Name:
Ryan Martin
Birthdate:
9/14/81
Where were you born?
Toms River, New Jersey
What is your definition of success?
I think the smartest and most successful people are those who are 1) doing something they absolutely love, and 2) are innovative in their field, whatever that may be.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Winning the Cade Prize for Innovation and Invention
How do you exemplify the spirit of a Forty Under 40 professional?
That’s a very difficult question for someone to answer about himself. As I think about others who have received this recognition, or are deserving of it, I think of people who are creative and constantly challenging themselves; people who are always learning and growing both professionally and personally; people who don’t think only of profits, but of people and broader impacts. I strive to be someone who can be described like that.
Businessperson who has most inspired you:
Sir Richard Branson
Best advise ever received:
Listen to and value all the advice and help you can get, but ultimately, the choices are yours to make and you have to blaze your own trail.
Greatest professional challenge:
Not enough time in the day!
First job:
Lifeguard and swim coach
What color crayon would you be? Why?
“Licorice”, because I like the black jelly beans the best. And I like people who do NOT like black licorice, because that leaves more for me, and I will gladly pick them out of the jelly bean bunch for that person.
Favorite after-work drink:
I like a good beer.
If I had a magic wand, I’d:
Take it apart and figure out how it works.
What is your favorite Gadget?
Definitely my smartphone, and I just got a Google Chromecast that links up my phone , TV, laptop, and tablet.
How long have you been in Gainesville?
13 years
What do you love most about Gainesville/Alachua County?
I love our community’s history, spirit, and encouragement of innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s a very special and rare thing!
Three things people would be surprised to know about you:
1) I was born and raised on the Jersey Shore (but I am NOTHING like the people on the TV show)
2) Even though my life revolves around science and technology, I was the last of my friends to get a smartphone. I’ve had mine for just a year now, and I only got it because my old “dumb” phone was stolen.
3) I had a small role on a few episodes of All My Children. I was someone’s date and I had a spitball shot at my face.
Advice you would give a younger you:
Don’t worry. It’s all going work out and make sense eventually.