Zesty Meyers (co-founder of R & Company) joins Fernando Mastrangelo for a raw, inspiring conversation about his incredible 30+ year journey in the design world.
From performing with molten glass as part of the legendary B Team, to starting what later became R & Company with just $200 at the Chelsea Flea Market, to shaping the modern collectible design market — this episode is packed with philosophy, hard-earned lessons, and optimism for the future of craft and design.
Topics covered:
- The dying craft scene of the late ’80s and why they had to create their own path
- Turning a hobby into one of the most influential design galleries in the world
- Why most creatives only have one great idea, and why that’s worth celebrating
- The future of handmade objects in the age of AI and billionaires
- Longevity in creative careers, failure, and building real partnerships with artists
Notable Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Welcome
01:10 – Pilchuck Glass School & the Birth of the B Team
14:02 – Starting R & Company in 1997: The Flea Market Days
28:23 – Most People Only Have One Great Idea
32:02 – Bringing in Contemporary Artists (Jeff Zimmerman & Beyond)
43:48 – The Haas Brothers & Building Long Careers
50:36 – Year 11 Struggles: What No One Tells You About Creative Careers
53:06 – Why Handmade Objects Will Define New Wealth in the AI Age
61:02 – Brazilian Design Discovery & Building a Secondary Market
72:07 – Tribeca Space, Fairs & Refocusing the Gallery Program
82:53 – Final Thoughts: Raising Our Voice as a Design Community
If you’re a designer, artist, collector, or someone who loves stories of grit and creativity, this one will move you.
Subscribe for more deep dives into the design world!Leave a comment: What’s one lesson you’re taking from Zesty?
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