Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Appell.
Hi Ryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
The Ryan Apparel brand is significantly intertwined with my personal life. What started in Ohio as a personal portfolio and way to get design work in front of more eyes, has turned into a small family business in Nashville, Tennessee, that is beneficial to many artists and musicians growing their brand.
After having a hand in designing or print in nearly every t-shirt on my college campus, I began to work professionally in the screen printing world. Graphics and design have always been my specialty, but with access to new equipment and printing techniques, I became intrigued with learning everything I could. With my expanding knowledge in the print world, I would add several ANDs to my job title: “Designer & Printer & Production Manager”.
With some life changes and job opportunities, my brother Rob Appell and I left our comfort zone in Ohio and started our new opportunities in Nashville, Tennessee. Although very grateful for the opportunities that brought me to Nashville, I personally couldn’t justify working for a company that went against my ethical values. After walking away, from what I thought was a dream job, I began investing in myself and my future. Taking my knowledge and experience from the previous decade of work, I began the process of purchasing my own equipment and production space.
Through the many low points of what the year 2020 brought, I was able to build a successful platform to allow other businesses and musicians to continue to sell their t-shirts in a time when there were no in-person sales happening. What continues to be an ever-evolving brand, the Ryan Apparel brand is currently focussing on the efforts of boosting the musicians and artists who are just beginning the journey of building their brand and identity in the merch world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The decision to go all in as an independent, small business owner is never a smooth road. There are always going to be major roadblocks that every small business owner faces. Like in life, when my business takes on a struggle or friction, I take that as a challenge and figure out how I’m going to come out better on the other side.
My wife, Lacey, helps me keep focused and my heart with God so that the struggles faced, feel insignificant compared to the big picture of life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a hybrid Graphic Designer/T-Shirt Printer/Merch Guru. There are a lot of graphic designers, and there are a lot of t-shirt printers in the world. I do both, and that’s where I stand out.
I design based on my knowledge of print production and print with design in mind. This allows me to stand out in my field, as no one with my experience, is going about merch the way I am, in Nashville.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Anyone who knows me knows my family is close-knit. My dad introduced me to the world of t-shirt printing. My mom has always encouraged (and more times than not, questioned) my crazy ideas.
My brother has been by my side from our soccer days to our Nashville lives. My wife encourages my creativity and my drive to be more Christ-like every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ryanapparelmerch.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanapparel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanapparelusa
