7 Years, 1 Big Win: The Business of Building a TV Empire - with Ryan J. Lindsay

Welcome to the first episode of Launch Stories, a podcast diving into the journeys of builders, creators, and entrepreneurs who transform bold ideas into successful ventures. In this episode, we sit down with Ryan J. Lindsay, a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur who pivoted from running a digital marketing agency and dropshipping businesses to creating the hit TV series The Trades. Ryan’s story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and strategic risk-taking qualities every business leader can relate to.

From being wheeled out of a hospital on a gurney while his crew toasted with Coronas, to pitching a scrappy five-minute proof of concept in Toronto, Ryan’s path to success was unconventional and relentless. After seven years of navigating rejection, refining his vision, and seizing opportunities—like collaborating with the Trailer Park Boys team - he turned The Trades, inspired by the blue-collar petrochemical community he knows well, into a multimillion-dollar production.

In this conversation, Ryan reveals how he scaled from solo side projects to managing a massive team, making hundreds of high-stakes decisions daily, and balancing the demands of leadership with mental and physical health. For business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators, Ryan’s 0-to-1 journey offers actionable insights on overcoming obstacles, pivoting with purpose, and driving a passion project to profitability. Tune in for a story that proves persistence and adaptability can turn even the wildest ideas into a winning enterprise.