Powerschool GoGuardian Naviance Aimsweb Semstracker EdReflect SchoolDude Virtual Paragon Frontline Alio Service Portal

Ryan Mettendorf: Student, Friend, and Entrepreneur

A student, friend, and inspiration to many, has stepped into the spotlight at Woodland Regional High School. Ryan Mettendorf, only fifteen years old, owns his own baking company.

Mettendorf started his journey to entrepreneurship in January 2021 with the creation of Ryan’s Baking Company. He sells baked goods that vary from from chocolate chip cookies to elaborately designed cakes. 

“My inspiration for each piece is seeing other people’s creations and successes,” said Mettendorf. 

“They influence me to try new things, as well as push me out of my comfort zone,” Mettendorf’s passion to create new things and advance his business drives him to work hard everyday.

Not only does he work hard, but he finds joy in what he does.

“My favorite thing to bake is definitely cakes because it’s a big surface that I can do whatever I want with,” Mettendorf stated. “I feel like cupcakes limit the designs and decorations I can put on them.”

As a full time student it is difficult for Mettendorf to manage a business at the same time; however, he has a schedule that keeps everything organized. If a project needs to be completed by Saturday, Mettendorf will start the work on Thursday night. In a similar way, if he needs to get something done for Sunday, he will start it on Friday night.

“It is important that I work in parts so I don’t have to do everything at once and I don’t have to rush,” Mettendorf said.

While baking is a huge part of his life, Mettendorf has other passions outside of school and work. He enjoys spending time with his friends and being social, as well as going out to Dunkin or the mall. 

“I really love going anywhere I can buy things,” Mettendorf said.

Listening to music and watching American Horror Story are always Mettendorfs go-tos at any time of day, but baking in particular holds a special place in his heart.

“Baking is my escape to be as creative and crazy as I want.”

Although Mettendorf does not look up to one person specifically, he pulls his creativity from a variety of people who push him to set higher expectations for himself. Lady Gaga perfectly exemplifies the goals that Mettendorf wants to reach.

“If I could have dinner with one person in the world, it would have to be Lady Gaga. She is an inspiration to so many people because of the way she carries herself, her music, and her genuine personality.”

Mettendorf essentially looks up to people who are living a life that makes them happy. In the future he hopes to live a happy life himself. This means working in the medical field, getting a nursing degree, and traveling wherever he wants to go. Of course baking will be a part of his future, but he currently does not plan on opening a bakery down the road. It is important to Mettendorf that he focuses on school and turning his med-school dreams into a reality. 

“I want to go places,” he said. “I want to live a life that makes me happy.”

Ava Muharem

Learn More →