Father · Husband · Entrepreneur · Fayetteville, NC
Ryan
Harrell
Family man. Serial entrepreneur. 60+ awards. Building real businesses in the real world — from the tattoo studio floor to the boardroom.
Family man. Serial entrepreneur. 60+ awards. Building real businesses in the real world — from the tattoo studio floor to the boardroom.
Ryan Harrell is a Fayetteville, NC-based entrepreneur with over two decades of experience building brands, leading companies, and creating ecosystems that others said couldn't exist.
As the co-founder of American Tattoo Society, Ryan turned a single tattoo studio near Fort Bragg into the most recognized tattoo brand serving military communities across the United States — the pioneers who wrote the regulations for on-base tattooing with the U.S. Army.
As the founder of the All American Tattoo Convention, he created one of the most respected tattoo events on the East Coast, raising over $100,000 for veteran-focused nonprofits since 2016.
Before ATS, Ryan built and sold three award-winning marketing firms, earning recognition as one of 40 Under 40 in Southeastern NC and winning 60+ national and international awards for design, marketing, and business excellence.
His mission is clear: keep the tattoo industry controlled by tattooing, keep military communities served, and keep building what others only talk about.
Born and raised in Fayetteville — home of Fort Bragg and the 82nd Airborne. Ryan's connection to military culture isn't a marketing angle; it's personal.
Co-founder of ARC Design Agency and multiple marketing firms. Ryan has been building brands online since before social media existed.
Named one of the top young entrepreneurs in Southeastern North Carolina. Advisor to both FTCC (Fayetteville Technical Community College) and FSU (Fayetteville State University) — contributing expertise to entrepreneurship and creative programs in his hometown.
Board member at Operation Tattooing Freedom — providing therapeutic tattooing for veterans managing combat-related PTSD and trauma.
ATS pioneered on-base tattooing — writing the regulations with the U.S. Army to make it possible — and built one of the most respected tattoo brands in military communities nationwide. With 5 locations and a legacy of excellence, ATS has the highest-rated studios in their markets and a reputation built on craft, not compromise.
One of the most celebrated tattoo conventions on the East Coast. The AATC brings together world-class artists, military communities, and ink culture — and has donated over $80K to veteran nonprofits since its founding.
Premium, medical-grade tattoo and piercing aftercare developed to meet the highest standards. Built for professionals and clients who refuse to compromise on the healing process.
A Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising company that places screens inside local businesses — building a hyper-local network that connects community advertisers with real audiences in real places.
One of Ryan's award-winning marketing firms, where he built expertise in web development, brand design, and digital strategy from the ground up — before the industry had a playbook for any of it.
Ryan served as Partner and Creative Director at 219 Group, a full-service creative agency. He sold his stake to partner Kirk deViere in 2014 — exiting to co-found American Tattoo Society with his wife Nicole and plant his flag fully in the tattoo industry.
Ryan's first business — an ecommerce operation selling video games on eBay and through his own online storefront. Started in 1999, GamePusher was the spark that lit the entrepreneurial fire. He closed it in 2001 to open a web design studio that eventually became ARC Design Agency.
The Harrells are highlighted as founders of AATC, which has donated over $100K to veteran nonprofits since 2016 and is consistently named one of the top tattoo events nationwide.
Ryan is quoted as President of ATS on the expansion into the Norfolk Naval Station market, highlighting ATS's legacy as the pioneering tattoo brand that wrote the book on military community tattooing.
"Having the passion, drive and know-how to pull off a convention of this size and quality is no easy thing. Yet Ryan has done it above and beyond." — Featured interview at AATC.
Ryan speaks on ATS's daily commitment to veterans and active-duty soldiers, announcing a formal partnership to provide therapeutic tattooing for those healing from combat trauma.
Ryan comments on growth milestones, including adding James Vaughn (Inkmaster Season 1) as Artist Manager and opening on Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas — a historic first-of-its-kind milestone.
A landmark partnership sponsoring 50 veteran tattoos through the Ink Fund initiative at a new ATS grand opening — showcasing Ryan's commitment to service beyond business.
25+ years of building brands, growing businesses, and navigating industries others couldn't crack. Ryan brings hard-won, real-world expertise to founders, operators, and creatives who need someone who's actually done it — not just talked about it.
Ryan built the largest on-base tattoo brand in U.S. military history from scratch. He knows studio operations, artist management, multi-location expansion, military market penetration, and how to position a tattoo brand to last. Whether you're opening your first shop or scaling to 10, Ryan has walked that road.
60+ national and international awards for design and marketing don't happen by accident. Ryan has built and sold three marketing agencies and directed creative for dozens of brands. From naming and visual identity to digital presence and content strategy — he'll help you build something people remember.
Founding and running the All American Tattoo Convention since 2016 taught Ryan everything about producing world-class events — logistics, artist booking, sponsorship, community engagement, and turning a convention into a movement. If you're building a live event in the tattoo or creative industries, this is the consultation you need.
Ryan started building brands online before most people had a Facebook account. He's led campaigns, built agencies, and grown businesses through organic SEO, paid media, and social content — with a specialty in local and military market targeting for service businesses.
Ryan has built businesses in wildly different industries — from digital agencies and security companies to tattoo empires and live events. He doesn't offer theory. He offers the hard lessons, the right questions, and the framework that comes from two-plus decades of building, failing, and building again.
ATS was the first tattoo brand to ever operate on U.S. military installations — and Ryan was the one who made it happen, writing the regulations with the U.S. Army from scratch. He navigated the MWR system, built base command relationships, and mastered the unique demands of military community business. For businesses looking to serve or partner with the military market, his experience is unmatched.
Ryan takes a limited number of consulting engagements each quarter. Reach out with what you're building — project-based, retainer, or advisory board arrangements considered. No fluff. Just real conversations about real business.
Whether you're looking to partner on a venture, book Ryan for speaking, media inquiries, or collaboration on the tattoo industry's future — the door is open.
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