We were lucky to catch up with Ryan Hagood recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

Definitely the craziest story in my 15 years in business: I was installing a 10,000 square foot project in Atlanta and all of the furniture was coming off the trucks one by one. At the back of one of the trucks was a massive crate with very heavy labels all over it. After digging into the inventory list, I remembered the quartz rock side table I had specified. The furniture plan was drawn with a small little drink side table, however the tear sheet (in very small writing) said size would be variable since it was a natural stone so the small table ended up shipping as a MASSIVE table that doubled in size. It was incredibly beautiful so I decided to place it and roll with it. The feat then became a task of getting a 5k pound solid piece of rock off the truck and up only two stairs. Our amazing installation crew ended up using 12 men and rolled the table on dowels like the Egyptians built the pyramids. It took nearly two days to reinforce the framing of the floor so the table didn’t fall through and position the table on top of an area rug while FaceTiming a client. I was sweating to say the least.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Ryan Austin Design is a full-service residential and commercial design firm aiding clients in the selection of architectural details and finishes, collaborating with architects, landscape professionals, and builders to implement our vision. With principal Ryan Austin Hagood at the helm, our team brings over 15 years of experience and talent to a wide range of project scopes, ultimately creating well-detailed spaces with furniture, fabrics, artwork, accessories, and custom pieces that compliment our client’s personality or the commercial environment.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I think we have definitely elevated our business and found numerous new clients through the AD Pro Directory. While still a small design firm with a loyal client base, we needed more photography and to build the brand of my firm. Having this outlet has allowed me to get exposure from the press outside of social media.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am self-taught so I have learned everything by watching and learning through internships and working as a sample librarian. After five years working under a designer, I took the leap and went on my own. I had to juggle 40+ very small projects by myself for years before I could afford to hire anyone else. Once I made a million mistakes and lost a few clients, I have developed a rhythm and standards for designing and renovating for clients. My palette is recognized and the team is growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.radinteriors.com
• Instagram: ryanaustindesign

Image Credits

Photographer: Kristin Karch