Today we’d like to introduce you to Leo Kildani.
Hi Leo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m currently a Computer Science student at San José State University. As I got closer to graduation, I started thinking seriously about what my career path would look like. With the rise of AI and the wave of tech layoffs affecting the industry, landing internships became increasingly competitive. Since internships are such an important step toward securing a full-time role in tech, I realized I needed to create opportunities for myself instead of waiting for one to appear.
That’s ultimately how E&L Marketing started. I recognized that many local home service businesses around Gilroy and the surrounding areas either didn’t have a strong digital presence or simply didn’t have the time and technical knowledge to build one. With my background in web development and experience working within the Google ecosystem, I saw an opportunity to help small businesses modernize their online presence through affordable websites, business marketing, and Google Business Profile optimization services.
In the beginning, it was definitely challenging. I had no prior experience running a business, selling services, or managing clients. At the same time, I was balancing school, hackathons, part-time jobs, and building E&L Marketing from the ground up. The first few months were really focused on learning, refining my services, understanding how to communicate value to business owners, and figuring out how to position myself as more than just another freelancer. I wanted clients to feel like they had a long-term technical partner they could trust.
One thing that separates E&L Marketing from many agencies is affordability and customization. Since I personally build and manage the backend systems for our websites and services, I’m not heavily reliant on expensive third-party platforms. That allows me to offer cost-effective solutions for businesses searching for things like service website cost in Gilroy or businesses looking to hire a web agency in Gilroy, CA without taking on enterprise-level pricing.
After laying the groundwork, the next challenge was earning trust and landing that first client. It took time, persistence, and a lot of outreach, but eventually I signed my first business. Since then, seeing clients genuinely happy with the results, whether through stronger online visibility, better branding, or improved customer engagement, has been the most rewarding part of building the company.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Building a business from scratch while balancing college, hackathons, part-time jobs, and personal responsibilities was challenging from the very beginning. Since I was still a full-time student, a lot of the growth happened in small increments. I focused heavily on consistency and improving the business little by little every day, and over time those small improvements started to compound.
Another major challenge was understanding the actual operational side of running a web development and business marketing agency. When I started researching industry-standard tools and software, I realized how expensive many agency platforms were, especially for a small business that’s just getting started. I also found that a lot of those systems were overly complicated for local service businesses and sometimes created unnecessary dependencies.
Because of my technical background, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of relying heavily on third-party platforms, I spent time learning automation, backend systems, and custom programming so I could build many of the tools and workflows myself. That process was time-intensive, but it ultimately became one of the biggest advantages of E&L Marketing. It allows me to provide more affordable and customized solutions for businesses looking to hire a web agency in Gilroy, CA, while also keeping services simpler, more transparent, and easier for clients to understand.
It also gave me greater control over quality and security. Since many of the systems are internally managed, I can ensure better integration between services like website management, Google Business Profile optimization services, and client communication without relying on dozens of disconnected tools. In the long run, those early struggles pushed me to build a stronger and more efficient foundation for the business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m the founder of E&L Marketing and currently a Computer Science student at San José State University. My background is heavily rooted in web development, software engineering, and modern digital systems. Over the years, I’ve participated in and won multiple Bay Area hackathons, which really strengthened my ability to solve problems quickly, build efficient systems, and stay current with emerging technologies like AI and automation.
At E&L Marketing, I specialize in helping local service businesses establish and grow their digital presence through affordable, high-quality web development and business marketing solutions. That includes custom website design, Google Business Profile optimization services, SEO-focused service websites, and digital infrastructure tailored specifically for small businesses. A lot of the businesses I work with are incredibly skilled at the services they provide, but they may not have the time or technical background to manage the online side of their business effectively.
What I’m most proud of is building a business that combines technical expertise with accessibility. Many agencies charge enterprise-level prices or rely heavily on prebuilt systems that limit customization. Since I personally build and manage much of the backend infrastructure, I’m able to provide more flexible and affordable solutions for businesses looking to hire a web agency in Gilroy, CA or improve their online visibility without overspending.
I think what sets me apart is that I approach projects as both a developer and a long-term partner. I’m not just designing websites, I’m helping businesses create systems that generate trust, improve visibility, and support growth over time. Whether it’s building a service website, improving local SEO, or helping a company manage and optimize its Google Business Profile, I focus on creating practical solutions that genuinely help small businesses compete in today’s digital environment.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
A characteristic of mine that I believe is the most important for my successes (that I have achieved so far) is my outgoingness and willingness to tackle new ideas. The largest obstacle for many people, including myself at times, is taking that first step towards achieving some goal. With the current state of AI, starting a new business or creating a new app is easier than ever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.efficientlocalmarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/efficientlocalmarketing/
