Blue Print

Competitive Gardening Is a Thing, and This Print Pro Has the Ribbons to Prove It

“I love the contradiction of taking something relaxing, like gardening, and then making it a competition.”

Published

7 months ago

August 30, 2022

Big Picture Staff BIG PICTURE August 2022 Issue

Ryan Clark
Co-Founder, Direct Edge

Ryan Clark founded Direct Edge with his business partner, Ryan Brueckner, just over 20 years ago. “This was right out of college and has since been the only life I’ve known,” he says. Starting from zero has taught him the “Do it Yourself” mindset, which keeps him attached to his inbox most of the time. But it hasn’t stopped his love of exploration, be it camping in an abandoned gold mine or finding the best burrito in Los Angeles. “It’s amazing what you can find in your own backyard, especially in Southern California. Within two hours, you can be in the forest, the desert, or swimming at the beach,” he says. “Two weeks in Europe is great, but it’s also fun to see what you can pack into a weekend and get to know your local food, culture, and history.” At home, tending to the garden is a nice stress relief for Clark, until his competitive side takes over. “I love the contradiction of taking something relaxing, like gardening, and then making it a competition.” He has won ribbons at the County Fair for five years running, including Best in Show for the whole fair last year with a 15-pound beet.

Interior Décor and Textile Printing: What Equipment Do You Need?

The First Installment of the new Interior Décor and Textiles Webinar Series, Bridging the Gap Between Commercial Peel-and-Stick Wall Graphics & Professional Home Décor, focuses on the technology used for these applications. Our expert panel of speakers cover topics such as what equipment to purchase, what to look for when purchasing, and the various applications you can offer with the equipment you currently have. Watch the first episode, sponsored by TVF, above.