# VERTO News & the Latest in the training, community and disability services - VERTO Source: https://www.verto.org.au/news/finding-his-gear-jerry-turns-a-passion-for-bikes-into-a-business Captured: 2026-10-28T21:35:48.871033+00:00 HTTP status: 200 Extraction: server-rendered main element, otherwise article/body. Dynamic-only results may not be included. --- # Finding his gear, Jerry turns a passion for bikes into a business ![](https://www.verto.org.au/images/GNS_Website_Jerry_Mobile_Cycle_Care_GNS.png) When Jerry Foster rolls up to a customer’s driveway with his mobile workshop van, it’s clear he’s doing what he loves. The founder of [Jerry’s Mobile Cycle Care](https://www.jerrysmcc.com.au/) has built a business around something that’s been part of his life since childhood, a deep love for cycling and a knack for fixing things. “*For as long as I can remember, bikes have always been part of who I am*,” Jerry says. “*From exploring bush trails to cruising along the coast, they’ve shaped so many of my best memories*.” Before launching his own business, Jerry spent 12 years as a bike mechanic and previously worked as an industrial designer in Sydney, where he even helped design bikes for a local brand. “*Working as a designer taught me to see the bike as one complete system rather than a thousand individual parts. Every small detail matters, and that mindset has shaped how I approach every service I do today*,” Jerry says. When Jerry and his partner decided to move from Wollongong to the Mid North Coast, it wasn’t just about slowing down. It was about building a life rooted in community and nature. “*My partner grew up in Taree, and I grew up on a farm, so we both understand the value of space and connection. It’s an amazing place to raise a family, and the local riding is some of the best in the country*,” Jerry says. Once settled in, Jerry quickly connected with the local cycling scene, and spotted a need waiting to be filled. “*After meeting and riding with locals, I realised people were travelling up to 45 minutes just to get their bikes serviced*,” he says. “*With e-bikes becoming so popular, getting them into a shop isn’t easy. I thought, why not flip the model and take the workshop to them?*” That lightbulb moment became the seed for Jerry’s Mobile Cycle Care, a business that now brings professional bike servicing straight to riders across the Barrington and Mid North Coasts. But getting from idea to reality wasn’t simple. “*I had the skills and the vision, but I didn’t know where to start with the business side,*” Jerry admits. “*I went online looking for support and came across VERTO’s Self-Employment Assistance program. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I figured it was worth a conversation,*” he recalls. The decision proved to be a turning point. Through the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program, Jerry received personalised support that helped him transform his idea into a structured, sustainable business. “*Once I was accepted into the program, it suddenly felt real, like, right, time to make this happen.*” “*The advice I got on marketing and planning was gold,” he says. “It wasn’t fluffy or complicated, just clear, practical steps that made everything feel achievable.*” His facilitator, Kahrina Richardson, played a big role in building Jerry’s confidence. “*She helped me take all the ideas that were bouncing around in my head and turn them into something solid. Having someone to talk things through with made a huge difference,*” Jerry says. Since launching, Jerry’s business has grown steadily, built on reliability, convenience and word-of-mouth recommendations. His mobile workshop is now a familiar sight at events and on local streets, helping everyone from weekend riders to competitive athletes stay on the road. “*The most rewarding part is knowing this is something I’ve built from the ground up,*” he says. “*When a customer tells me their bike performed perfectly in a race, or I see a positive review pop up online, it makes all the long days worthwhile.*” One standout moment for Jerry came when he was part of the mechanical team at the World Triathlon Championships in Wollongong. “Being part of such a high-level event and seeing my work help someone perform at their best, that was a special feeling,” he says. Looking ahead, Jerry has big plans for the future of his business. “*In the next five years, I’d love to grow Jerry’s into a setup that combines a workshop space with the mobile service,*” he says. “*That way, I can offer more options while still keeping that personal, flexible approach that people love.*” For anyone thinking about starting their own small business, Jerry’s advice is simple. “*Be patient, be kind to yourself and remember it takes time to grow,*” he says. “*There will always be challenges, but programs like SEA take a lot of the pressure off and gave me the confidence to keep going.*” From bikes to business, Jerry’s journey shows what can happen when passion meets purpose, and the right support helps keep you rolling forward. For more information about the Self-Employment Assistance program, contact VERTO on 1300 483 786 or visit: [www.verto.org.au/our-services/self-employment-assistance](https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.verto.org.au%2Four-services%2Fself-employment-assistance&data=05%7C02%7Ckgardener%40verto.org.au%7C494be87dce324214a42808dd5a0a0e48%7C2d22555d87324d1ea3ab6d1b9c911359%7C1%7C0%7C638765721510649631%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9WlehRRGAreCPNiYgiwqwTC9N31XYb9x%2F5DqtWeIae4%3D&reserved=0). To find out more about Jerry’s Mobile Cycle Care or to book a service, visit [www.jerrysmcc.com.au](https://www.jerrysmcc.com.au/).