A dedicated data visualization enthusiast from Ajax, Ontario, whose journey to the 2025 Iron Viz finals was paved by his compelling qualifier visualization, a creative exploration of the "Shark Tank" phenomenon. 

Meet one of the three finalists who will be on stage at Tableau Conference showcasing their incredible data visualization skills: the impressive Ryan Soares! From intern to Ambassador, Ryan's Tableau journey began in 2018 during university internships, sparked by encouragement from his brother.

The Road to the Finals: Perseverance and Growth

"I’ve learned to never underestimate yourself, the work you produce, and the time you put in. If you focus on achieving your personal goals you’ll have a more enjoyable experience, improve your viz ability, and may even win!"

This year marks Ryan's fifth time entering Iron Viz. After initially feeling intimidated, he took the leap in 2021 and was surprised by a top-ten finish. This success inspired him to return every year since, being on the top-ten again in 2022 and this year. For Ryan, Iron Viz is more than just a competition for a prize. It's a significant personal challenge and a valuable opportunity for self-improvement.

Ryan Soares’ 2025 Iron Viz Qualifiers entry

The Making of a Masterpiece

The centerpiece of Ryan's qualifier entry is a compelling Sankey diagram—which provides structure, while accompanying charts offer deeper analysis and insights within each stage. This "funnel" idea, discovered during his research, illustrates the journey from businesses applying to "Shark Tank" to the select few that secure deals, highlighting the incredibly low odds. Ryan also balanced the amount of text, providing necessary context while allowing users to uncover insights through engaging interactive elements using the dynamic zone visibility and parameter actions features.

But the true spark for his 'Shark Tank' viz came from a rather unexpected and charming source: Roosevelt—a crocheted moose that has resided on Ryan's desk for a couple of years. This moose, part of a crochet kit from a company that actually appeared on "Shark Tank" and secured a deal, sparked the opening line of his viz: 'the products that we use each day all have a story,' and shaped the visualization around exploring how businesses 'rise from the tank' and ultimately get their product into our hands.

Roosevelt—the inspiration behind Ryan's entry

"Balance is the word I would use to describe all of it. In my non-Iron Viz work, I strive for simplicity. For Iron Viz, I wanted to be more creative and build something unique that would stand out visually, while also being easy to read and quick to insight. So every decision was made with this balance in mind."

Ryan Soares’ First Iron Viz entry in 2021

"I’m excited to experience Iron Viz from the stage. I’ve watched it live from the crowd the last two years so to experience it as a contestant will be fun."

The Tableau journey that began for Ryan 7 years ago, has now brought him to prepare for the Iron Viz Competition at Tableau Conference LIVE on April 16th in San Diego. Get ready to cheer on Ryan, Kathryn McCrindle, and Bo McCready!