Author Topic: Two Furloughed Workers Follow Passion to Start New Business  (Read 2054 times)

ergophobe

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Two Furloughed Workers Follow Passion to Start New Business
« on: December 12, 2020, 06:31:58 AM »
This article makes me super happy

Two furloughed workers use their passion to start a new business
https://abc30.com/localish/two-furloughed-workers-use-their-passion-to-start-a-new-business/8414767/

Quote
After 30 years in the hospitality industry, Mike and Jorge were furloughed due to the pandemic. Using the opportunity for change, they started their own business and created Pedal Forward Bike and Adventure shop near Yosemite National Park in California.

Jorge is my old officemate and Mike is my old boss, with an office just across the hall from me and Jorge. I'm so proud of them for not sitting around to see if things would work out, but starting work on business plans and ideas and getting permits and certifications and everything starting pretty much as soon as it was obvious this wasn't going to be over by May. Their main problem is they getting in stock, but they already have a thriving business just on doing repairs.... nobody can buy a new bike, so everyone is getting their existing bike repaired. Parts can be bought, but bikes are almost impossible to find.

Rupert

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Re: Two Furloughed Workers Follow Passion to Start New Business
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2020, 07:44:50 AM »
Great News.  And we need all of the good news we can find.
... Make sure you live before you die.

Brad

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Re: Two Furloughed Workers Follow Passion to Start New Business
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2020, 11:48:51 AM »
This is great.  New interest in bikes seems to be part of the longer term generation shift so it's great they saw an opportunity.

ergophobe

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Re: Two Furloughed Workers Follow Passion to Start New Business
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2020, 04:52:31 PM »
Yeah, it's great. Jorge really liked his old job - he was the environmental compliance guy and had done things like putting in a zero-waste plan and was working on the business case for covering the parking lot in solar panels and being able offer both covered parking and generate power. So he was passionate. I was worried about him finding something that would engage him as much, but as much as he is an environmental advocate, biking is probably a bigger share of his brain, so it's great to see

Mike's job was stressful and demanded a lot of hours and a lot of corporate types second-guessing decisions. Despite working seven days a week to get the business off the ground, he just seems so much less stressed out.

They're both people I care about who have been good to me, so it really does make me feel good to see them making this go. And long term, I'll be able to trade for services (they already offer me free stuff in return for some advice on getting up and running online, but I told them I'll come begging once they're profitable, but pay my way until then).
« Last Edit: December 12, 2020, 04:55:02 PM by ergophobe »