Cast Iron LA Review: A Boutique Marketing Agency That Gets Small Businesses

Running a small business is tough enough without having to juggle marketing, social media, and ad campaigns on top of everything else. That’s exactly the problem Cast Iron LA was built to solve. Founded by Luis Ramirez and J. Barbush—two seasoned creatives who left the big agency world—this boutique marketing shop specializes in helping smaller brands punch above their weight.

After struggling to find an agency that would take my growing but still modest business seriously, I decided to give Cast Iron LA a shot. Here’s what I discovered.

The Big Agency Experience, Without the Big Agency Price Tag

One of the first things that stood out about Cast Iron LA was their background. Coming from major agencies, Luis and J. bring a level of polish and strategic thinking that’s rare in smaller marketing teams. They don’t just throw together generic social posts—they craft campaigns with intention, blending sharp copywriting and sleek design.

But unlike the big firms they came from, they actually want to work with small businesses. No gatekeeping, no insane retainers—just solid marketing help for brands that need it.

Hands-On, No-Fluff Approach

A lot of agencies talk about "strategy" but then disappear into endless meetings and vague reports. Not Cast Iron LA. Their approach is refreshingly straightforward:

• They listen first – Before pitching ideas, they took time to understand my business, my audience, and my pain points.
• They keep it lean – No bloated teams or unnecessary layers. Just the two founders (and a tight network of collaborators) handling the work directly.
• They focus on execution – Instead of drowning me in jargon, they delivered actual ads, social content, and campaign ideas I could use right away.

Creative That Actually Works

As a small business owner, I don’t have time for marketing that doesn’t drive results. Cast Iron LA’s strength is in blending creativity with practicality. Their ads didn’t just look good—they converted. Whether it was Instagram carousels, email campaigns, or landing page copy, everything had a clear purpose.

They also have a knack for making brands feel bigger than they are. My business isn’t a household name (yet), but their work made it look like one.

Minor Trade-Offs to Consider

No service is perfect, and Cast Iron LA has a few quirks worth noting:

• Small team = limited bandwidth – Since it’s mostly the founders running things, they’re selective with clients. If you need a massive, always-on agency, they might not be the right fit.
• Not the cheapest option – They’re reasonably priced for the quality, but if you’re on a shoestring budget, DIY might still be your only option.
• Less formal structure – If you prefer rigid processes and corporate-style reporting, their scrappy, hands-on vibe might feel too loose.

Final Thoughts: Who Should Work With Cast Iron LA?

If you’re a small or mid-sized business that needs professional-grade marketing without the corporate agency baggage, Cast Iron LA is a fantastic choice. They’re especially great for founders who:

• Want agency-level creativity but don’t have the budget (or desire) to work with a giant firm.
• Need to offload marketing so they can focus on running their business.
• Value direct access to experienced creatives instead of being passed around a team.

They won’t be the right fit for everyone—especially if you need a huge, full-service operation—but for the right client, they’re a hidden gem in the LA marketing scene.