Creative Community-building through great ideas and connections
Smolarcorp
What We Do
We move communities forward together
About Ryan Smolar
Ryan has spent his career bolstering local creatives, small businesses, and mission-driven organizations
BID Management & Promotion
Ryan Smolar managed the Downtown Santa Ana business improvement district for nearly a decade
Food Systems
Ryan Smolar Co-Leads Long Beach Fresh, a food systems alliance of 70+ urban farmers, chefs, gardeners and local food advocates
Global Placemaking
Ryan Smolar initiated PlacemakingUS, the United States placemaking network that's part of the global PlacemakingX movement
Festivals & Forums
Ryan Smolar manages and promotes numerous food festivals, community-building events and forums
Community Platforms
Ryan Smolar has created several community platforms for all boats to rise together and level the playing field for creatives and initiators
Arts Registry
Testimonials
What People Say About Us
“Ryan is a go getter and networker, and connects dots like I have never seen. He has an ability to take anything and make it something. He is also a peacemaker, and has been able to connect groups that didn't speak to find ways to work together and mutually benefit.”
Ryan Chase
Property Owner and Developer
“I have to say that Ryan’s creativity was the spark that opened up the floodgates to and of all the creativity in my business district. I call him my muse. He inspired me to try new things for this district, experiment, and figure out how to best promote our businesses while also engaging our local community and customer base.”
Blair Cohn
BID Executive Director
“Ryan is one of a kind. He’s a big thinking idea machine who can actually drill down and execute concepts that no one would have thought of much less dared to make into reality. He’s got the stuff to make magic out of a handful of beans.”
Justin Hectus
Festival Producer & Community Leader
“Smolarcorp, the brainchild of Ryan Smolar, is an evolving platform whose seemingly single purpose is to pose the question “why not?” Through its various endeavors, Smolarcorp works to identify needs and opportunities, connecting the dots to meet those needs and take advantage of those opportunities...With its youthful exuberance, organic approach to building community, and willingness to challenge tradition even while respecting a city's historic past, Smolarcorp has approached each of its projects with an open-mind, while still evincing an uncanny understanding of the forces in play.”
Brian Ulaszewski
Community Design Studio Principle
“Ryan - thank you for putting your heart into everything you've done for Downtown Santa Ana. You have done more for downtown Santa Ana, have galvanized business owners, and brought artists, and makers together. You more than deserve to be recognized for your hard work and I am grateful for you and everything you've done to make Santa Ana a fun and vibrant downtown area.”
Yvonne Flores
Small Business Owner, Downtown Resident & Boardmember
“Thank you Ryan Smolar for all you have done and do for our city. I for one am very grateful for all the help and support you've given the library and our Teenspace over the years!”
Cheryl Eberly
Director of Santa Ana Library System