We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Perry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?

I’ll say the one piece of conventional advice that I would reframe is, “everything happens for a reason.” I’m a Presbyterian, so I do believe there is a bigger force in the universe, but I find this advice to be a bit self-serving. Speaking for myself, I’ve used that adage as comfort food to satisfy the pain of disappointment on plenty of occasions.

Instead of chalking something up to cosmic or existential forces, I prefer to frame everything as a growth opportunity. One of my favorite books is Mindset by Carol Dweck. Her writing on growth mindsets made such an impact on me at an impressionable age. The attitude that everything is what it is, no more and no less, is an approach that keeps me from getting too high or too low as I try to keep everything in perspective.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

I’m a sports junky and big fan of John Wooden. In essence, he said that success is the peace of mind that comes from doing your best. That approach resonates with me because it empowers the individual, and I still believe it’s the healthiest definition of success I’ve heard. To that end, authenticity is one of the few things I can control in this line of work so I aspire to be the best version of myself and build from there.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?

The journey is better than the inn. The same soccer coach who schooled me on Wooden was a big fan of Cervantes. It’s proven true for me though; the journey is the part of the story that sticks. Any accolade or accomplishment is always bittersweet because it usually means the production or execution of a goal is over. The importance of good teammates also becomes more apparent when you realize the journey is what counts.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

Work-life balance is more art than science because I think there’s even balance to the balance? That sounds a bit meta but we have seasons of life and right now, I can afford to be imbalanced with more focus on work. Someday I’ll have a family and with that will come other goals but for now, I love the fact that I dedicate myself to work as much as possible.

What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

The decision to chase my storytelling dreams in LA was a personal choice that came on the heels of working at a big bank. I then chose the independent route because I needed skin in the game as I build my career. That said, the storytelling business existed long before me and will exist forever. My goal is to find stories that mean something to me then tell them as authentically as possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First morning we’re going hiking. I love Topanga Canyon becuase it feels a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. We may end up driving Mulholland because I’m convinced it’s as pretty of a view as the PCH.

We have to get street tacos so they can enjoy the local flavor. My personal favor taco truck is on Lincoln and Broadway in Venice. Sushi is also a must so we’ll pick something on Ventura to give them the best of the best.

Personally, I believe any good visit includes live music so we’ll find somewhere in mid-city or West Hollywood to jam. With any luck, Sofar Sounds will have a last minute concert or else we’ll end up at the Troubador.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents deserve a massive shoutout for pushing me to follow my heart personally and professionally. My high school soccer coach and drama teacher, Coach Davies and Ms. Kinnison helped me fall in love with the two things that impacted me most to this point in my life. And my vocal coach and choir teacher, Edward Caruthers taught me that being myself would be the most important character I would ever study. Finally, my best friends (they know who they are) are the closest things to brothers that I have. Those guys have given me great role models since the day we met.

Instagram: trperry2

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-ryan-perry/

Other: imdb.me/ryan-perry

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