Episode 6

full
Published on:

2nd Jul 2024

The Audacity of Building Your Dreams: Richard Worsham and the creation of Janus Motorcycles

This week host Marty Mechtenberg and Susan Ford talk with Richard Worsham, Co-Founder of Janus Motorcycles. Richard shares his journey Richard Worsham transitioned from architecture to designing custom motorcycles and founding Janus Motorcycles. He discusses the importance of relationships and the role of community and local resources in his entrepreneurial journey.

Marty, Susan, and, Richard discuss the evolution of Janus, from making custom mopeds to producing DOT-certified motorcycles, and the significance of maintaining a human connection in the digital age. 

 

QUOTES

  • "Motorcycles serve humanity; they give control and agency back to the rider.” -Richard Worsham [26:42]
  • “The most important thing you can do is develop connections with your customers.” -Richard Worsham [53:59]


TIMESTAMPS

(00:12) Richard Worsham's Entrepreneurial Journey with Janus Motorcycles

(06:35) Moped Army: From Fun Rides to Pushing Legal Boundaries

(16:03) Building Custom Mopeds and Motorcycles from Scratch

(25:43) The Unique Human Connection to Motorcycles and Mechanical Watches

(35:22) Launching a Unique Product with Organic Marketing and Local Support

(50:03) The Importance of Relationships in Business Success

(55:35) Advocating for Better Urbanism 







RESOURCES

Richard Worsham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardworsham/ 


CONTACT

Martin Mechtenberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-mechtenberg-515a648/ 

Susan Ford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-howard-ford-8446441/

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Rooted and Reaching

About the Podcast

Rooted and Reaching
Stories about local Startups and Founders in South Bend and Elkhart
There’s a job to do, and in the South Bend - Elkhart region, a midwestern work ethic is changing the narrative from rusty to ready. Our cities are opening up and working together as a region—universities are engaging beyond their campuses, sharing their brainpower and realizing that they’re bigger and better with the community behind them. Organizations are reaching out to newcomers and helping them build local networks, leveling the playing field. Infrastructure is being creatively adapted to be gathering places where new deals are made, new collisions happen, and new entrepreneurs take root. Join the Rooted & Reaching podcast, where we discuss the startup life with entrepreneurs with connections to the South Bend - Elkhart region.

In doing this, we will inform the general public and ourselves about what resources are available and the major pain points of entrepreneurs in our region. This podcast is also intended to tell the amazing stories of our local entrepreneurs in the hope that it will inspire another person in the region considering an entrepreneurial pursuit to take that leap of faith and see the supportive atmosphere in the area.