Today we’d like to introduce you to Ed Fang.
Hi Ed, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into the world of marketing started in enterprise software development, where I spent over 20 years building the technical architecture for the corporate sector. I eventually reached a point where I wanted to take those high-level skills and apply them somewhere they could make a tangible, personal difference.
That led to the founding of Local Root Marketing, a partnership between myself and Dan Nathan. Together, we bring over 40 years of combined professional experience to the table. We’ve built a ‘full-stack’ agency that covers the two most important pillars of a modern business: the technical foundation and the brand identity.
I lead the technology and development side, utilizing my 20+ years of experience to handle everything from website design and architecture to deep-dive SEO. My partner, Dan Nathan, brings his own 20+ years of expertise from corporate marketing departments, specializing in branding, rebranding, and growth strategies like Google Ads and social media.
We saw that many ‘Mom and Pop’ shops in Simi Valley and across Ventura County were being left behind because they didn’t have access to enterprise-grade expertise at an affordable price. By merging my technical background with Dan’s branding and marketing savvy, we’ve been able to give these local businesses a professional edge they usually can’t find elsewhere. We’re proud to help our neighbors not just ‘be online,’ but to have a brand and a technical presence that truly reflects the quality of their work.
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 hasn’t been a smooth ride, but as any small business owner will tell you, the struggles are usually where the most growth happens.
The biggest challenge for us was the transition from being experts in our fields to being business owners in a new environment. Even with 40 combined years of experience in enterprise software and corporate marketing, running a business in California was a completely different animal. We had never navigated the specific regulatory and administrative landscape here, so that first year was a massive learning curve.
While we were busy ‘learning the ropes’ of establishing the business—the paperwork, the filings, the local compliance—we were also on the ground trying to secure our first clients and build trust in the community. It was a period of intense, high-stakes multitasking. We were working around the clock to ensure our internal foundation was solid while simultaneously delivering top-tier technical and branding work for our early partners.
It was a lot of hard work, and there were certainly moments where we had to pivot or rethink our approach. However, that experience ended up being one of our greatest assets. Because we went through the ‘growing pains’ of starting a business in Simi Valley ourselves, we can empathize with our clients in a way a large, detached agency never could. We don’t just understand their marketing; we understand the hustle it takes to keep a local business running.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Local Root Marketing, we like to say that we aren’t just a vendor; we’re a partner. Because of our 40+ years of combined experience in enterprise software development and corporate branding, we specialize in giving ‘Mom and Pop’ shops the high-level digital ‘horsepower’ usually reserved for big corporations.
What we do & What we’re known for:
I handle the technical side—custom website design and deep-dive SEO—ensuring that the digital foundation of a business is rock-solid. My partner, Dan Nathan, handles the branding, social media, and Google Ads. We are known for making sure local businesses actually show up where it matters. In today’s market, if your brand doesn’t appear in a Google search or an AI query, you effectively don’t exist to the modern consumer. We bridge that gap.
What sets us apart:
What truly differentiates us is our empathy. Having navigated the steep learning curve of starting a business in California ourselves, we understand the ‘pain’ of the small business owner. When we work with a client, we help them with far more than just marketing; we share our business experience, offer operational advice, and provide support in every way we can. We also intentionally set our price point below market value. We want small businesses to have a powerful voice and a professional presence without being priced out of the digital world.
What we are most proud of:
Brand-wise, I am most proud of our ‘community-first’ heart. We are very easy-going with our partners, and we’ve even provided free services to struggling local businesses to help them get their start online. We believe that when our neighbors succeed, the whole community wins.
What we want readers to know:
We want the readers of Central Coast Voyager to know that we are here to be your advocates. Whether you are a new startup or a long-standing local landmark, we want to help you claim your space in the digital world. Our mission is to make sure the best businesses in our community are the easiest ones to find.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people who know me through Local Root Marketing see the technical side of my brain—the SEO structures and the website architecture. What might surprise them is that when I’m not behind a screen, I’m usually working with my hands in much more traditional ways.
I’m an automotive enthusiast at heart, and I spend a lot of my spare time restoring and driving my classic car. There’s something incredibly rewarding about the ‘analog’ nature of a vintage engine; it requires the same kind of troubleshooting and precision as coding, but with a lot more grease on your hands!
When I’m not in the garage, you’ll likely find me in the kitchen. Lately, I’ve become obsessed with the art of bread making. I’ve been experimenting with everything from hand-rolled bagels to the perfect simple loaf, and I’ve even started making my own fresh pasta from scratch.
To me, restoring a 30-year-old car or waiting for a loaf of bread to rise is a lot like building a brand. It takes patience, a respect for the process, and a focus on the small details that make the final result special. Whether I’m tuning an engine, kneading dough, or optimizing a client’s Google ranking, I’m always driven by that same love for building things that last.
Pricing:
- $350 monthly for Digital Marketing
- $150 monthly for Website Maintance
- $400 one time fee Website design
- $800 one time fee E-Commerce Site
- $500 monthly includes everything from above
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wearelocalroot.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localrootmarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/localrootmarketing
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/localrootmarketing/
