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alumni spotlight
California Dreaming
VSB Grad USES HIS Marketing Degree TO break into the fashion industry BORN AND RAISED IN San Diego, Jack Ryan embodied Southern California from head to toe—in his clothes, in his shoes, and the skateboard he rode to classes at Villanova. “San Diego has influenced me in every way possible,” says Jack Ryan ’09 VSB. “I grew up surfing, skateboarding, and eating burritos. I’ve always loved the style, the extreme sports, and artistic culture.” That style is now replicated in his line of footwear, The Jack Ryan Shoe Art Collection, a venture he launched shortly after returning home as a VSB marketing graduate. Like many entrepre-
“All I wanted to focus on as a Marketing major was coming up with great ideas and trendy ad campaigns. I now realize why my VSB teachers were so focused on aspects of marketing aside from the creative,” Jack Ryan ’09 VSB says. Ryan is the founder and creator of his own line of footwear, The Jack Ryan Shoe Art Collection.
neurial success stories, Jack’s began as a pastime. “I can
artist, but I am really good
ponies, trees, school logos,
remember when I was maybe
at shading in the style of
and so on, but I tell everyone
carry his business to further
11 years old, I would draw
pointillism,” Ryan says. “I
that I strictly draw my
heights and deal with the
all the logos of my favorite
started drawing on canvas
unique floral designs. The
challenges of expanding a
skateboard companies,” he
shoes using fine-tip Sharpies,
more that people see the
new business in an unpredict-
says. “But once in college,
and shading the vibrant
flowers, the more they
able economy, Ryan knows
surrounded by such great
colors by making thousands
ask about them, the more
his VSB contacts will be a
business minds, I knew
of dots that fade into each
important they are. This has
further means of support.
I didn’t want to draw and
other. As more and more
allowed me to create an iden-
wear other people’s brands—
people asked me where I got
tity around a product which
on the Villanova Alumni
I wanted to make my own.”
my shoes, I realized I had a
previously had no personality
Group page of LinkedIn, I
huge opportunity.”
or significance.”
was welcomed by so many,
It was on the Villanova campus that Ryan began
Starting with a website
Another way his Villanova
As he endeavors to
“When I put my story
commending and congratu-
decorating shoes, trans-
and social-media marketing,
background has helped is
lating me for my willingness
forming his Vans into an
Ryan launched his business
through networking with
to take a risk and make a
artistic representation of his
and found quick success. He
fellow ’09 alums. Engineering
name for myself,” he says.
home state. “I loved them,”
attributes much of that to
major Juan Guerra filmed and
“I am so thankful to be a part
he says. “I would wear them
tools he attained at VSB.
produced all of Ryan’s promo-
of the Villanova family. When
all the time in Bartley Hall.
tional videos; communications
I decide to move to New York
Even then, people would ask
tant things I remember from
major Allison Montanaro
to really make things happen,
me where I bought them.”
marketing classes is to keep
’09 A&S connected Ryan
I know I will be welcomed
your brand consistent,”
with Toms Shoes, which
there too, by Villanova alumni
after graduation. “I don’t
Ryan says. “I get requests
has twice featured his
with open arms.” V
consider myself a great
to draw Disney characters,
product internationally.
– by Chris Nicholson
The attention continued
villanova business | summer 2012
“One of the most impor-
