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Ryder Matz is the owner of Ryder’s Travelling Gumball Machine, which has sold more than 3,100 gumballs in the four years he’s been in business.
In celebration of National Entrepreneurship Week this year, we’re highlighting a few of the outstanding youth entrepreneurs we work with as part of the YouthBiz program. Meet today’s featured entrepreneur: Ryder Matz, the owner of Ryder’s Travelling Gumball Machine!
Although some young people have just started their businesses, Ryder is a seasoned veteran–impressive given the fact that Ryder is just 11 years old. Four years ago, Ryder received a gumball machine for his seventh birthday and a business was born! Ryder now has a few gumball machines that he places around his community in restaurants, coffee shops, insurance companies, music studios, and more, and he donates 20% of his profit to local nonprofits. With an estimated 3,100 gumballs sold, Ryder has donated more than $300. According to Ryder, “It’s fun to see my gumball machines around town, and it feels good to give back.”
In 2019, Ryder applied for and won the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition, an annual youth business competition held by Young Americans Center for Financial Education. In addition to earning $1,000, Ryder also gained a mentor: “the awesome” Leroy Williams, CEO of CyberTeKIQ LLC. “We have continued to stay in touch,” says Ryder, and he looks forward to what the next year will bring.
Discover where Ryder’s Travelling Gumball Machine is headed next on his Facebook page, and the next time you’re in the Louisville area, visit one of his gumball machines for yourself!
Applications are now open for the 2021 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition! Young business owners, age 6-21, can earn up to a $5,000 cash prize plus a year-long mentorship with a Colorado business leader. Apply by June 12.
