What this means for Orange residents: a locally based agency that employs about 35 people has been recognized for a workplace culture that the county says is shaped largely by employee feedback. The award underscores Orange’s growing profile as a home for niche digital firms and may influence hiring, client decisions and local business partnerships.
Smarty Social, a social-first digital agency that specializes in healthcare marketing and is headquartered in Orange, was named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal, the company announced July 14.
How companies are evaluated
The awards program evaluates organizations using a two-part process: an assessment of workplace policies and practices and confidential employee surveys. According to the announcement, employee feedback accounts for about 80% of the overall score. That weighting places emphasis on current staff experience and engagement when compiling the list.
"This recognition confirms something we’ve always believed – that culture is the foundation of good work," said Jami Eidsvold, founder and CEO of Smarty Social.
The company emphasizes a culture it calls The Smarty Way, built around three principles: Fearless Ownership, Boundless Connection and Intentional Creation. Those principles, the firm says, guide client service, internal collaboration and staff development.
- Founded: 2013 (company statement)
- Employees: approximately 35
- Specialty: healthcare-focused social media and digital marketing
Local context and implications
For Orange residents, the recognition signals continued diversification of the city's employment base beyond traditional retail and professional services. Small, specialized firms such as Smarty Social can have outsized local impact by hiring nearby talent, contracting with other local businesses and participating in business associations.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Awarding body | Orange County Business Journal |
| Evaluation weight | ~80% employee feedback |
| Company size | ~35 employees |
The company tells clients it works with leading healthcare brands and helps connect innovations with users via social platforms. Local officials have increasingly highlighted small creative and tech-adjacent firms as part of Orange’s economic development strategy. While the award is regional, the agency’s presence in the city contributes to that narrative.
Smarty Social’s recognition follows the Orange County Business Journal’s annual program, which partners with Workforce Research Group to identify workplaces with strong cultures, policies and employee engagement. The program's methodology and the emphasis on confidential employee surveys aim to highlight organizations where staff report a positive experience.
Officials at Smarty Social said the honor reflects their internal values and the people who make the work possible. For job seekers and local businesses, the list can serve as a guide to firms that prioritize workplace culture in Orange County.
