Post — CRYSTORAMA STYLE BLOG

Crystorama is a family company with more than 60 years of experience. The extension of our family runs deep. Let us introduce you to Ryan Ranzino, our VP of Sales, “Jack of All Trades” and a pet parent to Bella and Lucy. We will be following Ryan and Brad Kleinberg, President of Crystorama on their upcoming trip to China as they review the new collection for Crystorama. We asked Ryan about his position, travel advice and lighting tips for the everyday consumer.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about how you made your way to the Crystorama family?

Ryan: In 2007, I worked for Your Other Warehouse. My main role was to do the plumbing training. While at YOW (as it was called), we took on a lighting brand called World Imports, and that's how I got into lighting. One day I got a call from Crystorama saying that they were looking for National Sales Manager role and that I came highly recommended. To be honest, I was pleased working at YOW, and I didn’t think I would even get the position in the end, although I was flattered at the consideration, and now here we are 12 years later.

Q: Tell us about your role as VP of Sales?

Ryan: Since I manage 33 agencies and 85 reps throughout U.S. and Canada. They call me the “face of the company” since I am always traveling with our reps and meeting customers in their store. I do love my job as I get to wear many hats, like conceptualization to completion of the finished lighting, taking it to Dallas Market and then seeing the happiness and excitement of the people at our trade shows.

Q: Before we start talking about your trip next week, can you tell us about your travel must-have for the long journey?

Ryan: A good neck pillow…and some chardonnay. The neck pillow is essential for the whole trip. A lot of the factories we visit are 2 hours away from where we are staying, so I get settled on the van and take the neck pillow out for what I like to call pillow time.

Q: Do you remember your first trip to China with Crystorama?

Ryan: Yes. I remember being excited and in awe of it all. I took pictures of everything, and I mean everything like the buildings, cars, the McDonald’s sign. I was a real tourist. It was a great first experience, and a side note- the karaoke in China has great 90’s pop.

Q: What’s a typical day like in China and what are you hoping to accomplish on this trip?

Ryan: Wake up, breakfast with Brad Kleinberg, President of Crystorama, and a full review of our day visiting factories. On this trip, we are finalizing June 2019 and January 2020 collections. We are fortunate to work with such great factories that are so hospitable and kind when we arrive. They offer a warm towel, a cup of tea, lunch or snacks. Once we get acquainted, we review aspects of the lighting fixtures like sketches and CAD drawings. Some of the factories even set up a showroom for us to view the new collection, it is incredible to see all the work come to life.

Q: What are some design features we can expect to see in the upcoming collections?

Ryan: What you can expect to see is what we strive for with all of our collections- simplicity and no fuss. We are always looking to find a balance between simple and stylish without being boring.

Q: What do you know either in life or in your career that you wish someone would have told you a long time ago?

Ryan: “Believe in yourself.” I didn’t think I got the job when I interviewed, and I did, and the rest has been a fantastic experience.

Q: Do you have any lighting tips for us?

Ryan: Don’t be scared of scale. I have seen many decors with lighting fixtures that are underwhelming. Whatever you are thinking about, consider going bigger. Wow, your guests and audience with a fabulous focal piece.

Q: Last question and just for fun…Cats or Dogs?

Ryan: DOGS! In particular, Frenchies named Bella and Lucy.

Follow Ryan on his upcoming trip to China on our Instagram and Facebook pages. You’ll be able to see a sneak peek of our next collection.

Meet the Family Q&A with our VP of Sales Ryan Ranzino