Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ryann Liebl. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ryann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
I launched my production company in 2019, called REL Films. I think I started my business at the right time but I also think I wish I had trusted myself enough to start it earlier. I was always looking for partnerships, rather than believing in my own abilities. But I’m now realizing confidence comes from simply doing, diving in, making it happen and that is the key in being successful. Believe in yourself even when others don’t see it or support it. Because broad agreement on great creative ideas is rare. It’s the individual that comes up with the best ideas and then it takes a team to get it done.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started in the industry in Los Angeles when I was 19 years old. I began my career as an actor. I then got into screenwriting, directing and producing. Being on a lot of sets helped me understand the whole process and I learned from doing.
I now produce and direct feature film, commercials, music videos and business video. I love my job. I try as much as I can to apply my knowledge of filmmaking to every piece of content that I create. As a women it’s important to me to bring beauty to my life and to others lives. So I try to do that in everything I produce and direct.
I also apply this to my clients. I want them to be happy. I want them to be relaxed. I want them to walk away from set feeling confident and inspired. So that’s my focus.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I’ve been thinking a lot about this concept lately. Being in my particular industry so long, I’ve seen a lot of change and I’ve learned a lot as a creative.
I guess a good lesson would be this – Have confidence in yourself and your abilities. No matter what other people think. When you know what you are capable of and you are sure you can produce effectively in your chosen career. Where it. Don’t apologize to others about what you know. Take full responsibility for any sphere where you have influence. Help people. Organize things better. Etc.
When I was younger I doubted myself a lot and I didn’t take certain risks because I was afraid of failure. I was shy about my abilities and I made myself smaller. I don’t regret my past at all. I just recognize now it does no good to put yourself down, to compare yourself to others or to doubt what you are capable of.
So many people can do so much more than they think. Their thoughts, their families, their friends make them doubt themselves. Ignore the noise and leap into what is possible. You will never regret it even if you fail.
Have you ever had to pivot?
About 15 years ago I stopped “just acting” for years I had considered myself just an actor. Which was funny because I had directed, I had written screenplays and done other hats in my field.
At that time I decided to fully embrace all the other skills that I had. I started to direct more. Produce more. Write more and generally say I’m not just an actor anymore.
This opened up a whole new world to me. All the sudden I felt I could reach further, do more and I wasn’t stuck in just creating one thing.
I also recognized that all the successful actors around me weren’t just acting. They were producing, they were directing, they were taking full ownership of their areas and making their careers happen.
This was a great turning point. It taught me to never rely on other people to make my dreams come true, it was now fully up to me to drive the train and that’s what I did.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyannLiebl
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryann-liebl