Here's a totally unsurprising fact...I am very insecure.
At least, very insecure about some things, generally things that don't matter. Like how I look. Actually, that's about it really.
I think I'm pretty good at a bunch of things that do matter, because they are how I make a living. Things like writing, building things, arty stuff (at times), playing instruments, creative endeavors. I also work very hard, and I like that about me.
Recently I did hit an iceberg in one respect though, and that was when my business partner decided to...Well...not be my business partner any more. I came up with this concept of bringing chopper bicycles to Australia, and making our own, and generally being the first in this part of the world to make a name for ourselves as a hub for chopper culture. If we grow enough, I have always wanted to move into motorcycles also. I just love these bikes, and I always have, so there is longevity in it for me, unlike something that is more phase-based.
So when you tell someone about your concept, and they act excited, and want to be in on it, and then after five months, suddenly it doesn't seem like a good idea any more...it kinda dents you in the side a bit. OK, a lot.
Like, your biggest source of encouragement, the person that makes you feel like you're not crazy for wanting to do this, suddenly they think it's a stupid idea, and not worth being involved in for one more minute.
And it makes you think "Shit- what if they're RIGHT?!"
And it's in those times I have an objective think.
In America and Europe, choppers RULE. The market is enormous, and the populations involved certainly don't hurt. Even a minute percentage of millions is still hundreds of thousands. Thing is, they love the design of a good chopper, and aren't hung up in the way Australians are, that if you ride a bicycle (and you're a "grown-ass man", as they say in VICE), then you're a fucking loser. Australia is, was, and always will be about four years behind the USA, so to be realistic we're on the verge of a major chopper bicycle renaissance over here. The guys from O.C.C. (Discovery Channel's 'American Chopper' series) are coming over at the end of this year, and if all goes to plan, Hellbourne Choppers (me) will be in on that action representing the pushie end of the subculture. Things are starting to move fast around here, it's exciting, and to be honest quite intimidating, in that suddenly I'm being contacted by people (like O.C.C.) who I never realistically thought I'd talk to let alone hang out with. Orders are rising, and coming from all corners of Australia, a tiny amount of action out of South-East Asia, and the possibility of quite a major push into New Zealand (where bikes are very well accepted, thank you very much!) Suddenly everyone wants a chopper in their window display, so I'm starting to get free advertising all over the show, and just returning the bikes to the distributor after a month of having them on display, at no cost to me. I'm talking major retail chains in the biggest malls in the country here. We even have a bike in the latest Jeans West TV campaign. And best of all, I'm meeting lovely people and making new friends, and being invited to come hang out and play because all of a sudden what I'm doing is cool and different and meaningful and fun and even a bit sexy, and all these peeps want a slice of that, and the guy who thought it up.
And then I go back to work energised and happy, in the belief that if enough people find out about us, we're gonna not only do fine, but possibly extremely well indeed. And that makes working seven days and six nights a week worthwhile, thinking that if this business comes off, I'm not only going to be able to afford to live like a normal person, but that I can grow my business and expand it in any way my extremely curious and concept-laden mind thinks is necessary.
One hundred positive people drown out the voice of a lone naysayer.
I have to get back to work :)
This is knifey, from 'the internet'.
