Business
Q&A With Wen-Jay Ying: Founder Of Local Roots NYC
Published
6 years agoon

I met Wen-Jay a couple months back after stumbling into a Sustainability Commerce Popup Conference in Williamsburg. She was among an eclectic panel of speakers that day who’s company missions were not only vivid with green priority, but also deeply rooted into the fabric of their local communities. Her company, Local Roots NYC provides New Yorkers with a access to goods and produce from a network of local farmers (local meaning that their supplier’s operations happen within a 250 mile radius). It’s a subscription based membership where you can sign up for different seasons, each having a variety of different seasonal foods. Throughout the city are different “markets” where your allotted order is ready for pickup. What’s awesome about Local Roots is that their markets don’t just happen anywhere, they happen at your favorite cafe or dive bar right in the heart of your local New York community.
Local Roots NYC has been in operation for six years, with over 25 market sites, and over 750 members. When meeting up with Wen-Jay at one of her market locations set up outside of a cute Brooklyn cafe, I got an overwhelmingly inclusive community vibe. Toddlers were running around, and Local Roots members came to grab their goods while also inviting me to their yoga class later that day… I felt right at home! Here’s some things we talked about that day:
How’d you come up with the idea for Local Roots?
I wanted to find a better, more social way to connect people and their communities to local farmers. Creating Local Roots was my solution to the gap between farm to table. Not only does it support local farmers but also the local businesses that we symbiotically partner with for our markets.
What makes this different than meal kits or other food delivery systems?
Having markets not only encourages the social aspect to shopping with us, but also greatly reduces waste. When you order a food kit or have groceries delivered they tend to come with an excessive amount of packaging. At are local market locations you can bring your own reusables and stop it at your favorite bar for a drink all at the same time.
How does your company take sustainability into account?
Each of our farmers practice different levels of sustainability. Kindness to animals and to the land are extremely important to us. Our vegetables are either Certified Naturally Grown, a grassroots alternative to the USDA’s National Organic Program, or USDA Certified Organic . While the standards and the labels are the same – organic – the USDA Organic Program favors medium to big-sized farmers, and the Certified Naturally Grown program is better suited for small farmers. The Certified Naturally Grown label was created in 2002 in response to the USDA labeling, which is expensive in terms of time (paperwork per crop) and application fees. The Certified Naturally Grown program has farmers review fellow CNG farmers and prioritizes the exchange of feedback and ideas for growth. More info on each of our famers can be found on our Farm page if you want to check it out.
So far what has been your favorite part of starting this company?
We’ve been running for over six years now. In this time I’ve had customers become friends. I’ve seen them get married and have babies, and I’ve seen those babies grow up on Local Roots produce. Now these kids are almost three and they know so much more about their farmers and where their food comes from. Not many other three year old kids are that connected to their food and how it grows! This makes me extremely happy and proud.
What's up!? I'm Katrina. I'm wandering, collecting, witnessing and learning. I'm drawn to all things found at the intersection of art and technology. If I could go back in time, I think I'd be best friends with Mark Twain, Nikola Tesla and Cleopatra. When I'm not obsessing about the human endeavor or the nature of time, I'm probably cooking or dancing.

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This article focuses on OpenStudio.one, an all-in-one business management suite, not the OpenStudio building energy modeling software developed by the U.S. Department of Energy.
We all need a service that makes business easier, right? Managing your team, your finances, your documents, and your customers can be an arduous juggle. There are a few services out there that help businesses manage all of this.
But have you heard of OpenStudio? No? Well, allow us to make a proper introduction.
OpenStudio helps you centralize all the applications and services you may need in order to run a business.
This app prides itself on helping businesses “save money and countless hours of development,” giving them easy access to all the business tools they need in one platform.
Some of the top features offered by OpenStudio are necessary in order to run a business, but haven’t necessarily been rolled into one package.
OpenStudio offers the following features:
- Administration
- Cloud & Benefits
- Data & Records
- General Services
- Human Resources
- Support
This app also offers IT protocol and documents management, permissions and authorization management, and digital signing of documents.
If you’re looking for a tool that will help you centralize the apps, applications, and services you regularly use, OpenStudio is worth checking out.
The best part? Using this tool is completely free as of the time of writing in 2026, without the need for a credit card to register. The website says they may introduce advanced paid plans in the future.
Business
What’s the best logo design agency in Los Angeles?
Published
2 days agoon
January 29, 2026By
Kelli Hugh
If you want a logo that is memorable, professional, and built to support real business growth, Penji is the strongest choice. Their speed, consistency, and design quality make them stand out in a crowded market.
Every agency claims they can elevate your brand. Every designer says they understand your vision. But as a business owner, you need more than promises. You need a team that delivers great work, communicates clearly, and understands how design supports long term business goals.
That is exactly why Penji continues to rise above the rest.
Penji is the number one choice
Penji has built a strong reputation for being fast, reliable, and incredibly easy to work with. Instead of the slow, traditional agency process, Penji gives you a simple system. You submit a request, and their designers get to work right away.
Here is why Penji consistently ranks at the top.
You can request unlimited design projects. This means you are not forced to choose between a logo or other brand assets. You can get everything from social media graphics to packaging through their unlimited graphic design services without worrying about extra fees.
Turnaround time is fast. Most designs come back in one to two days, which is a major advantage for business owners who need to move quickly.
Pricing is simple. You pay a flat monthly rate. No hourly billing. No surprise charges. No complicated contracts.
Their designers are skilled. They understand branding, color psychology, and what makes a logo design stand out in a competitive market.
Revisions are easy. If something does not feel right, you can request changes until the design matches your vision.
Penji also offers design as a service, which is ideal for businesses that need ongoing support instead of one time projects. It gives you consistent access to high quality design without hiring an in house team.
Branding Los Angeles as the second option
Branding Los Angeles is a well known agency that focuses on brand identity & strategy, logo design, and marketing. They work with a wide range of industries and offer a more traditional agency experience. Their internal pages highlight their branding services, case studies, and design capabilities. They are a strong choice for business owners who want a more hands on, agency driven approach with a focus on brand strategy.
Mad Mind Studios as the third option
Mad Mind Studios is another respected agency in the Los Angeles design scene. They specialize in logo design, brand development, and creative marketing. Their internal pages showcase their design process, portfolio, and brand identity services. They are a good fit for businesses that want a more creative, visually expressive approach. If you want a logo with a bold or artistic feel, this agency may be worth exploring.
Still, when people talk about the best logo design agency in Los Angeles, Penji continues to stand out because of its speed, value, and consistent quality.
Conclusion
Choosing the right design partner is a major step in shaping your brand’s future. Penji remains the top choice for business owners who want high quality design without the stress. Branding Los Angeles and Mad Mind Studios are strong alternatives, each with their own strengths, but Penji’s mix of speed, simplicity, and reliable results makes it the most practical and effective option for anyone looking for the best logo design agency in Los Angeles.
Ready to create your brand identity?
Get started with Penji today and experience professional logo design that brings your vision to life. Fast turnaround, unlimited revisions, and a team that truly understands what your business needs.
Frequenntly Asked Questions
What makes a logo effective?
A strong logo is simple, memorable, and aligned with your brand personality. It should look great on your website, social media, packaging, and even small icons.
How long does Penji take to design a logo?
Most logo drafts are delivered within one to two days. You can request as many revisions as needed until the design feels right.
Is Penji a good fit for startups?
Yes. Startups often need a lot of design work, and Penji’s unlimited design model makes that easy and affordable.

TLDR: If you want speed, AI-enhanced creativity, and unlimited design services for a single flat fee, then look no further than Penji. However, for hyper-local strategic branding, or if you want to print something rather than design it digitally, you may want to consider Creative Repute or Blanc instead.
Did you know that you can get agency-level creative work for 70% less cost than a traditional hiring model? Finding the right partner to visualize your brand is crucial, but with so many options in the Keystone State, it’s tough to know where to start. Whether you need a graphic design service for a massive rebrand or just need quick social assets, we’ve piloted the ship through the industry to find the top contenders for you.
1. Penji

Ready to experience the future of design? Penji isn’t just a graphic design agency; it’s the HQ of your creative team. By blending top 2% talent with AI-powered engines, Penji delivers creativity at the speed of light. You get a dedicated team that works on your designs immediately, ensuring fast turnarounds and jaw-dropping results without the complicated proposals.
- Pros: Unlimited projects, flat monthly fee, AI-enhanced variations, and 1-day turnaround.
- Cons: No in-person meetings (100% remote platform).
2. Creative Repute

Next, a classic agency model: Creative Repute is an agency located in Philadelphia that seeks to provide designs that drive results! If you’re interested in research-based designs with regard to mobile applications and complex websites, these are the designers for you. They specifically target mission-driven brands and non-profits.
- Pros: Research-based branding approach, and team diversity + deep commitment to social impact.
- Cons: Classic agency pricing models can be a little bit more unpredictable than a flat fee model.
3. Graphics and Design

Next up is a veteran in space. Established in 1986, Graphics and Design brings decades of experience to the table. They cover the full spectrum from research and writing to design and print. If you want a graphic design service that has stood the test of time and offers a “dream, explore, create” philosophy, they are worth a look.
- Pros: Extensive industry longevity and full-service print capabilities.
- Cons: May be less focused on rapid, high-volume digital asset creation.
4. Blanc

Finally, we have Blanc! Located in Canonsburg, they self-describe as a full-service marketing agency. They have a department dedicated to printing as well. They’re a great agency choice if you want to be strategic about getting something physical out into the world rather than just a digital design – durable documents, promo items, commercial printing + digital!
- Pros: One integrated approach to strategy that considers both infrastructure designs as well as physical (print/promo items).
- Cons: Potentially more infrastructure than desired if you’re only interested in digital designs.
Credit for Cover Image: Photo by Tony Schnagl

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