What I’m Up To
Partnering with my long-time friend Stephanie LaFlora to launch a platform for hairstylists. Our belief is that the world needs more stylists who are experts in textured hair from curly to coily. Our first product connects stylists who have created digital education and want to offer their courses at a discount to stylists who want to advance their skills.
Wharton's Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program
For the next 12 weeks, this course will be a priority in my life. I registered because I find myself wanting help. I’ve unfortunately been a person often stuck trying to do and learn it all on my own.
A mentor once said to me, “Ryan, downtown represents all of your big ideas. You’re walking to the bus stop to catch the bus to get there. On your way, you’re walking past people asking them, ‘Where’s the bus stop?” You need to tell people you’re headed downtown because someone is getting in their car to drive there.”
Help is a good thing.
This particular project was born from an itch my friend, Jake Smeester, needed scratched. It was an itch to make something meaningful of his own alongside his family and his work. He hypothesized that he wanted to make a podcast but didn’t know what to make it about. Enter Ryan Findley and me.
We’ve been friends for two decades and find ourselves in very different life phases while experiencing some degree of this same itch. We dive into it together.
My grandpa, Paul Holdeman is 95 years old and he’s thoughtful and good at communicating those thoughts. This is an ongoing conversation between he and me, grandpa and grandson, about living life well, with love, and to the last day.
We’ll go as long as we can.
Learning Digital Marketing
I’m aggressively learning how to create campaigns, run targeted ads, and move people in the direction of great ideas. I think there are a lot of other projects that will flow from this.
Best Year Project
One of the lessons I’ve learned over the last few years is that there are many common experiences occurring but not enough connection between those people. When the connection is made, incredible things become possible. I’d like to start connecting folks with big aspirations but a lack of margin, connections, and momentum to make their biggest ideas come to life. I’m starting to post about it here.
Vacation Rental Market Networks
Every small vacation town has a ton of businesses to connect together. Maintenance, cleaning, experiences, restaurants, shops, breweries, vacation renters all could operate with more efficiency and collaboration. This will not only create enhanced experiences for visitors but more importantly, an enhanced experience for the local community.