By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Ivan Carter is transforming old bikes into new rides. A.J. Bach is spinning tunes at parties and celebrations. And Tyler Wolleson is combining his love for cars and anime into an artform.
All three men, who are Wood Lane consumers, have received micro-grants to help turn their hobbies into businesses.
“It’s amazing,” said Hilary Powell, Wood Lane community engagement specialist. “This organization believes in them enough to say, ‘Yes, you can.’”
The micro-grants are coming from Celebrate EDU, which provides grants and business education for people with disabilities. The grants can be used for supplies, training and equipment.
For Ivan Carter, the grant is allowing him to take old tired bicycles and make sweet custom rides. He refurbishes, customizes and flips bikes to help people in the community who need two-wheeled transportation.
He transforms everything from little kids bikes, to beach cruisers, choppers, bully bikes and old school BMX bikes.
His business, called Hot Customs, is getting a boost from the Celebrate EDU grant. He is using the funds to buy a brace to secure the bikes as he works on them.
“When I was a kid, I liked working on cars,” Carter said. But after being involved in a very serious car crash, he found a new interest in construction and learned how to weld. He uses those skills to give old bikes a second life.
“Choppers are my favorite,” he said. “I understand them more than lowriders.”
Carter custom paints the bikes, and in some cases puts sound systems on the bikes so the riders can pump out music as they pump the pedals.
Some of the sound systems are so large that they require a trailer behind the bike.
“These are all my creations,” Carter said, as he scrolled through photos on his phone. “I built this bike from the ground up. It was in pieces.”
Some bikes get just the basics – new chains, pedals and seats. Others are personalized, with names painted on the bikes, music and lights.
“It’s a wonderful feeling when it’s finished,” to make what people imagine into reality, he said.
Carter’s home has bikes on the porch and in the kitchen, so he is also looking for more storage and workspace.
He credited his parents for inspiring him to not give up, and Wood Lane staff for encouraging him to keep doing better.
Though still in high school, A.J. Bach has his own disc jockey business.
“I love doing gigs and doing parties,” said Bach, who will be graduating from Perrysburg High School soon. His favorite tunes to spin are hip hop and rap, he said. But his main goal is to please the crowd.
“I take requests,” Bach said. “It’s a fun feeling.”
And occasionally, he takes to the dance floor himself.
“I’m allowed to dance,” he said with a grin.
After graduating, Bach has plans to attend The Ohio State University in the TOPS program – Transition Options in Postsecondary Settings.
His goals are to work in theater and be a disc jockey.
“I’ve loved music since I was a kid,” he said.
With his Celebrate EDU grant, Bach plans to purchase speakers, lights, a DJ mixer, a table and extension cord.
“He’s very social. He loves to involve everybody,” said Tricia Peters, a Wood Lane employment navigator with Bach. “He’s a busy man,” including participating in the Perrysburg High School musical this spring.
Bach is also working on getting his driver’s license.
“He’s been saving his money to get a car,” said Adrienne Noftz, a service and support administrator with Wood Lane.
Tyler Wolleson has loved art since he was a child, and learned many of his skills from his dad.
Wolleson has combined his love of automotive and anime art in both digital and watercolor forms. He takes his art to automotive shows, animation shows, and has auctioned off art for Make a Wish.
“A lot of people with disabilities make some amazing stuff,” Wolleson said. “It helps to make a career out of the things we love to do.”
Wolleson is using his $500 Celebrate EDU grant to purchase art supplies, attend a business course, get business cards, and create a professional website for his art.
“People consider art as not hard labor. It is a very hard thing to do, especially if you’re trying to build a fan base,” he said. “You always have to keep pushing.”
Wolleson teaches art virtually, and livestreams his creative process.
“A lot of times with art, you have to gamble to make it work,” he said.
Johnny Czajka, who works with Wolleson through Wood Lane, said he continues to be impressed with his work.
“As soon as I saw his artwork, I’m like – this kid’s got talent,” Czajka said.
“It doesn’t matter what disability you have in life, they’ve got talent. So let’s make it grow,” Czajka said about the micro-grant program.
Getting the business grant has made Wolleson more “gutsy” about his art, Czajka said.
“There’s more hope,” Wolleson said.
“We’re proud of you. We’ve seen such a change,” said Kate Allison, an employment navigator with Wooleson.
