We recently had the chance to connect with Ryan Lanzel and have shared our conversation below.
Ryan, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
It is appropriate to say that I am more of a wanderer. Although I set goals and work hard to reach them, many of my goals often stem from newly developed experiences and happenstances in both my personal and professional life. For instance, I enjoy spending my free time experiencing new things, such as restaurants and art galleries. When I come across a cocktail or dish that really captivates me, I dive into figuring out how to make it at home and create my own unique spin on it. I also tend to find inspiration in other woodworkers, and find myself wanting to master a new technique that I previously did not even know existed.
In my work life, I began an entirely new company under the umbrella of Fire & Pine based on the needs of some of my friends in the gift industry. It was not a concept I came up with by sitting down and focusing on the next big thing; instead, it was simply by meeting new people and sharing ideas organically. From this casual exchange, the concept of our new retail display company emerged.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Ryan Lanzel, the Vice President and Creative Director for Best Gift Idea Ever, LLC, and its subsidiaries Fire & Pine and Displays by Fire & Pine. I have been our Creative Director for over thirteen years, leading the way in new artistic concepts and business ideas from conception through manufacturing and ultimately to the execution of a new product or service.
Our company, Fire & Pine, is unique in that we have a large-scale manufacturing facility boasting a production paint machine, fiber laser, unique print capabilities, and the largest collection of C02 laser machines in the United States. This enables us not only to produce our products at scale but also to quickly and efficiently prototype and create new, unique products tailored to specific jobs and clients.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I am fortunate not to have experienced the world telling me who I had to be, or at least I am blissfully ignorant of the fact that I did not see it in that way. I am a significantly different person than I was as a young adult; however, I have slowly and subtly adapted over time to strengthen my skills and move closer to my goals. I have had jobs that I didn’t find joy in; they were simply a means to an end, a paycheck. However, I always kept that in mind. I never stopped following my passions on the side and keeping my eyes open for new opportunities that would lead me to where I want to be both personally and professionally. By doing this, I never felt pigeonholed into a career where I felt stuck and uninspired.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course, it is only natural to experience those types of heavy emotions and wonder whether or not it is worth continuing to do what you are doing. In fact, in some situations, it is healthy to take a step back and reassess your goals. There have been multiple situations where I have given up on ideas, projects, and product developments, but I do not view it as a sign that I was not good enough or that the pursuit was too tricky for me to accomplish. When something looks out of reach, I have to step back and look at it from a different angle. Why is this problem so complex to solve? If I am investing too much time, effort, or money into making something work, but the ends do not justify the means, I have no problem putting that concept on a shelf and moving on to another venture. If the original idea sticks with me or resurfaces down the road, I typically have more knowledge and diverse skill sets to reinvestigate how to achieve it a second time around. If it never comes up again, then maybe it was the right decision to leave it behind.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I have a friend in the industry whom I admire greatly. Khara Koffel is the owner of her own business, a college professor, and one of the most creative artists I have ever known. Looking at her resume, she could gain the respect of her peers simply by her titles and accomplishments. However, it is through her hard work, passion, and personal attention to detail that she puts forward, not only to her projects and business, but also to the personal relationships she builds. Her friendly demeanor and outgoing personality naturally open doors to new opportunities, where she seizes the moment and puts every ounce of energy into making the best of it. It is inconceivably vital to surround yourself with people like her. They will make you a better person without you even knowing it.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I believe my customers will miss their direct access to me and my undivided attention. When somebody has a question, concern, problem, or idea, they can email, call, or text me whenever they need, and I am there for them right away. One of my biggest fears is letting somebody down, so I am always focused on giving the best support that I can to anybody who needs it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fireandpine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fire_pine/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-lanzel-41270b32/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firepine
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FireandPine
Image Credits
Harden Creative
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