Meet Adam Taylor | Executive Director, GoodTurn Cycles

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adam Taylor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance was a primary motivation for leaving the technical sales role I was in, and pursuing something I was more passionate about. My work life balance at GoodTurn Cycles has ebbed and flowed, but ultimately been significantly better and I attribute that to a specific things:

First is management that respects the work life balance of its employees and systems that allow for individuals to voice when they feel things are out of balance. At GoodTurn we have a “no overtime” policy. I imagine this can raise red flags for all HR personnel out there, but this does not mean that employees are not paid overtime if they work over 40 hours a week, it is that we ask that if employees have to work a longer day, that they flex that time later that week. In our 5 years, we have not had any employees work overtime. Along with this each employee is given 30 minutes of “replenishment time” each day. Employees can pool this time for 1 week (2.5 hours) at a maximum, and can ensure employees can take of themselves, or life situations, whilst “on the clock.” Sometimes this time looks like running to a dentist appointment, extending their pre-work bike ride, or simply taking a 30 minute walk in the middle of the day to get out of the shop.

Second is having a thoroughly trained team that can provide support for other employees. Having this teammate support is pivotal in supporting the work life well-being of employees. The freedom to take a day off of work and know your teammates can cover for you in your absence, is a huge relief. I have worked roles in the past that, upon return from PTO, felt as though I was drowning in work to catch up on. We would joke that it was more work to take time off, than if we had just stayed at the office. This obviously was not a work life balance that worked for me.

Lastly is being self aware of my work life balance. I understand that not all organizations have management, systems, or properly trained teams that promote and allow for a healthy work life balance, which then puts responsibility on you as an employee. I think it is very rare that anyone else cares about your work life balance MORE than you, so if you’re unaware of it, or don’t pay attention, you might wake up one day and realize it’s all out of whack.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I recognize that I am still young in my career and in my professional experience, and I also recognize my situation is one of great privilege and any successes I’ve had have been a product of that. That said, I feel I have had some unique experiences along my relatively short path.

I earned my Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2015. Through college I had the opportunity to co-op with Wilson Sporting Goods in the Chicagoland region. This relaxed, engaging, and social work environment set the tone for what I wanted in a workplace.

Upon graduation I worked a few “engineering” jobs, the first was in heavy manufacturing, which was not my speed. The next was in technical sales which was a better fit, I enjoyed connecting with people and learning about the work they were doing, but the demands of the role ultimately lead to me wanting to make a change. I was 25 and already felt as though I was “burning out.”

Up to this point I had sort of felt I was simply going through the motions. I got my degree, got a good job, and I worked hard. I received good feedback from my managers, and felt I was traditionally successful. Despite this, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was rolling through my life as a vocational zombie. I then came to, what I would later refer to as, my quarter-life crisis. I needed a change, I needed to feel like I was working a job I felt called to, and I needed more than a paycheck from my work.

Living in Indiana at the time and being an outdoor and cycling enthusiast, I sought a job that could provide more access to the outdoors. Queue me looking for jobs in the Denverland area. I came across a job listing at a brand new nonprofit in Littleton for a Bicycle Mechanic and Mentor. I didn’t know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but this WAS the place to start. With a passion for mentorship, and the aforementioned love (read, obsession) with cycling this was a great fit. I was offered the job, and uprooted my life in the Midwest.

This new role would result in a lot of uncertainty. I took a large pay cut and moved to a more expensive part of the county. I didn’t know anyone in the new community I was moving into. I didn’t honestly know that much about the new organization I was starting at. Taking a significant pay cut and move across the country to change the course of my career was scary and it seemed a bit reckless. In my case, it worked out.

As my time at GoodTurn continued I was able to utilize my gifting in creating structure and organization, to grow the organization. This eventually lead our organization to be a well respected youth services provider, a nationally recognized retail shop, and our current expansion to a second location.

My short path through the workforce has really instilled the need for intentionality in my work. If I am going to stay at an organization, I want that to be an intentional decision. No more will I be a zombie destined to realize years later I was stuck doing something unfulfilling. I don’t feel equipped to provide career advice, but if I can emphasize anything, it would be to be intentional about where you spend so much of your life. That doesn’t mean that you have to do something mission-minded, but it does mean that you’re conscious of your choice to be in your current work situation.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Coffee @ Huckleberry Roasters in Sunnyside. By far my favorite roaster in the city. Maybe while we’re up that way we hit Sunny’s for breakfast.

I’d probably take them on a hike or mountain bike ride at North Table in Golden, then we could grab a beer at New Terrain after.

For dinner and drinks that night, I’d do Adelitas on S Broadway.

Wash rinse repeat.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shouts to my friend Meg, who like me, “dropped out” of her engineering job to pursue something that was more personally fulfilling. Our discussion over a beer was hugely influential in helping me make the decision to switch careers. It may not seem like much, but she demystified what it looks like to change careers. Thanks Meg!

Website: https://www.goodturncycles.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodturncycles/