Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Keane.
Hi Ryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I moved to North Carolina only about a year ago after graduating from school in New York. I’ve always been super passionate about coffee and drank way too much of it all the time, so much so that I was a barista at two separate coffee shops. It was around this time I started posting more consistently on TikTok trying to find my niche, and I randomly posted a coffee review of a shop I’ve always wanted to try in Chapel Hill called Caffe Driade. This video blew up way more than I could’ve imagined, and so many people were commenting for me to try their favorite shops around the Triangle, so I just made it my thing. I’ve reviewed over 90 coffee shops across over 10 major NC cities, and that’s where I stand today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been very smooth at all. I went the first 6-7 months of posting with barely any noticeable growth at all. Sure, I saw some videos go pretty viral and make their way around the platform. But real, sustainable growth just felt impossible. Then on a random weekend in January of this year, I made the coffee review that changed it all. I gained 700 followers from May 2024 to December 2024. From January 2025 to July 2025, I’m at 12,800. Even during this period of rapid growth (that I’m super grateful for), I’ve had days and even weeks where some videos get tens of thousands of views, and others where they barely get 2,000 views, which makes me think I’m doing something wrong. I’ve come around to realize that as long as I keep producing the best content possible, I will see the results that I want to see in the long-run.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m actually a full time sales rep, working a standard 9-5 in office 5 days a week. I use my weekends and any off days to record all my coffee reviews, so it definitely has been a big adjustment in figuring out a solid recording/posting schedule. Since I’m in a role that forces me to talk to people I’ve never met before, I definitely feel a lot more comfortable meeting people who recognize me on the street or in a coffee shop. Although I’m pretty proud of the work that I do and I do genuinely enjoy my team and company, my real passion comes from reviewing coffee and shining a light on local businesses who deserve it the most. One day, I hope to be running a coffee shop that a local influencer would love to stop in and review for their own content.
What does success mean to you?
Success is something that each person has their own definition of. To me, success is when I set a goal for myself and I either exceed or pass that goal in a satisfying way. For example, my goal for a very long time was crossing the 10K follower barrier, and I considered it a huge success when I finally crossed it. Upcoming goals and successes for me include securing a brand sponsorship, starting my own pop-up coffee cart, crossing the 50,000 and 100,000 follower mark and more. Without the pursuit of success, I don’t feel as motivated in what I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanscoffee_/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryaankeane
