Meet Ryan Kielma | Digital Marketer & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Kielma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, how do you think about risk?
Risk has changed my life for the better. A few years ago, I was living on the east coast working as a design engineer but I felt like I was in the wrong career. I was left with two options: stay stagnant or push myself to create a fulfilling life. Needless to say, I packed my whole life into the back of my car, quit my job, and moved across the country by myself. I had no connections and no clue how I was going to survive, but I was determined to make it on my own. It has been a roller coaster of events but I wouldn’t give the experience up for anything. Fast forward three years, I’m now living in Arizona and living a life that I could only imagine. My life philosophy is to do what excites and that includes taking risks, even when the end is uncertain.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My professional career has been unique in its own way. Like most, I went to college, got a job in my field, and was living what most would value as a successful life. Truthfully, I wasn’t satisfied and yearned to carve my own path on my own terms. In my mind, building my own success would hold more personal value than a degree saying I was a professional in said career path. Since then, I’ve spent time obsessing over self improvement, learning skills from various industries, and putting myself into the world without fear of judgement from others. Since leaving college, I’ve joined the digital marketing industry and have been building up my own resume with the skills and work that I’ve created. It’s scary building your own life without the direction of a degree, but the challenge is what makes it fun. My biggest takeaway from the past few years has been that I can do anything I put my mind to, it just takes a little work and a whole lot of determination. I am currently job hunting for my first digital marketing position professionally, but in the mean time I plan on putting the knowledge to use on social media and helping local small businesses reach their marketing goals. If I had to give advice to those in a career change, I would say having interest in a profession is one thing, but having a passion to be the best is what will set you apart from the others.

At the current moment, I am running my own small business helping clients brand themselves online and develop a social media presence. My one-year plan has changed drastically over the past several months, but I wouldn’t change a single thing with where I am at now. If I had to give advice to those who are looking for a fresh start, I would say to begin now and roll with the punches as you go. Your future self will thank you and there is no better time to start than now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in Flagstaff, AZ has its perks. I’m not sure a week long trip would give us enough time to fully enjoy the beauty of Northern Arizona though! If I were to plan a trip, I think we’d have to call it the Cardinal Direction Adventure. Traveling 30 minutes in any direction will land you in some very unique landscapes, all with their own special flair. In a perfect week, the trip would consist of visiting national beauties such as the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, and Lake Powell. We’d definitely head south to check out the great city of Pheonix and visit hidden gems like Bitter and Twisted or the Garden of Eden. Honestly, to round off the trip, we’d visit my favorite local lunch time spot Lumberyard Brewery to grab some IPAs and a bowl of mac. I’m sure this isn’t the extent of all the things we’d do, but it would be an eventful trip nonetheless!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a lot of people and influences that have aided me in my journey. I truthfully wouldn’t be in the place I am today without the love and support of my folks back home. It’s hard living on the other side of the country but it’s great having such a solid support system to back me up and bounce ideas off of. If I’ve learned anything in my travels it’s that friends will come and go, but family will always be there. A massive thank you to both the Sullivan’s and the Kielma’s, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.kielma

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma