The Branding Story: Ryan Rancatore
Everyone one of us has a unique story to tell, maybe not as engaging as the one’s we’ve read by our favorite authors, but each significant, full of invaluable lessons and backbreaking obstacles.
Born and raised in Bay Area, CA but currently residing in Foster City, just 20 minutes from the companies that seemingly own the internet (Google, Facebook, and Twitter).
This ad man by day has been a personal branding enthusiast since September of last year, and it’s great to see he’s still got the same if not more passion as he approaches his 1 year mark.
I’d love to introduce you to one of the coolest guys you’ll ever met, Ryan Rancatore.
Me: Ryan, I’m constantly bumping into your face around “Twitterville”, and seeing more of the articles posted on your blog Personal Branding 101 getting a nice amount of retweets.
It’s fair to say you’re the real deal when it comes to giving great advice on Personal Branding. Have you reached the point where you’re charging clients for consulting?
Ryan: Funny you should ask that question, City. To date, any and all advice I’ve given – whether via my blog or 1-on-1 consultation has been 100% free of charge.
I’m a big believer in taking a modified “freemium” approach. Help people early on without asking for anything in return, and let the rest sort itself out.
Me: Looking into the more personal side of Ryan, describe your personality. Do you work hard, play hard? and where do you fit into the social scene?
Ryan: A wild night for me is skipping Jeopardy and getting medium salsa instead of mild at Chipotle.
Me: Lol. I guess you just work hard these days. Are you a sports fan in anyway? What teams are you cheering for this year?
Ryan: I’m an obsessive sports fan, cheering on the SF Giants and 49ers when they win, and cursing them up and down when they lose.
Me: Tell us about one of the hobbies you’re into these days.
Ryan: My favorite hobby is rec-league slow pitch softball, in which I treat every game as if it were Game 7 of the World Series.
I got into it the same way everyone else does – by having the brain of a baseball player and the athletic prowess of a couch potato.
Me: Do you have any special phobias? What scares the daylights out of you? Hopefully your enemies aren’t reading this blog 
Ryan's worst Fear!
Ryan: Snakes. I even hate to say the word. I just returned from the island of Kauai in Hawaii, which is 100% snake-free – thus making it my own slice of heaven on Earth.
Me: What’s the best part about living in Foster city right now?
Ryan: My entire family lives within 2 miles. How incredible is that?
Me: If you’re talking about my family times it by 1000 and that’s more like it!
I’m sure you’ve got some fans right now who would love to stop by Foster city and say hi. Being that they came there to see you, are you offering free room and board?
Ryan: Yep. A free room and you are guaranteed to be bored.
Me: What’s your ultimate life goal, where do aspire to be 10 years from now?
Ryan: My ultimate life goal is to raise a family with my wife and stay happy and healthy. All else comes second.
If in 10 years I am in a position where my ideas are initiating real change and innovation, that will be a huge success.
Me: Ryan, explain to the people why you have so much passion for this industry?
Ryan: Life in 2010 is truly different than ever before. Opportunity is literally limitless, no matter who you are or where you are from.
People should be able to do what they love, and a helping hand in creating a strong personal brand can be just the extra push to get them there.
Me: You’re absolutely right. It was actually an extremely cool experience interviewing you today.
You’ve been doing some amazing things with your blog, all I could say is keep up the great work!
Ryan: Thanks City. I appreciate the opportunity, and look forward to seeing more from you on the personal branding front. Keep up the good work too.
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