Brian Troupe, 16, grossed more than $25,000 in one summer selling ice cream from a boat. He operated out of the Bohemia River in Maryland, navigating between anchored vessels to sell frozen treats that land-based vendors couldn't reach. The business, Troupe's Treats, peaked at over $2,100 in a single weekend during the 2026 season.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing. Troupe’s initial attempt at a pier-side kiosk flopped on day one, with zero sales. Boat owners refused to drop anchor for a quick snack. "It went the worst it could have," Troupe told Entrepreneur magazine. He spent $700 of his savings on a small jon boat and $120 on bumpers to pivot. The mobile model worked immediately, netting $400 in his first weekend on the water and averaging $800 by the season's end.
For the 2026 summer, Troupe upgraded his inventory and gear. He swapped store-brand bars for Magnum and Klondike, raising the price from $2 to $3 per item. He replaced the small jon boat with a larger Sea-Doo Switch pontoon to carry a bigger freezer and serve customers at four different anchoring spots. This expansion drove the average weekend revenue to $1,800.
Serving customers on varying boat decks required improvisation. Troupe used long-handled fishing nets with wide hoops to pass up to six ice cream bars to passengers on larger vessels. Customers dropped cash into the net to settle the tab. He also kept $2 bills on hand to manage change efficiently, avoiding a shortage of singles. A free "pup cup" for dogs helped build loyalty among regulars.
Local officials took notice. Troupe presented his business model to the Cecilton Town Council in May 2026. He also competed in a statewide Maryland entrepreneurship contest, facing 63 other participants. Troupe plans to run the business for future summers while keeping his engineering ambitions alive, specifically designing roller coasters.