Rising Stars: Meet Ryan Lagasse

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Lagasse.

Hi Ryan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I worked at the MILK cafe bar while I was getting my degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. That’s where my coffee background comes from.

I started making ceramics when I first moved to Los Angeles in 2015. I was taking classes at Pasadena City College and fell in love with the medium pretty much immediately.

I worked in photo production as a coordinator previous to opening the mobile shop, mostly with fashion and lifestyle clients. When on set, I always noticed a need in the market for quality coffee in a timely manner and served in a way that had a nod toward thoughtful aesthetics.

The idea was to combine two things that I love (coffee and clay) and bring them to a market with need (on-set artisanal service). The goal has always been to achieve financial independence and be my own boss.

Looking back on it, I always knew that I wanted to own my own business; I just never knew how that would materialize. When Covid happened it gave me the time and space to really sit down, write out a business plan, lock in a loan with the SBA (my loan is part of the Community Advantage Program), and eventually sign on the dotted line. Once the loan had closed, I was on the hook to make it all happen.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not easy or smooth haha.

From the start, I was opening a business during Covid, so there were a ton of delays due to that. It took about a year and a half to completely build the shop out when it usually takes about six months. There was a lot of apprehension and nervous anxiety in those months.

Once the shop opened, it was a huge learning curve. I’m familiar with coffee and clay, but I was not familiar with the mechanics of generators or the ins and outs of general food truck upkeep! In the first month I had multiple issues with the generator, water supply, reverse osmosis system, bus battery and grey water tanks. And then there was the actual driving and parking of the bus. I’ve been asked to leave legal spots a few times and had an unwanted run in with a tree and other food truck (oof!).

The biggest struggle so far happened about six months in when my generator completely shut down. It took three weeks to get in to see a qualified generator tech, so the shop was down that whole time. The problem ended up being a rare manufacturer error, but I was just out of warranty so it cost me a pretty penny after being down for a while.

So there ya have it!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a ceramicist and business owner. I enjoy making things and using my hands. In ceramics, I only hand build – you’ll pretty much never see me on a wheel. I prefer the slower and more organic practice of hand building. I’m most known for my cups and mugs; they’re my favorite to make and most of what I sell from the artisan shop inside the bus.

I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I grew up in a very athletic-based family, so art and focusing on art and my artistic side was never something I thought much about. 14 years of living in New York and Los Angeles, meeting tons of other creative people, and being encouraged to dive deeper into that creative side of me through a creative community has been a true gift. It’s helped shape and inform the person that I am and that I want to be.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Well, people always want coffee no matter which way the financial, economic, and environmental winds turn. I love experimenting with different flavor combinations and drink textures. Being able to be creative and innovative in that way within the coffee environment really gets me going and keeps me excited. So I want to keep doing more of that type of stuff while also keeping true to classics.

On a larger scale, my hope is that I can either open a second mobile shop or plant some more permanent roots with a brick-and-mortar location. The location has to be just right though.

Pricing:

• Ceramic mugs are $50 for 1 or $90 for a pair.
• Specialty lattes are $7.25

Contact Info:

•  Website: thisislittlelamb.com
• Instagram: thisislittlelamb

Image Credits
Ryan Lagasse (me)