Hey, I’m Ryan Smith
I’m a creative strategist, digital pioneer, and community builder where curiosity fuels every project. From remixing culture on-chain to helping brands make their mark, I see every challenge as an invitation to innovate.
My story as a builder
From leading product teams to collaborating with Fortune 500 brands, my journey as a builder has been fueled by a relentless drive to create impactful solutions. I’m not just focused on results—I’m committed to crafting experiences that address real challenges faced by the communities we serve.
Alongside my corporate work, I’ve had the privilege of joining forces with artists, fashion designers, and streetwear icons, infusing projects with a unique blend of aesthetics and functionality. My approach weaves together product, marketing, and sales into a cohesive strategy, where every thread contributes to a shared vision.
At the core, I’m all about synergy and purpose—helping brands move with precision in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Beyond the digital
When I’m not immersed in digital strategy, you’ll find me exploring the latest in art, tech, and street culture—usually with a coffee in hand. I'm a husband and proud girl dad, always learning and growing both in family life and on the mats, where I practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu. As a lifelong learner, I’m constantly picking up new skills (or at least trying to) and finding inspiration in unexpected places.
Curiosity in Action: Always exploring art, tech, and street culture to stay inspired and ahead of the curve.
Family First: Proud husband and girl dad—my favorite team to come home to.
Forever Learning: Whether it’s a new skill or a fresh perspective, I’m always hungry to grow.
My professional highlights
VP of Growth at Deepfence
"Driving growth through revenue-focused go-to-market strategies, product innovation, and community engagement at Deepfence."
- Led product strategy and community initiatives, expanding Deepfence’s open-source community to 5,000+ organizations.
- Recognized as a 2023 Top 50 Fastest Growing Open Source Startup globally by OSSInsight.
- Developed user journeys that cut security noise by 97%, saving clients hundreds of thousands in operational and tech expenses annually.
Head of Marketing & Community at Stapleverse
"Bridging digital and physical worlds to create an engaged streetwear community with Stapleverse."
- Launched SAPIENZ, a unique streetwear community blending physical and digital products.
- Partnered with award-winning artists and designers for exclusive product releases.
- Grew and managed a passionate community of 5,000+ streetwear enthusiasts.
VP of Product & Evangelist at Armor Cloud Security
"Driving growth and brand trust through strategic product innovation and evangelism in cloud security."
- Launched and grew a new cloud security product line to $30M through a targeted channel distribution strategy.
- Established Armor as a trusted cloud security leader with a hands-on product evangelism approach.
- Oversaw a team of 8 direct reports and managed a multi-million dollar budget across a team of 30+ people.
Founder & Head of Product at Sandbox Commerce
"Empowering eCommerce businesses with mobile solutions through innovative platform development."
- Developed a mobile commerce platform for Shopify & BigCommerce, enabling users to build native apps for iOS and Android via a WYSIWYG editor.
- Led investor relations and secured seed funding, gaining entry into prestigious accelerator programs.
The core values that drive my work
I believe that the best work happens at the intersection of creativity and strategy. Whether I’m designing a product, leading a campaign, or building a community, I’m focused on understanding what drives people and finding innovative ways to meet their needs.
Hard Work
I believe in the transformative power of hard work, where perseverance shapes reality and ambition meets achievement.
Transparency
Transparency for me is the foundation of trust, ensuring every interaction is marked by clarity, honesty, and open communication.
Innovation
I'm driven by innovation, constantly seeking to challenge the status quo and pioneer novel solutions that redefine possibilities.
Growth
Growth is my compass, guiding me to continuously evolve, learn, and expand my horizons, both personally and professionally.