http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_727_Still_Riding.mp3 Ted Porter learned from his dad to serve customers well, and he says it's getting his motorcycle business through the recession. Also: from convicted felon to teaching felons. Plone 2.0 http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_727_Still_Riding.mp3/logo.jpg http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_727_Still_Riding.mp3 <h4>Still riding<br /></h4><p><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/855e4cfffaa2bb18ca932eceb60f2d55" alt="Ted-reading-codes.jpg" />Harley-Davidson has announced that its worldwide motorcycle sales are down thirteen percent. But though sales of new bikes are down, people who own bikes still need to get them serviced. <br /></p><p>Ted Porter runs a motorcycle repair shop in California. He used to be a tinkerer. He fixed bikes on the weekends and worked a day job. But when his "hobby" grew a waiting list, he took the plunge and opened his own shop. These days, though motorcycle dealerships in his area have gone under, Ted's business is thriving. He tells Dick Gordon about the one business decision he made that was crucial to his success in this wavering economy: staying true to the ideals of customer service he learned from his dad.<br /></p><ul><li>Explore <a href="http://www.beemershop.com/index.php">Ted Porter's BeemerShop</a></li><li>Music in this story: Motorbikin' performed by Chris Spedding for the album Gesundheit<br /></li></ul><p></p><h4><a class="addbtn" href="http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=608cc948ba9b" target="_self">Contact Us</a></h4><br /><h4>LISTENER FOLLOW UP - INMATE TO TEACHER</h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/6111b1a1729c44ec8cd86818c100aff2" alt="John-Berge-crop.jpg" />John Berge<br /></p><p>John Berge was listening last week when <a href="resolveuid/b86a9123c145250738f0c92e92652fd6/view">Dick Gordon spoke with Juan Cruz</a>. Juan served his time in prison, and struggled to get hired after he was released. <br /></p><p>John Berge related to the story since he was locked up as a teenager himself. Like Juan, he made some poor decisions as a young person. While serving three years at a youth correctional facility in California, John decided to get an education and set his life on a more productive course. Years later, he went back to teach at the same correctional facility where he spent time as a young adult. <br /></p><h4><a class="addbtn" href="http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=608cc948ba9b" target="_self">Contact Us</a></h4><br /> Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:00:00