Sixteen-year-old business owner makes impact in Crandon

Sue Grossardt

Contributor

July 6, 2026

CRANDON – At just 16, Ryder Ackley is already running his own mobile beverage business. 

Ackley said he began growing Ravens Mobile Cafe last summer by selling products at local farmers’ markets and other events.

“I [generated] enough money from doing those markets and all of the other events that I’ve done, [which enabled me] to buy a food truck,” he said. “It was an old ice cream truck when we bought it. There were a lot of things wrong with it, but we got it up and running last week.”

Though Ackley is the driving force behind the cafe, he said he has not built the business alone. 

“My family is a huge support system,” he said. “I have a really tight-knit family and extended family, so that has been very helpful.”

Ackley said refurbishing the ice cream truck has been a major undertaking.

“[The truck] needed a lot of work, so we had to gut it,” he said. “We also needed to add all new machinery and make sure it passed all of the inspections. I needed to get the necessary licensing, too.”

Ackley said getting the truck operable has been a long process, making for a very busy year, particularly as he navigates 11th grade as an online student after transitioning during his sophomore year.

He said traditional school was difficult for him, but after making adjustments, his education improved, and he has continued to move forward academically.

Ackley said the first step in building the business began at Schaefer’s IGA in Crandon.  

“Angie and Jay Schaefer, owners of the grocery store, have gone to our church for as long as I can remember – longer than I’ve been alive,” he said. “My grandma is really good friends with them. They play pickleball on the weekends together.”

Ackley said he noticed a “dead” area in the store where self-serve coffee was offered but rarely used.

That space, he said, became the first location for the business.  

“I’m usually there from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” he said. “If I have an event with my mobile cafe, I will post [about] that online and [encourage] customers to come and find us wherever that event may be.”

Ackley said his family is fortunate to live in a close-knit town where “everyone knows everyone.” 

“[I grew up] doing big [fundraising] events with my family for my sister, who is involved in church youth groups that would go and help people affected by natural disasters,” he said. “We were all involved in other fundraising events for our church and the youth.” 

Ackley said this involvement laid the groundwork for what became a turning point in recognizing his interest in business. 

“I guess I never realized I enjoyed doing [business] as much as I did,” he said. “It just hit me after my eighth-grade summer going into freshman year that I could do this. A light bulb just went off. I said, ‘I think I want to do this with my life and even start my own business.’”

Ackley said staffing the business has not been a challenge. 

“I have my family, and they’ll come in sometimes,” he said. “I have friends from school who will join me at work. It’s just a lot of fun because everyone always wants to work with me. I’m able to get them on the schedule and can rotate them regularly.”

Ackley said his friends and family think it’s “so cool” he has his own business.

“I’m grateful for the friends I have,” he said. “They’re [all] really nice and just good people.”

Expanded menu, reach in the works

Ackley said expanding Ravens Mobile Cafe – named for a meaningful connection to a biblical reference about ravens – is part of the plan, with new ideas driven by customers wanting to try everything on the menu. 

“I thought it would be fun to offer drink flights,” he said. “I just thought it would be great to get people to try them all. Customers seem to like to take advantage of it.”

Ackley said Ravens Mobile Cafe currently serves only beverages, including coffees, dirty sodas and lemonades, but plans to expand the menu in the future to include food options. 

“I look forward to expanding into breakfast items and lighter brunch items,” he said. 

Ackley said some menu items sell better than others, with banana brew coffee as the top seller.

“That is the go-to for many,” he said. “It consists of two shots of espresso [poured] over creamer, banana syrup with banana cold foam, which is a lot like whipped cream.”

Ackley said popular drinks include the Cherry Bomb and the Apple Pie Latte.

The next step for the business, he said, is growing into a brick-and-mortar storefront.

Ackley said he currently rents space on Main Street in downtown Crandon, noting that building owner Mark Gatton approached him about occupying it. 

“I have the keys to it,” he said. “It’s just a waiting game right now to build up enough money to renovate it. We’re slowly working on it. The cafe will be located on Lake Street in the heart of downtown.”

Daily grind

Even at 16, Ackley said he understands how challenging it can be for business owners who are pulled in many directions. 

“My time is probably the greatest thing I’m working through,” he said. “I still have to make room for my family and be there for everyone when they need it. Just showing up, because showing up matters.”

Ackley said most high school students are passionate about something and that he doesn’t see himself as all that different from his peers.

“I think I just have a different drive or passion than others,” he said.

As a young entrepreneur, Ackley said he encourages others to start their own businesses, noting that age is not a barrier.

Rather, he said business success depends on being willing to try and stay committed.

“If you do something you love, you can always find a way to make money doing it,” he said. 

Recently named Student of the Year in elective business at Crandon High School, Ackley said he plans to continue his education after high school.

“I plan to enroll at Nicolet College in the culinary arts program so I can advance my food skills,” he said. “I’ll take business classes there also.”

For a look at its menu and most up-to-date hours/location, find Ravens Mobile Cafe on Facebook.