Meet Ryan Hayes | Creative Agency Founder & Operator

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

Hi Ryan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly? Equal parts “I think I can do this better” and “well, here goes nothing.” I knew I was already losing sleep over creative work, UX flows, and tiny brand details no one else noticed — so I figured, why not do it for myself? I wanted to build something with a little less red tape, a little more soul, and a lot more caffeine. Plus, if I was going to obsess over the perfect kerning at 2AM, I at least wanted it to be for something that had my name on it. A Pretty Big Deal started as an idea… and somehow turned into an actual, living, breathing thing fueled by stubbornness and really good coffee.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Art, for me, was never about being the best — it was about being unshakably obsessed. I don’t think I’m the most naturally gifted designer or creative in the world, but I do think I’m one of the most relentless. What sets me apart is probably that stubborn mix: I genuinely fall in love with the brands and people I work with, and I won’t stop until the work feels right — not just looks right.

I’m most proud of the fact that APBD has built a reputation for actually caring — for showing up, solving real problems, and doing it in a way that feels less like a vendor relationship and more like an extension of a brand’s own heartbeat. We don’t do “churn and burn” work here. We pick our projects carefully, we invest deeply, and we’re still excited every time a new idea hits the table.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I dropped out of multiple art schools, changed colleges more times than I can count, and basically took the long, scenic, pothole-filled route to where I am today. There were a lot of “figure it out as you go” moments — and still are — but what helped me overcome those challenges was building the muscle of persistence: being willing to ask questions, listen harder, learn faster, and admit when I needed help.

The biggest lessons? Stay humble. Stay obsessed. Hire people smarter than you. And never lose the weird kid inside you who wanted to design flyers for their friend’s garage band.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know about me and APBD, it’s this: we’re here because we love this work. We’re fueled by passion, pride, and a little bit of defiance — and if you’re willing to put your heart into what you’re building, we’ll match it with everything we’ve got.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting? Easy.
I’d pack the truck with camping gear, load up an unreasonable amount of food, and point us toward the mountains. Let’s eat, drink, hike, swim, and get a little scrappy. I’m lucky enough to camp with my kids and extended friends/family 10–15 times a year, and honestly, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

For a full week, I’d keep it simple but memorable: a few nights in the Eastern Sierras — Mammoth Lakes, Bishop — fishing in the morning, hiking mid-day, and cooking big meals over the fire at night. We’d hit local spots for delicious and cocktails, and maybe sneak down to June Lake for some beach time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Nothing I’ve done — or that APBD has become — happened in a vacuum. First and foremost, my family deserves the biggest shoutout. My wife and our kids are the why behind everything I do. They’ve been patient when I’ve had to work late, supportive when I doubted myself, and brutally honest when my ideas needed a little “reality check.”

I’m a collection of my experiences — but more than that, I’m the product of the chances people have taken on me. Call it opportunity, call it trust — either way, I didn’t earn it alone. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

One of those early, pivotal moments came from Jonas Bevacqua at LRG Clothing. When I was just a 25-year-old kid with a lot of ideas and not a ton of experience, Jonas handed me the keys to work on their marketing, website, and ecommerce. That kind of trust shaped the course of my entire career, and I’ve never forgotten it.

On the professional side, I’ve been lucky to work with and learn from some amazing people — clients who trusted me early on, employees and contractors who believed in the vision, and mentors like Douglas Brackmann, whose book Driven and personal coaching have been transformational for me.

Also, weirdly enough: a big thanks to the punk bands, indie brands, and DIY culture I grew up around. Designing flyers and album covers as a kid taught me that passion, grit, and creativity could actually build something real — and that spirit has never left.

Lastly, to every team member at APBD, past and present: thank you for trusting the vision, sharpening it, challenging it, and ultimately making it better than anything I could have built alone. This isn’t a one-man show — it never has been, and it never will be.

Website: https://www.apbd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareaprettybigdeal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatryanhayes/