Ryan Connolly

Ryan Connolly (PolSci) has made a living as the owner of Grassroots California, which sells hats with Jerry Garcia’s artwork, Jimi Hendrix’s face and Monarch, the California grizzly bear, depicted on the state’s flag. Ryan sells most of his hats online, but also through a store in Chicago and Denver, a popup store in Barcelona, Spain, and a warehouse in Stapleton, Colo. Ryan has 23 employees. He founded the company on the Venice Beach boardwalk.