
Hosted by Chris Januszewski · EN

  Digital Marketing Agency Los Angeles: Patty Ross on Building Golden State Marketing Where a business is located shouldn’t determine the opportunities available to it. Yet for many entrepreneurs around the world, perception can be just as challenging as competition. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, I sat down with Daniel Okafor, Founder and CEO of Brandoxel Media, to discuss building a digital marketing agency in Nigeria, winning clients internationally, and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs. Building a digital marketing agency in Los Angeles takes more than marketing expertise. It requires persistence, relationships, and the ability to adapt as clients and technology evolve. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, I sat down with Patty Ross, Founder and CEO of Golden State Marketing, to discuss her journey from journalism to entrepreneurship, building an agency from the California wine industry, and why social capital can be just as valuable as financial capital. Why a Digital Marketing Agency in Los Angeles Requires More Than Marketing Skills Patty never planned to become an agency owner. After beginning her career in journalism, she found herself helping wineries navigate the emerging world of e-commerce and digital marketing. As more businesses asked for support, what started as freelance consulting naturally evolved into a full-service agency. Today, Golden State Marketing helps small businesses grow through social media, email marketing, websites, and digital strategy. From the Wine Industry to Entrepreneurship One of the most interesting parts of Patty’s story is how entrepreneurship found her rather than the other way around. Working closely with wineries gave her first-hand experience helping businesses embrace digital channels long before they became standard practice. Those early relationships laid the foundation for what would eventually become Golden State Marketing. Why Relationships Matter More Than Ever Throughout our conversation, Patty returned to one recurring theme: relationships. Building a business in Los Angeles means competing alongside thousands of talented entrepreneurs. Her advice is simple—invest in people, build your reputation, and never underestimate the value of networking. In a city built on connections, social capital often becomes your greatest competitive advantage. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Patty Ross and Her Journey 02:09 From Journalism to Digital Marketing 04:50 The Evolution of Golden State Marketing 09:30 Focus and Services of Golden State Marketing 13:05 Building a Business in Los Angeles 20:17 Advice for Aspiring Agency Owners Helping Small Businesses Grow Golden State Marketing focuses on helping small businesses that don’t have the resources for an in-house marketing department. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Patty’s team works closely with clients to understand their goals before recommending the right mix of digital marketing services. Advice for Future Agency Owners Patty’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is refreshingly practical. Find your niche, build a clear plan, and don’t expect success to happen overnight. Growing an agency requires consistency, resilience, and a genuine passion for helping clients succeed. As she explains, entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line—but it’s a rewarding journey for those willing to keep learning. Patty Ross Links: goldenstatemarketing.com LinkedIn

Joey Waid is the Founder of Phone2Table, an Austin-based startup developing a grocery shopping and meal planning platform that helps consumers make healthier, more informed purchasing decisions. His entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by customer discovery, continuous product testing, and a passion for solving everyday problems through technology. Based at Capital Factory in Austin, Joey is committed to building products that evolve through real-world feedback rather than assumptions. Alongside growing Phone2Table, he is a strong advocate for balancing entrepreneurship with family, health, and long-term personal fulfillment.

Jeen Filz is the Chief Operating Officer of Bottle Nexus, a leading alcohol e-commerce platform helping beverage brands build direct relationships with consumers while navigating the complexities of the US three-tier distribution system. His career spans premium spirits, brand marketing, Diageo, and digital commerce. Originally from the Netherlands, Jeen has spent his career helping some of the world's leading beverage brands embrace digital marketing, e-commerce, and data-driven customer engagement. Through Bottle Nexus, he is helping redefine how alcohol brands grow in the digital era.

Daniel Okafor is the Founder and CEO of Brandoxel Media, a Nigerian digital marketing agency helping businesses grow through branding, websites, SEO, and digital marketing strategies. He is passionate about helping organizations solve business challenges while building long-term client relationships based on trust and measurable results. Alongside growing Brandoxel Media, Daniel is committed to mentoring young entrepreneurs and promoting innovation throughout Nigeria. His mission is to demonstrate that African businesses can compete globally while inspiring others to embrace entrepreneurship, technology, and continuous learning.

Ude Rosales is the Founder of Digital Pulse Innovations, an Austin-based Hispanic marketing agency specializing in websites, SEO, paid advertising, and culturally authentic marketing strategies. Drawing on his experience growing up between Wisconsin and South Texas, he helps businesses build meaningful relationships with both English and Spanish-speaking audiences. Beyond agency leadership, Ude is passionate about mentorship, community engagement, and creating opportunities for the next generation of marketers. Through Digital Pulse Innovations, he continues the entrepreneurial legacy started by his family's print business while helping organizations grow through authentic, relationship-driven marketing.

Kelsey Gilbert-Kreiling is the Founder and CEO of Week of the Website, a Chicago-based agency that helps businesses launch strategic Squarespace websites through a unique one-week sprint process. With a background in fashion design, hospitality, and digital strategy, she has spent more than a decade helping organizations create websites that support growth, visibility, and customer engagement. In addition to leading Week of the Website, Kelsey is the creator of Eventually Ticketing, a Squarespace-native event ticketing platform. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, product development, AI-powered workflows, and building businesses that create space for both professional success and family life.

Paul Lascault is the CEO of Long Road Transportation, a transportation and drayage company serving customers throughout the Pacific Northwest. With extensive experience in freight movement, fleet operations, and supply chain management, Paul has built a reputation for operational excellence and customer-focused service. As a logistics leader, Paul believes success comes from combining strong relationships, disciplined operations, and a motivated team. His expertise spans transportation strategy, port logistics, equipment management, and navigating the complex challenges facing modern supply chains.

Randy Vlasic is the Founder and CEO of LIWMI Logistics, a freight brokerage focused on helping middle-market companies optimize transportation, improve visibility, and create better customer experiences. After building and successfully exiting his first logistics business, Randy launched LIWMI Logistics with a mission to create a company centered around relationships, purpose, and long-term impact. Beyond logistics, Randy is the host of the Life Is What We Make It podcast and an advocate for personal growth, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Through his content and social media presence, he shares lessons learned from business, family life, and overcoming personal challenges to help others build meaningful lives and careers.

Pietro Mina is the CEO of Uno Web Design, a Mexico-based digital marketing agency specializing in web design, SEO, and AI-powered visibility strategies. After teaching himself web development and marketing, Pietro built the agency from the ground up, serving clients across Mexico and the United States. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and human-centered business, Pietro has expanded beyond traditional web design into SEO, AI search optimization, and community-focused projects. Together with his wife, he is also developing Abordo Hub, a creative initiative designed to help artists, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations thrive in the digital age.

Jason Boyce is the Founder and CEO of Avenue7Media, a leading e-commerce agency that helps brands grow on Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, and other online retail channels. As one of the early Amazon sellers, he has firsthand experience building and scaling businesses in the evolving world of e-commerce. Today, Jason leads a global team focused on helping brands navigate marketplace complexity through strategic planning, operational excellence, and his proprietary Seven Avenues framework. His expertise spans product development, marketplace growth, competitive analysis, and emerging technologies such as AI.