Ryan Tripp, Dayton’s Donut Entrepreneur

For Ryan, it all started at age 14. I had spoken at a Career Day at Springboro Junior High. My talk was on how to properly fill out an Application, we did a mock interview with the kids and emphasized the importance of how to set yourself apart from your competition.

Ryan was hired within a week at age 14 and eventually became a Baker, Mgr. He stayed with me on a part time basis when he entered Wright State University full time and earned a Neuro Science Degree. Just out of college he was hired as a Gastroenterologist/ Diabetes Specialist from 2015- 2016. Kind of ironic right, being in the “sweets business” for many years.

After a year, he switched gears and approached me about starting his own Donut Shop. He opened Bear Creek Donuts/ Miamisburg a few short months later in April, 2016. That shop was successful as soon as he opened the doors.

In 2017, he was was interested in opening a second one. I said “where are we going now Ryan” He wanted a location in West Carrollton and I knew that market was underserved. Instead of going that way, we began talks of Ryan purchasing the D Haus and me hanging up my rolling pin. We put a Succession Plan together and on 1-16- 2018 he took over.

I could not be more proud of his accomplishments during these 5 years to bring fresh ideas, additional products, donut birthday cakes, tours and many things to keep his customers engaged. He started giving back right away to the communities he does business in.

During the past 2 years what really makes me proud of him…he became the mentor to 2 men that have opened their own donut shops.

One of his friends from HS, Clay Fillinger, a full time firefighter in Xenia approached him about his desire to start a shop there. For 6 months, Clay shadowed at the D Haus to learn the business and opened up Glazed Donut Eatery/ in Xenia in 2021.

Fast forward to October of 2021 and Ryan mentored a young man at the D Haus who also started there at age 14. Luke Lawrence then opened his own Shop in the W Carrollton/ Moraine area at age 19 that Ryan had talked about a site at one time. Hence, Hole N One Donuts was born and has also been successful and well received from these communities.