🛠️ Building Something Real (From the Shed)

I’ve been trying to figure out my place in the new media landscape since 2007.

I’ve read the books, taken the courses, launched bold ideas, succeeded at some, failed at others. Last year I went through two business incubators—one for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, and another through the SBA’s T.H.R.I.V.E. Emerging Leaders program. Both were focused on growing my marketing consulting work at Collins Media.

But a mix of burnout, the current economy, and the rise of AI forced me to step back and ask: What do I actually want to do now?

ChatGPT has been a surprisingly useful tool. It helps me brainstorm, pressure test ideas, and walk through lean canvases. I’ve used it to dig into dozens of possible directions. Some I’ve validated, some I’ve thrown out. Eventually, I landed on a question I hadn’t asked in a while:

What am I already good at, what do I already have, and what would I actually enjoy?

I’ve got a solid day job with great benefits, so I don’t need a full-time grind. But I’d love to generate some extra income doing something I care about. I’ve got a shed full of production gear, a fiber connection to the world, a deep love for motorcycles and motorsports, and 25+ years of storytelling and content experience to back it all up.

I’ve started plenty of shows over the years—Beer Utopia, MotoArkansas, The Stream Show—each with varying levels of success. But most eventually demanded more time or money than I could give, or they just didn’t pan out in the long run.

When I looked back at the moments I truly loved, they were tied to bikes, creativity, and getting my hands dirty. So I’ve decided to lean into that.

🎯 The Goal Is Simple

Build a motorcycle-inspired lifestyle brand I can run from my shed—and make $2,500 a month doing it.

Here’s the plan:

• The Problem
  We’re drowning in digital noise. More people are craving a return to hands-on work, tangible skills, and slower, analog experiences. Creative folks, especially, are burnt out from hustle culture and algorithm-chasing.
• Who It’s For
  • 30–55-year-old creatives and makers
  • Motorcycle and vintage culture lovers
  • Gen Xers are feeling nostalgic but restless
  • DIYers, mechanics, and garage tinkerers
  • Anyone looking to reconnect with meaning and craft
• What Makes It Different
  This won’t be polished influencer fluff. It’s gritty, real, and rooted in old-school garage energy. A brand built in public—one project at a time.
• What I’ll Make
  • Short-form stories on TikTok/Instagram
  • Deep-dive videos on YouTube
  • A monthly zine (print or digital)
  • Handmade goods (leather fobs, patches, etc.)
  • Vintage-inspired merch (shirts, hats, stickers)
  • A documented journey into racing, restoring, and building
• How I’ll Make It Sustainable
  • Zine sales and subscriptions
  • Branded merch and handmade goods
  • Ko-fi donations and tips
  • Partnerships or sponsor support (down the road)
• What It Costs
  • Zine printing & shipping
  • Materials for handmade goods
  • Small-batch merch production
  • Garage/shop supplies and gear
  • Racing fees (part of the story)
• How I’ll Measure Progress
  • Monthly product sales
  • Email list growth
  • Views, likes, shares
  • Ko-fi tips coming in
  • Personal milestones (bike builds, race entries)
• Why I Can Do It
  • 25+ years in content and branding
  • Real-world experience in motorcycles, shop work, and storytelling
  • A shed full of gear and a brain full of stories

Next up: branding.

I’ll be working on the name, logo, colors, and overall vibe—something that reflects this analog-first, slow-made, soul-driven project.

Stay tuned.