We recently connected with Ryann Thompson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ryann thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I built Ry Marie Marketing after enduring several toxic workplaces and corporate jobs where I was consistently disrespected, unappreciated, and forced to navigate environments that didn’t align with my values. Despite delivering outstanding work in the beginning, I was met with empty promises and bosses who were more focused on control than supporting my career growth.

A moment that really defined my breaking point was when I was called out for supposedly abusing ‘unlimited PTO’ after asking for a couple of days off to spend with one of my best friends who was fighting stage 4 cancer. I was over the idea of begging for time off to be with the people I loved or fight for a raise I knew I deserved. Growing up in a household of business owners, I had already seen that it was possible to thrive without enduring corporate toxicity.

I decided enough was enough. I left my last employer by ‘quiet quitting,’ which eventually led to a layoff — something I fully expected. I negotiated a severance package, increased the amount that was initially offered, and used that money to enroll in a software engineering bootcamp where I learned how to code. Not long after completing the program, Ry Marie Marketing was born, starting with referrals from a bootcamp classmate who is now one of my closest friends.

At the heart of my brand’s mission is the desire to empower others — business owners, artists building personal brands, and solopreneurs — many of whom are trying to break free from toxic careers themselves. I’m here to be part of their success stories, leveraging my corporate marketing background and my education in film production to support their growth and long-term success.

Ryann , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder of Ry Marie Marketing, a custom web design studio based in Brooklyn, NY. I entered the web design industry after leaving the corporate world, where I faced toxic workplaces that didn’t align with my values. I maneuvered my way into a layoff by ‘quiet quitting’ and used the severance to invest in my education at a software engineering bootcamp and start my business.

My education is in film and television production and my corporate background is in sales and marketing, but I became interested in coding after working at a tech company in LA, and eventually transitioned to web design after completing the bootcamp. This pivot was an opportunity to combine my technical skills with my background and creative vision, and build meaningful web design projects and long-term relationships with my clients.

Ry Marie Marketing specializes in creating custom websites for businesses, artists, and solopreneurs who are focused on growing their brands. My ideal client is someone who’s so busy working on their businesses that they don’t have the time to manage or design their websites and aren’t afraid to leave that part to an expert. So I step in to take over that burden, ensuring that their websites reflect their brand while they can focus on what they do best.

What sets Ry Marie Marketing apart is the personalized and collaborative approach I bring to every project. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, I spend time understanding each client’s unique story and goals to create a website that speaks to their vision. I also pride myself on making the process as seamless as possible, especially for clients who are leaving or have left corporate jobs. Many of my clients come to me with stories of their own toxic work environments, and I’m passionate about empowering them to move forward and build something they truly own.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Many of them started as referrals from friends or former colleagues, and we’ve grown together. I’ve watched their businesses evolve, and knowing I’ve been part of that journey is incredibly rewarding.

In terms of projects, I’m a huge fan of partnership and collaboration. I care about their success as much as they do, and my goal is to create a digital presence that helps them achieve their vision. I bring a mix of corporate marketing experience and creative energy to each project, making sure it’s not only beautiful but also effective.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I actually funded Ry Marie Marketing using a 0% interest credit card, unemployment insurance, and a few side gigs between my first projects, which were pretty sparse at the time. I had good enough credit to get a no-interest card for over a year, but since I didn’t have business credit or enough industry experience, getting a business loan wasn’t an option. I also didn’t want to take on the risk or interest that would come with one.

The debt was something I’ve been able to manage, even though starting a business from scratch with no money is challenging. I’ve learned a lot along the way — one big thing being that taxes can be intimidating for a tiny business! But I was able to write off my software engineering bootcamp since it directly contributed to starting my business. Everything else, from software to services, has been paid for through the income generated from my projects or the side gigs I worked during my first year.

Now, in my second year, I’m happy to say that my company is fully self-funded through its own projects. And I actually hadn’t even realized that until writing this! But it’s a huge signal of progress and something I’m really proud of.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Rich Joneleit, my husband, is also my cofounder and business partner. We met at NYU while studying film, and over time, our friendship turned into a professional partnership. We’ve built a dynamic that blends our skills in film production, business development, and creative strategy. It’s honestly great having my partner in life also be my partner in business — we know each other’s strengths, and our long-standing trust and communication naturally translate into our work together.

Working side by side brings a nice balance; we get each other’s working styles, so collaborating feels easy and enjoyable. We each bring a different perspective, which helps us approach challenges creatively and efficiently. Whether it’s brainstorming, strategizing, or getting things done, there’s a familiarity that makes our work flow well. This partnership not only helps our business thrive but also deepens our connection, making everything we do more meaningful.
Rich manages another business we co-own, while I primarily run Ry Marie Marketing. We team up on projects when it makes sense, and it’s great to merge our talents. But we also make sure to focus on our own areas to keep everything running smoothly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rymariemarketing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rymariemarketing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rymariemarketing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rthompson17