Masters of Scale The art of the steal: Serial founder Eric Ryan on finding inspiration
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Apr 23, 2026 
Eric Ryan, serial entrepreneur behind Method and Olly, shares how ad agency problem-solving shaped his brand instincts. He talks about finding ideas in foreign grocery aisles, turning cleaning products into lifestyle statements, and using design to unlock retail doors. He also digs into culture, creative rigor, and rebuilding after selling a company.
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Ask For Failure Reasons Instead Of Praise
- Test a new idea by asking smart people to list three reasons it will fail, not whether they like it.
- Eric Ryan gave a concept book to 20 people because polite encouragement hides flaws, while explicit criticism reveals blind spots.
De Risk A Startup One Small Proof At A Time
- Break startup risk into small steps instead of trying to solve company-building all at once.
- Eric Ryan validated Method by testing prototypes with friends, then hand-selling to 20 Bay Area stores and personally restocking shelves each week.
Karim Rashid Helped Method Win Over Target
- After Target rejected Method, Eric Ryan used industrial designer Karim Rashid as a backdoor into Target's marketing team.
- A FedExed prototype of an inverted dish soap changed the skeptical buyer's mind when he squeezed it and said, "even I would use this."
