Artist, business owner reflects on challenges, accomplishments

FACT BOX Annual Holiday Glass Scavenger Hunt The Poignon Project will again host the annual Holiday Glass Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 10. Golden tickets will be hidden around downtown Tiffin. Tickets will be for $1,000 in glass prizes. Maps will be passed out at 10 a.m. at the studio and gallery, 227 E. Perry St. For Ryan Poignon, he always had an "entrepreneurial spirit." Ryan and his wife Monic are the owners of The Poignon Project Art Studio & Gallery, located at 227 E. Perry St. The art studio and gallery - established in 2015 - offers a variety of handmade glass keepsakes such as ornaments, marbles, jewelry, shot glasses, stemware, custom etching and more. Products are made by owners Ryan and Monica. In addition, they also offer glassblowing classes and demonstrations. Ryan said he first started out as an entrepreneur in grade school selling packs of gum to other students while at recess. While in high school Ryan was into music playing bass in a band. He used his skills of making fliers and advertising to promote their and other bands' shows. "I've always had a passion for bringing people together and making something out of it," he said. After high school, Ryan got into art more. "I have a passion for creating," he said. When he and his wife moved to Pennsylvania they started a t-shirt business called Sleepy Tree Clothing, but Ryan knew it wasn't something he wanted to do permanently. Ryan then sought the help of a fellow artist, which is where he learned some basics to glassblowing and his passion only grew from there. "In Erie (PA) was where I was really exposed to the art scene," Ryan said. A scene he wishes Tiffin had. "I learned from other people who were doing it," Ryan said, something that he continues to do. Ryan also turned his passion for collectibles and antiques into a business called the Retro Rabbit. He said he was always into flipping items he would get and selling them to others. Following is when The Poignon Project was born. "A lot has happened since," Ryan said after seven years of being in business. "I've stayed with it and it continues to change." Ryan said he never thought The Poignon Project would be what it is today. "It was brought together by my passion," he said. Ryan said he has no plans to stop. "I like the independence of owning my own business," Ryan said. In a normal job, Ryan said you don't work 12 hours, but he enjoys what he's doing. "I miss having other coworkers, but if I had a boss hovering over me, it wouldn't be the same," he said. Owning a small business is not for everyone, Ryan said. "I'm not going to come home with a massive amount of money, but I have a life where I got to choose what I wanted to do," he said. Ryan said when he goes home at night and places his head on his pillow, he wants to feel good about what he's done. Ryan said what is special about Tiffin's downtown small businesses is the collaboration to make Tiffin better. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Tiffin's downtown was vacant with the Westgate Shopping Center, Ryan said. "To see (the downtown) come back to life was not through just one business, one artist, one retailer or one service," he said. "But through collaboration. How we all work together to make Tiffin better." Ryan said there is competition in business, but everyone looks past that and all offer something he wishes he had when he was younger. Owning your own small business is not without its challenges, Ryan said. The first year he said he worked out a way to purchase the building at 227 E. Perry St. Ryan said the reason was to not have to worry about rent increases in the future. "The first year was overwhelming, but I stuck with it," he said. Ryan said he deals with the challenges of taxes and making sure their books are in line, being reliable and on schedule. The biggest challenge for him, and many other small businesses, was the COVID-19 pandemic. "I didn't know if I was going to be here," he said. "It is something I don't think I or anyone else will deal with that big again." Ryan said each year he sets goals he hopes to accomplish. Some accomplishments include the establishment of the Community Art Shed, Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission, the publishing of two books by Ryan, to name a few. Recently, Ryan said he has become a certified welder. An accomplishment that will allow him to work on future sculpture projects for the area. Ryan said for those who are looking to start their own small business, stick with it. "Persistence is always going after what you want," he said. "If you get knocked down, don't stay down. You won't be able to do what you were meant to do." Ryan said if he didn't follow his heart and enjoy what he does, he wouldn't be here. "You also have to have confidence in yourself," he said. Ryan said when he was younger, he was shy and quiet, but he began to force himself to be in uncomfortable situations and he has become more open than he has ever been. "Be as uncomfortable as you can," he said. Ryan said there will be seven more years, but he is unsure what those seven years are going to look like. "I just want to continue and make it a priority to foster the arts in the community," he said.