From Hobby to Hustle: How Ralph’s Ranks Firewood Built a Brand from the Ground Up
At Kick Print, we don’t just print shirts—we help build brands. And there’s no better example of that than Ryan Bonacker, the founder of Ralph’s Ranks Firewood. What started as a side hustle to buy his first pickup has now grown into a full-time firewood and hauling business that’s setting the bar in service and quality.
We’ve had the privilege of working alongside Ryan as he grew his brand. From T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and decals to helping craft his logo design, Kick Print has been proud to be part of the journey.
🔥 Meet the Man Behind the Ranks
Ryan’s story is proof that with grit, hustle, and heart—you can turn passion into a profession. Seventeen years ago, Ryan started selling firewood on the side. Fast forward to today, and Ralph’s Ranks is a full-blown business that’s doubled year after year.
The turning point? Clearing land to build his home and saving the logs to sell seasoned firewood. He sold out in a week. That moment lit the fire—literally and figuratively—and he hasn’t looked back.
🐾 Who’s Ralph?
The business name pays tribute to Ryan’s golden retriever, Ralph. From the early days to now, Ralph has been a constant companion—riding shotgun in the delivery truck, supervising at the wood lot, and adding a whole lot of heart to the brand.
This is Ralph, the real boss!
💼 From Logs to LLC
Ryan made it official by forming an LLC and gradually shifted from part-time to full-time, eventually stepping away from his other job completely. In 2024, he hit a major milestone: 100% self-employed and working for himself.
Even better? He’s expanded into hauling services, picking up extra work with a dump truck he originally bartered repairs for. It’s the kind of smart hustle we admire—and love supporting.
💬 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Ryan’s advice for anyone thinking about starting a business?
“Do it. If I would have done this 17 years ago right out of the gate, I couldn’t imagine what I could have built.”
It’s simple but powerful. Sometimes, the only thing standing between you and your future is just getting started.
💪 A Business Built on Grit
During our time working with Ryan, one thing became clear: this isn’t just about firewood—it’s about doing things right. Whether it’s delivering high-quality seasoned wood or showing up on time with a clean truck and a handshake, Ralph’s Ranks Firewood is raising the standard.
And we’re honored to play a small role in helping him look as good as he works.
The view from above Ralph’s Ranks Firewood.
👀 What We Did for Ralph’s Ranks Firewood
We love helping our clients bring their brand to life in practical, durable ways. Here’s a breakdown of what we created for Ryan and his growing business:
Full Color T-Shirts: Ryan wanted shirts that could capture all the intricate details of his brand and still hold up to long days of physical labor. We delivered.
Hoodies: Supplied during the cold winter months to keep him and his team warm while staying on-brand.
Hats: Rather than traditional embroidery, which would compromise the fine details of his logo, we used full-color print—and it’s stood up to the hard, dirty work.
Beverage Insulators: Perfect for handing out and keeping on hand, these printed beverage holders support the brand even during downtime.
Door Decals: Custom door decals for Ryan’s dump truck ensure every delivery is also a rolling billboard.
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Want to see your business featured like this?
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