Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ben Laudicano. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ben, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you got your first non-friend, non-family client. Paint the picture for us so we can feel the same excitement you felt on that day.
Being asked to design a logo that captured Metallicallie’s mission, spirit, and personal style presented an exciting challenge, something I had never experienced before. After a handful of concepts and a few rounds of revisions, we ended up with a cute/creepy illustration of Callie inspired by the works of Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton. Branding Callie’s unique business not only challenged me to think outside the realm of conventional design but also taught me the importance of truly understanding a client’s vision and the space they occupy. It was satisfying to see the logo applied to t-shirts and other collateral, since what started as a simple sketch was now brought to life in the world—and better yet—people in heavy metal bands said it was cool.
Ben, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up, I was always “good with computers.” This probably stemmed from the times when my mom would bring home pieces of old laptops for us to build together—I still remember the excitement when she came home with 512MB of RAM, funny how far technology has come. As a kid, I accidentally learned basic HTML by making edits to my Neopets profile and started messing around with graphics software to change the wallpaper in The Sims. I tried making games, videos, illustrations, music, and more as a means to get characters and concepts out of my head and into the world where they could be shared with others. Following this curiosity led me to Providence, Rhode Island, where I studied graphic design and website development.
Today, I am the designer/developer behind Local Robot, Providence’s premier website design studio for small businesses. I help brands of all sizes bring their ideas to life with custom websites, graphic design, and technology solutions. My clients are typically established business owners, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, or individuals just looking to do something out-of-the-ordinary. Local Robot only accepts projects we can 100% stand behind and are committed to our work. All partners are expected to be passionate about their product, community, and impact.
As a WordPress developer, my projects typically feature custom functionalities and software integrations. A recent example is a website I developed for The Downtown Improvement District in Providence, Rhode Island. This site boasts a searchable business directory, compiles news and events from multiple local outlets, displays live weather updates, and offers smooth integration with the city’s 311 platform. This approach ensures the website not only shares the city’s narrative but also supports the broader community by presenting information in a user-friendly manner.
Local Robot also works on homebrew projects, purely for enjoyment, without the pressures of client demands or deadlines. The latest creation is VPET, an online multiplayer virtual pet game powered by WordPress. It’s deliberately simple—users can register, personalize their pet, provide it with food, and visit other users’ pets. In a digital environment often dominated by advertisements, VPET offers a refreshing break, allowing for a brief, enjoyable diversion within a simple browser game.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been leveraging the power of word-of-mouth referrals, which account for approximately 80% of my business. This success highlights the significant impact that positive firsthand experiences have over traditional forms of advertising when working with business owners. My strategy has been to ensure that every client—no matter what size—has such an experience. This approach often turns my clients into long-term partners, particularly those who subscribe to ongoing support or hosting services. Occasionally, this requires going beyond the agreed scope of work, hopping on impromptu calls, or fixing software bugs after hours, but I’d rather make time in my schedule for a friend in need than tell them to figure it out themselves.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yourlocalrobot.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localrobotpvd/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benlaudicano/
- Google Reviews: https://g.page/r/CX06foFv59xPEBA