In a garage in Eagle, Idaho — after the school day ends and while most teens are hanging out with friends or gaming — Jack Heuser is printing shipping labels, stamping boxes, and sending bike parts around the globe. Dubai. Iceland. Mexico.
Not bad for a company that launched just months ago.
Jack is the young founder behind ShyftWorks, a handlebar brand built from equal parts curiosity, grit, and a lifelong love of bikes. What started as tinkering and personal passion has quickly grown into a global micro-business — and it’s only the beginning.
Finding the Gap
Jack didn’t stumble into entrepreneurship through a formal plan or business class. His entry point was simple: he was a rider shopping for parts.
“I was looking around at the bike market,” Jack explains. “There were all these parts — lights, accessories — but the handlebars I wanted either didn’t look right or were way out of my price range.”
High-end dirt bike handlebars can run well over $100. As a consumer, Jack didn’t love that. So he asked the question that sparks many great businesses:
Why not make my own?
That moment revealed a niche — quality handlebars at a price point accessible to young riders. ShyftWorks handlebars launched at roughly half the cost of major competitors while maintaining durability and clean design. Jack worked directly with manufacturers to dial in logo placement, finishes, and production specs.
“It was about making something I’d actually want to ride,” he says.
From Builder to Brand Owner
Jack’s path to product creation started years earlier, long before ShyftWorks had a name. He’d been buying bikes, tearing them down, powder-coating parts, rebuilding them, and reselling for profit. Add in freelance graphic design work, and he had quietly built the skills — and the startup capital — to launch a brand.
The name itself traces back to an earlier idea.
“I was originally thinking about starting a clothing company called Shyft,” Jack says. “Then I added ‘Works’ — it just fit the vibe.”
While many teens feel pressure to follow a traditional college path, Jack felt drawn to creating something of his own.
“I wanted to try building a business instead of just doing what everyone else does,” he explains. “If it works, it becomes part of my future.”
The Moment It Felt Real
The turning point came quickly.
Within weeks of launching, Jack was shipping internationally — something he never expected so early. During a December trip to Hawaii, orders kept rolling in.
“I remember printing a label and seeing Iceland on it,” he says. “Then Dubai. It hit me — someone across the world bought my product. That was crazy.”
Momentum built fast. His first order of 50 handlebars sold out. He doubled inventory. Then tripled it. Today, he’s managing rolling restocks to stay ahead of demand.
Learning the Hard Way — and Loving It
Running ShyftWorks has been a crash course in real-world business: website building, sourcing manufacturers, shipping logistics, margins, packaging, and customer service.
“It’s all stuff I’d never done before,” Jack says. “Talking to manufacturers, figuring out box sizes, shipping labels — it’s a learning curve.”
He’s learned that speed matters. Riders expect fast shipping and clean packaging. Deliver both, and loyalty follows.
His daily routine reflects that discipline. After school, he checks orders, prints labels, packs boxes, and ships — often same day.
Sacrifice and Motivation
Building a business at Jack’s age comes with tradeoffs.
“Hanging out with friends is probably the biggest sacrifice,” he admits. “If I’ve got orders or website updates, that comes first.”
What keeps him going isn’t just profit — it’s purpose. He’s motivated by the idea of creating long-term independence and eventually using success to support others.
“Financial freedom gives you options,” he says. “And you can give back.”
Eagle Roots, Global Reach
While ShyftWorks ships worldwide, Jack’s roots in Eagle play a meaningful role. The growing bike and e-moto community has provided inspiration and local visibility. Seeing classmates ride with ShyftWorks stickers or parts adds fuel to the fire.
“It’s cool hearing people say, ‘That’s your brand,’” he says.
Looking Ahead
Jack’s ambitions extend well beyond handlebars. Next on the roadmap: direct stem mounts and bundled packages — with long-term plans to expand into broader bike components.
Where does he see ShyftWorks in five years?
“Hopefully selling all kinds of bike parts… maybe even bikes themselves,” he says. The uncertainty excites him. “I like not knowing exactly where it’s going — just seeing how big it can get.”
Advice From Someone Already Doing It
For other young entrepreneurs, Jack’s advice is simple:
“Just start. Order the sample. Click the buy button. Even if it doesn’t work, you’ll learn something.” Looking back, he’s proud not just of the sales or growth — but of taking the leap. “The biggest thing is just that I did it,” he says. “I started.”
And from a garage in Eagle, Idaho, a teenager is proving that bold starts can travel a very long way.
Visit Shyftworks.co for more information.
