Tough, smart business advice on what it takes to run a successful business–from the star of the hit TLC show American Chopper
You could hardly blame someone for being intimidated if they ran into big Paul Teutul in a dark alley. Massive and mustachioed, frequently scowling, and decked out in a sleeveless tee with tattooed biceps bulging, he strikes an imposing figure. But as the millions of people who follow his family business on TLC's popular show American Chopper know, Paul Sr. is not only a nice guy, but a great businessman as well.
Since founding Orange County Choppers in Upstate New York in 1999, Teutul has grown the business from a hobby into a 70-person-plus operation that produces and sells 150 custom bikes a year at retail prices starting at $30,000 and quickly escalating to six figures. Teutul and his team not only sell their choppers from their world headquarters in Newburgh, New York, but throughout a multicountry dealership network in the US and abroad. Paul and his sons build the best one-of-a-kind choppers in the world with unrivaled passion, creativity, and honesty.
In The Ride of a Lifetime, Teutul elucidates the business principles that have made Orange County Choppers a household name. His smart, commonsense business wisdom works for businesses both big and small in any industry. Here, readers will learn firsthand how Teutul built a uniquely successful business by working hard and demanding it from others; encouraging and embracing unfettered creativity; establishing well-defined roles for every team member and demanding they support each other; and using honest conflict and confrontation to solve problems and constantly innovate. The Ride of a Lifetime is a smart, tough-as-nails guide to business success that every entrepreneur should read.
Paul Teutul, Sr (Montgomery, NY), is the founder of Orange County Choppers, one of the world's premier builders of custom motorcycles. He formerly ran a family-owned steel fabrication shop before he began building custom bikes as a hobby, eventually founding Orange County Choppers in 1999. Since 2002, he and his business have been the subject of the hit TLC show American Chopper.
Amazon Exclusive: Photos and Commentary from Paul TeutulTriumph Flames Bike - This bike, called Triumph Flames, is a classic example of an old school bobber. This bike was inspired by the first bike that I ever owned, a 1971 Triumph, which is still in my garage today.
Pitchfork Bike - The Pitchfork bike is another classic ‘60s-style chopper with extended forks and elongated frame. I love the sissy bar on this, and how it contrasts with the simple, straight exhaust pipes. A great retro bike.
Orange Bobber Bike - The Orange Bobber is another bike in my Old School Series. The bike is true to the 1950s style bike. I built it with Rick for an exhibit at Sturgis Bike Week in 2006.
Greenie Bike - The Greenie is part of my Sr. Old School series. The green gas tank, spring seat, along with the straight up handlebars are classic old school.
Sunshine Bike - Sunshine was my first Harley, it’s a 1974 FX Superglide. It’s called Sunshine because of the sunny paint job. I changed this bike a dozen times over the years, but to this day, it’s still my favorite. Incidentally, I have a tattoo of the sun featured on the gas tank.