When Business Success Can Mean More Than Just Making Money

Name: Jeremy Malman

Business: Worth Motorcycle Company

Founded: 2013

When Jeremy Malman was accepted into a highly competitive PhD programme, he was elated. But nearly 3 years into his clinical psychology coursework with at-risk adolescents, he was disillusioned. Not by the kids—Jeremy loved helping teens who were having trouble at home, in school and in life. His frustration stemmed from a deep desire to support struggling youths in real, meaningful ways. So he opened a motorcycle workshop, with a twist.

What gave you the courage to leave academia?

At the time, I was frustrated. My academic peers didn’t seem to share my complete, unwavering commitment to making things better for kids. When I thought about what I really wanted to be doing with my life, I remembered how grounding it had been to work with my hands, fixing motorcycles. There’s nothing esoteric about it—you turn a screw, it tightens. Do it wrong, someone could die.

But I’d been in school almost all of my adult life. I didn’t want a job. I wanted to do something meaningful. I’m someone who gets bored so quickly. But when I had the idea for Worth Motorcycles, it just seemed right. Easy. Seamless. There was no long-winded explanation required. 

How did you develop your business idea?

I found a business partner. I guess I wanted another person to legitimise my idea. He’s not involved anymore, but—back then—we would meet a couple times a week to talk about business planning, strategy, marketing and branding.

This friend was a motorcycle guy. I wasn’t. I grew up in the suburbs—I’d never changed oil in my life. I mean, I loved motorcycles, and I raced BMX bikes when I was younger. But I figured I’d be behind the scenes. I never imagined I’d be on the front lines working with bikes like I am today.

How does your business work?

Today, I have 9 or 10 volunteers who work with up to 14 participants, who range in age from 14 to 22. The kids come to us through schools and non-profit organisations that support at-risk youth through vocational training and mentorship.

These kids aren’t attending school. They’ve been in foster care. They have never succeeded at anything in life. Here, they succeed. But it’s not really about building motorcycles. It’s about building the idea you can succeed.

What’s been your biggest challenge?

Managing money, for sure. Until I started working for myself, I’d always avoided making money the centre of my life. That mindset definitely made things chaotic. For a while, I was spiralling into chaos—no systems in place, nothing was written down, just kids and bikes everywhere. It was a mess!

I knew I needed help. So, I hired an outside accounting agency that specialises in working with not-for-profit organisations. Relinquishing control and recognising my limitations has been a big mind-shift for me. I’ve grown up a bit, I guess.

It hasn’t been easy, because this business is my baby. But I’ve come to terms with the fact that getting help from other people only increases the likelihood of success.

What has being an entrepreneur taught you?

We teach our kids if you focus on something, you can succeed. That philosophy helped me start this business without knowing anything. Running a business is hard, but I have no intention of ever working for someone else. I can’t imagine asking for permission to go pick up my son from school.

Maybe more importantly, I’ve learned if you haven’t broken anything, you haven’t really tried. Failure is the precursor to true success. That’s a good thing for business owners to remember. You’ve got to be willing to break stuff.

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