Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Cooke.
Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started this business to help me pay for college. I have now graduated with an AA and a certificate in Graphic Design. I started with just vendoring at small markets and learned very quickly how much I enjoyed it. I love talking to people coming up to my booth; it has been a blast to learn about so many different people.
I did not know much about owning or running a business at the start, but I have learned a lot through trial and error. Every mistake I made has only helped me be better. Two years into running my business, I still felt lost, and I didn’t have many connections to other business owners to ask them questions. It was recommended that I join Launch Holly Springs. They have been so helpful, and I’ve learned so much I didn’t know before.
I make all my art and stationery by hand.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A lot of my struggles have been from not knowing things or what to ask to understand. There are millions of videos and articles that all say different things about running a business, which has left me more confused since a lot of that information conflicted with other sources. Every business is different, and trying to apply principles and/or advice doesn’t always work. My biggest struggle was learning how to run my business so that it fits me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always loved nature and ghost stories, which is why my art reflects that. My main medium is watercolor, but I also do acrylic and digital art. I love drawing spooky creatures, horror things, and peaceful nature scenes. I love combining the two subjects to create something pretty and spooky.
I make all my art and stationery by hand. Part of my stationery items are my notepads and daily schedules, which are handmade. Yes, that means I print, cut, and glue all by hand.
The thing I am most proud of is that my art has been in an art gallery hosted by Crafting Change that raised $2700 for a non-profit (Design for Joy, which has sadly closed), and I will be in another again this year for Correl, another non-profit.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
My good luck has been meeting the right people at the right places. Networking has always been something I’m not the greatest at, but having others I do know who are great at networking has helped me both in my personal life as well as my business.
Pricing:
- Most of my items range between $5-25
- I do commissions as well and that price depends on the piece that was commissioned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spookyboiink.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spooky_boi_ink
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/spookyboiink.bsky.social
