Speaker 2: 0:17

welcome back to market it with atma, where we give you the tips, tools and strategies to help your business succeed. Today we have on the show Ryan Muehl. Ryan, thank you for joining us today.

Speaker 1: 0:29

Thank you, yeah, thanks for having me here.

Speaker 2: 0:31

Awesome. Well, to start off, can you give us a little about your journey, what you do now and what kind of led you to what you're doing now?

Speaker 1: 0:40

Yeah, so I have a pretty unique background. I'm an architecture major. I went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, new York, studied architecture for five years. It's a five-year accredited program, so I didn't have to go to another university to get a master's and I graduated with a bachelor's in architecture and a minor in graphic design. With a bachelor's in architecture and a minor in graphic design. In school I always, you know, was intrigued by the storyboard layouts and creating graphics for my projects. Yeah, and it just it was something that I was really starting to get, starting to get passionate about and I took a couple graphic design classes to get the minor and it was kind of one area I was trying to get into. But the teachers were like you should really pursue architecture because you're going to school for that, and I was like you know, it's a good point, I'll definitely pursue.

Speaker 2: 1:36

They saw you had the mind for it. So how did architecture lead to what you do now in graphic design? Was that more of a passion that you had?

Speaker 1: 1:44

Yeah, so it was definitely a passion. I've been in the architecture industry for 10 years and it was just something that, you know, I decided I want to pursue what I want to do for the rest of my life, you know, and my 10 years of architecture really trained me to be in both graphic design and architecture, which is a pretty cool, unique.

Speaker 2: 2:13

Yeah, integration, yeah, integration. I didn't even think about how those two would correlate so much, especially now in the 21st century where we have all this digital presence.

Speaker 1: 2:21

Yeah, yeah. So with architecture, you know they really focus on, there's this kind of battle between form follows function and function follows form. Okay, and the school I went to was more trained in the function follows form, so more of how you design a building through basically art right, so how can you build something unique and cool and then have people move through that?

Speaker 2: 2:47

Okay.

Speaker 1: 2:48

So that kind of translates to graphic design in a way, where you are designing a piece for somebody and then that piece is telling the story.

Speaker 2: 2:58

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 3:00

So there's the correlation there, and that's why I was like, yeah, this is something I definitely want to pursue.

Speaker 2: 3:05

So there's a lot of areas to graphic design. You can do print design, you can do digital, you can do all kinds of different things. What specifically do you do you navigate towards?

Speaker 1: 3:17

Yeah, so I primarily go towards brand identity. So, logo design, I focus on color theory, font selection, font building, um, and then putting that all together for a new business. Um, someone who's looking to build a personal brand? Um, that's kind of my, my area of expertise. I would say, um, I love doing that stuff, but I, I really do an array of everything, um, print merchandise, merchandise building, user experience design. So websites, but yeah, it's a fun venture. I'm going on. You know you have to be a multifaceted tool in this business because it's you know, it's very challenging to just focus on one thing, right?

Speaker 2: 4:00

It is. It is and you mentioned before we got on our call today that you're interested in the sports side of the graphic design. So is there a specific industry you're trying to reach? Is there a specific design for that?

Speaker 1: 4:15

industry. Yeah, so kind of to go back a little bit, my whole life has been about sports. I grew up playing football and basketball. My whole life I was a state champion in football in the state of Pennsylvania. I, you know, I was a pole vaulter. In high school I ran track and field and then in college I played football at RPI for two years and then architecture took over my life, so I stopped that. But then when I moved down to Texas, uh, I played a year of semi-professional football, um, unpaid but still fun.

Speaker 2: 4:49

Um right yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:51

And uh, and actually now I'm a part of the DFW curling club, so I'm a curler Nice. It was something that I always wanted to do back in college, growing up, uh, being up in upstate New York, so uh brought that down here when the Olympics came around.

Speaker 1: 5:05

I was like well, man, I would really love to keep doing that. Yeah, but yeah, so anyways, that is why I kind of navigated towards sports architecture. Always wanted to do it. I worked for Populous for five years. Populous is a Kansas City-based architecture firm that designs stadiums, arenas for the NFL, NHL, NCAA, Wow.

Speaker 2: 5:29

So do you still do now that you have Ryan Mule Design? Do you do graphic design for the sports industry? What type of clients do you typically have?

Speaker 1: 5:38

Yeah, so my focus starting my own business is to get into the NIL space. Starting my own business is to get into the NIL space. So NIL is the name, image, likeness portion of the NCAA, where there was a big thing about it a couple years ago when athletes wanted to get paid for their name, image and likeness right.

Speaker 2: 5:56

Why not right Right, right, All these?

Speaker 1: 5:58

universities were getting a lot of money and they weren't getting their cuts.

Speaker 1: 6:02

So, now the NCAA has ruled that they can pursue getting paid for their name and they are able to build their own brands. Now, get clients to do commercials, sponsorships, all those things. So my focus is to reach out to these athletes to say hey, are you trying to build a personal brand? I'd love to be a part of your story. What can we do to build you a logo and a brand package so that when you go to create merchandise, you have something? Ready for people to print and ship.

Speaker 2: 6:43

To help them market themselves and help them sell merchandise to their fans Right yeah. That's wonderful. So you mentioned earlier that you'd have a recent success in bringing on a new client. Yeah, we at Advent Trinity teach the customer journey awareness, engagement, conversion, delight, advocation. So can you kind of tell us in those different phases, how you reached out and found this new client and how you build their brand, how you navigated that cycle with him?

Speaker 1: 7:16

Yeah, so this is kind of a different. It's not sports, it is entertainment related. So I'm currently working with an artist to develop some merchandise for their concerts and their website and stuff like that. So it's. It was really cool to kind of just put myself out there and send an email and just say hey, my name is Ryan, I'm a new freelance graphic designer. I'm looking to you, know, freelance graphic designer, I'm looking to build my brand and I would love to build yours. And they basically said, well, we don't have, we already have a brand, but we would love to bring you on to build some merchandise designs for us. And they gave me a test run and I made this poster for advertising purposes, for when people come to the concerts and they see these huge, massive digital billboards. And I sent it to them and they were like blown away, they loved it and they were like, all right, well, we're going to work with you on more projects. So that's where I'm at with that, yeah.

Speaker 2: 8:21

So that takes us through the awareness and engagement. You just reached out. Find their info and they pretty much gave you a chance to show them what you have, right, yeah. And so you made a digital billboard. Not only just print, You're doing the digital.

Speaker 1: 8:36

Yeah, I'm doing both.

Speaker 2: 8:36

That's the forefront of everything.

Speaker 1: 8:38

Now, right, yeah yeah, yeah, and I really try to stress. You know, I am a family-like atmosphere, so I'm not just going to pump out a job for you and then just leave you in the in hanging right. Right, I want to be there for, for every step of the way, everything you want to do, I want to be there, I want you involved. That's kind of my process is I'm designing, but this is your brand, so I want you to be a part of it, right?

Speaker 2: 9:04

so you want to keep them engaged yes with the, the step-by-step process, and do you let them know that up front? Yes, that you want a collaborative?

Speaker 1: 9:12

kind of workspace?

Speaker 2: 9:13

yes, I mean, I like to know everything that's going on.

Speaker 1: 9:16

So why not? Um and that's? And that's how the architecture industry is. It's all collaborative right so there's so much correlation between architecture and and graphic design and that's why I, kind of you know, followed my passion and just said you know what I'm gonna do this yeah, so on the last portion, the advocation portion, what strategies encourage your clients to refer you what?

Speaker 2: 9:39

what strategies encourage your clients to recommend you to their counterparts or their friends and family?

Speaker 1: 9:47

Yeah, I think they see me and they say this is a guy who works hard, he wants to be a part of something special and he will do everything he can to get me what I need, and that is something that I think a lot of people value. Um, so, to to to do that and follow through with it. I think you know it gets them to say, hey, this guy you should, you should. We'll refer you to other people that we know.

Speaker 2: 10:23

Because you've created that trust with them, right.

Speaker 1: 10:25

Creating the trust um building those relationships, I think is it's super important, I mean in anything.

Speaker 2: 10:31

Absolutely, I think, is it's super important, I mean in anything, absolutely. So what were the foundational steps that you've started making to establish Ryan Mule Design and separate from that architecture life?

Speaker 1: 10:41

Yeah, so I think you know building a strong social media presence very hard, but it's it's something that I'm always striving to do and just like reaching out to people, right, it's the connections you build is how your business grows.

Speaker 2: 11:00

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 11:01

At any rate, you want it to grow right, so it's doing. You know the dirty work of building designs and contacting people via email, cold calls. You know doing all that stuff to really put yourself out there.

Speaker 2: 11:17

And you mentioned you're going to networking events as well, getting in front of people so they can really feel within our world of AI. It's hard to really trust somebody unless they're right in front of you.

Speaker 1: 11:28

Right.

Speaker 2: 11:29

And so that really is. That's what we work off of the majority of the time Cause if you don't have trust, you really don't have anything.

Speaker 1: 11:36

And that's the thing too. Like you know, you can go to Fiverr and and pay for a logo for 250 bucks, right, and they pump it out in three days and say, here you go, you know, this is what you get. And they said, well, I really want this to change. Then you're like, okay, well, that's another 50 bucks. You know, here's, here's another day worth of work, I'll send it to you, right? You know, for me it's more about the process and getting to know the client and creating a brand story that really resonates with everyone on the other side and the ownership side. So if I can build that story and tell them like, hey, this is, this speaks to your brand, and they see that vision, that's another thing that just goes the extra mile to building my brand.

Speaker 2: 12:19

Absolutely so. You mentioned you're on a lot of social media platforms advertising for yourself. When you do your graphic design for your clients, are you creating content for their social media as well? Is that something you offer?

Speaker 1: 12:31

Yeah, that is something I offer Typically. If I have a brand design client that wants a logo, I'll offer that and I'll say, hey, you know I can. I can offer you a package for 10 to 20 social media posts for X amount of dollars. And usually, typically they they say, yeah, we would love that.

Speaker 1: 12:50

I have a client based out of Atlanta. Who this lady? She runs a nonprofit for Women's Flag Football League, ah nice. And she reaches out to me all the time and says, hey, we have an event coming up in Buffalo, can you design me a logo? And I'd be like, yeah, sure. So I design a logo and I kind of shoot her some social media posts that say, you know, with the verbiage and the brand alignment, and she's like, oh my God, this is amazing, I need all this. And it's like great.

Speaker 2: 13:22

You're taking a weight off their shoulders because you do know them so well. And man, that is a blessing. We may need you to come over here with us too. So how are you planning to scale Ryan Mule Design going forward, and what are you currently focusing on, or are you at the earlier stages of it?

Speaker 1: 13:39

I'm still at the earlier stages, you know, I'd love to be at a point where I do have another person or two helping me out in the future so I can focus on the business side of it and also mentoring other people. You know, Okay, I think mentoring is a huge part of success for your own personal business journey. But yeah, it's I just I could see myself in 10 years, you know, having more people on board and and helping them grow into, hopefully, their own business.

Speaker 2: 14:15

Oh yeah, giving back is kind of how you get back right, right, exactly, yeah, so what inspires you on a daily basis to be an entrepreneur and grow this business? What are your main inspirations?

Speaker 1: 14:30

Yeah, I think a lot of it comes from my family. Um, you know, my wife is a. She pushes me every day to to be the best that I can be. Um, and then I have my kids, who, you know, you want to be great role models for them. Um, you know, coupled with you know, people in the industry that, uh, produce amazing work, right? Um, I think there's a designer out there called Matt Wolf. He's a logo designer for a sports logo designer. He works with Nike. He works with a bunch of MLS teams in the United States. He builds their brands, and I really looked to him for a lot of inspiration and a little bit of mentorship in my journey.

Speaker 2: 15:12

So what you would say, having a mentor kind of within the same industry, is important.

Speaker 1: 15:17

Yeah, absolutely yeah. Having a mentor is super important, especially if you're going on your own right. I think having somebody in your corner on the business side to really push you, push your limits, is a huge deal. And on the opposite side, you know, having you know a significant other pushing you as well to be the best that you can be.

Speaker 2: 15:39

So you enjoy the kind of the push and the constant, uncomfortable but exciting portion. That's what drives you is learning?

Speaker 1: 15:48

Yes, I think the most important thing you know going into business is you kind of have to be uncomfortable um to be somewhat successful.

Speaker 2: 15:56

You know, if.

Speaker 1: 15:57

if you're not, then it's. It's probably not going to be successful, but you're, you might enjoy it. Um, but, but being uncomfortable is a good thing, right, and I and I just I've just kind of realized that that that was a was an important part of my journey.

Speaker 2: 16:13

Can you tell us, maybe a recent event where stepping out of your comfort zone led to your growth?

Speaker 1: 16:20

Yeah, let me see, I think you know my architecture career, I was kind of, you know, not that happy and I wanted something more. I wanted to follow my passions. And, um, you know, I was recently let go from my job and you know, I thought, wow, this is kind of a sign, you know. And my wife a couple hours later was like, hey, you know, I think this, I think this is a sign for you to follow what you really want to do. And you know, at first I was really heartbroken about losing my job, but then I realized, you know, like you know she's right Like this is a big sign to say go for what you want. You know, go for your passions, follow it, because there's only going to be success in following what you want to do.

Speaker 2: 17:12

Yeah, your passion at the end of the day, which you've always kind of touched on, but never really jumped out and done it.

Speaker 1: 17:17

Right.

Speaker 2: 17:18

That's uncomfortable.

Speaker 1: 17:19

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 17:19

Especially with you said you have three kiddos now.

Speaker 1: 17:22

Yeah, so we have two beautiful, a daughter and a son, a four-year-old and a two-year-old, and we have one on the way coming in June. Wow, congratulations, thank you, thank you. Is balancing fatherhood and entrepreneuring? Yeah, it's, it's really tough. Luckily for me owning my own business. I get to work from home, so whenever you know I have to pick up the kids, I'm there to do it and I'm happy to do it, because being in my kid's life is is just super important right.

Speaker 2: 17:50

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 17:52

I want to be present, I want to be a good dad, um, and just you know, being there is is huge for them and just showing them. Like you know, you can't have a business, be successful and have a family and children too and do those things.

Speaker 2: 18:06

So cause work isn't work if you love what you do. Right, exactly, yeah, if you make it your daily life. I truly believe that kids, kids learn to grow in that for sure. So what types of content or strategies have been most effective in driving engagement and new business opportunities for you?

Speaker 1: 18:24

Yeah, you know social media is such a powerful tool. Um, you could do a lot with Instagram, facebook, uh, linkedin these days. I mean, I got my first job from LinkedIn. I didn't go on Indeed, I didn't go to their website, you know, I literally got the job from LinkedIn. So social media is a super powerful tool. You know, creating ads, and at an affordable cost, right, you don't have to pump like thousands of dollars into an ad to get people to like it and see you and your vision and your brand.

Speaker 2: 18:56

Absolutely. I think that's part of our client base is helping them, help you, help people optimize where they need to advertise these things that you're creating. And you don't have to dump a bunch of money into it, you just have to have the right content.

Speaker 1: 19:11

Right, exactly, you have to have the content that's visually appealing and people like. Just like a billboard right Billboard advertisement is. You know, if you take a look at it for two seconds, you're already engaged.

Speaker 2: 19:25

Absolutely.

Speaker 1: 19:26

So it's the same thing with social media ads.

Speaker 1: 19:30

You know, if you can get somebody to look at it for two seconds, you already have their attention. And I think you know, just having this, this tool and and there's more out there, right there's. You know you can use Canva and, and I don't know there's so many other social media tools that you can use to to really build yourself, tools that you can use to to really build yourself, build your business, and I think you know this is a great time to be in the digital space.

Speaker 2: 20:04

Oh, absolutely so. How do some of your hobbies and then side projects, like the curling, how do they inspire your work as a designer? Are you designing for sports, still primarily?

Speaker 1: 20:14

Yeah, I'm, you know I really love focusing on sports teams. You know, that's that's kind of a a deeper passion of mine of you know, building the next great logo, for I'm a big Philadelphia Eagles fan. So yeah, yeah yeah.

Speaker 1: 20:32

I'm from Pennsylvania, so it's it makes sense but, um, but yeah, like I'd love to, you know, design the next big sports teams. You know brand, brand identity, um, so I uh curling is is an amazing outlet, and not just for me, just because I'm an athlete Um, growing up I'm always always an athlete. Um, and curling gave me a really cool outlet to one meet new people, um, still be an athlete and um, just just build, build these awesome new relationships that I thought I would never build.

Speaker 2: 21:08

Is that what you would say success looks like for you, professionally and personally?

Speaker 1: 21:13

Yeah, I think you know a lot of people think success is about money, but for me it's all about the relationships I'm making, the family I have, and just you know what I have now. Like I feel like I am successful in life just with everything I have now.

Speaker 2: 21:32

That's wonderful. So any upcoming projects or collaborations you're particularly excited about.

Speaker 1: 21:38

Yeah. So I was briefly touched on the music artist I'm working with. He's a rapper in the pop industry Pretty well known, and then I'm working with that nonprofit, the Women's Flag Football League, and then I have a bunch of feelers out there. I'm constantly reaching out to athletes Division One athletes on Instagram and Facebook and you know just seeing like hey, you know, there's something here you can build it you know, let's, let's do it together.

Speaker 2: 22:13

So I'm constantly doing all that stuff and so are you doing it across the country, reaching out to athletes across the country, trying to stay in this kind of Texas niche right now?

Speaker 1: 22:23

Yeah, I'm. I'm reaching out to everywhere. I kind of have connections all over the place Friends in Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, obviously with all my family. My wife's family is from Michigan. I have connects in Atlanta, so I'm kind of all over the place. That's a good thing. Yeah, it's how far you can really reach is super important.

Speaker 2: 22:43

So if listeners wanted to connect with you or learn more about your work, or talk with you about how you could help them, what's the best way for them to reach out to you and what platforms are you on for them to reach out to? On?

Speaker 1: 22:55

Yeah, so you can one find me on my website. It's wwwryanmuledesign. And then I'm on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram at Ryan Mule Design. On all three of those you can find me there. You can email me at ryanmuledesign at gmailcom, and if you're looking for any projects or just want to talk, I love talking to people, meet new people and yeah.

Speaker 2: 23:25

Well, you're more than welcome to come back to the show and bring anyone you want on this show. We're an open audience and we want to help other business owners and entrepreneurs like yourself figure out what you're doing now to help them grow even so thank you for joining us today.

Speaker 1: 23:42

Thank you for having me Awesome.

Speaker 2: 23:44

And to all of our listeners out there. Thank you for coming to another Atma podcast. My name is Dori and I am your host, and we'll see you next time. Bye.