#106 - Ryan Miller on Building Bold Ideas in Small Cities

In this episode of Referrals Done Right, Scott and Kelly Grates sit down with Ryan Miller — the driving force behind the thINCubator, founder of Rust Belt Startup, and a true connector in the Mohawk Valley. What unfolds is a masterclass in community building, modern entrepreneurship, and the power of showing up and serving others. From humble beginnings in New York Mills to becoming one of the area’s most trusted startup advisors, Ryan shares stories of failure, resilience, and the creative path that led him to empowering the next generation of founders.

You’ll hear why relationships are more valuable than resumes, how proximity and engineered serendipity can change your life, and what Ryan believes is the real opportunity for cities like Utica to become launchpads for dreamers and doers. This is more than a conversation about referrals — it’s about people, purpose, and how making one coffee connection a week could change everything.

Episode Highlights:
• Why identifying a problem worth solving is step one for any new idea
• The myth of startup grants — and what new entrepreneurs really need to know
• How Ryan uses “referrals” to build a personal brand, community trust, and momentum
• The power of reframing "networking" as simply connecting humans to other humans
• How the Mohawk Valley can become one of the best places in the country to start a small business

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Episode Markers:
(0:00) - Show Intro
(0:55) - Introducing Ryan
(2:00) - Life Long Mohawk Valley Resident
(2:45) - Backpacking Europe & Ithaca College
(4:35) - Bands, Kitchens & Startups
(5:45) - Starting at Thinc
(7:45) - Common Questions
(9:50) - Thincubator Overview & SBDC
(12:00) - Professional Vibe & Networking
(13:45) - Relationships > Resumes
(17:00) - Coffee & Connections
(19:00) - Founders Seeking Flexibility
(21:00) - Starting a Company
(23:15) - Rust Belt Startup Podcast
(26:20) - Common Denominator Success Habits
(28:45) - Building Your Brand Online
(29:45) - Quality Throughout Customer Journey
(30:50) - Smaller Market & Identifying White Space
(33:15) - What Does Success Look Like Here?
(34:00) - Opportunities in CNY & Cultural Significance
(35:45) - Building From the Bottom
(37:30) - Best First Step
(40:15) - Engineered Serendipity
(44:20) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Ryan Miller's Links:
RBS Website - https://rustbeltstartup.com
Thinc Website - https://thincubator.co
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thincubator
Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rust-belt-startup/id1375151705
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryancmiller315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rustbeltstartup

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Scott Grates' Links:
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org
Referrals Done Right FB Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/296359076662332
Scott Grates Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Love Living Local  - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's - https://www.instagram.com/scottgrates
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@scott.grates