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#85 - Lewis Denver’s card declined for $5… now he runs a million dollar bike shop!
Lewis Denver was given this ultimatum by his former employer:
“If you're going to do anything, do it 100% — either be 100% working here at this bike shop, or 100% doing your own thing.”
In that moment, Lewis had to choose:
Stay employed and give up his side hustle (selling second-hand bikes)
Or back himself fully and leave his secure job to pursue building Recycle Bicycle Sales on his own
This direct response from his boss caught him off guard.
He was sweating.
His heart was racing.
But deep down, he knew:
"I'm going to back myself every time."
They shook hands. And from that conversation, Lewis walked out into the unknown. Backing himself and his business 100%.
But the entrepreneurial journey is not for the faint of heart.
During the early days of his journey, Lewis found himself at one of his lowest points…
Staring at a declined payment screen in a local coffee shop.
He had ordered his usual flat white, nothing fancy. But when he tapped to pay, it didn’t go through.
Confused, Lewis quickly checked his phone, thinking he could transfer some money across accounts.
But as he flicked through his banking apps, reality hit:
Every account was at zero.
All he had access to was $5.
Not even enough to cover the $5.50 coffee…
Stunned and embarrassed, he quietly left the café, walking his dog back home.
On the way, he stopped at the supermarket and carefully bought some basic groceries. Bread and ham. Enough to make simple sandwiches and get by for a few days.
At that moment, with nothing in his bank but with his mortgage to pay, a dog to feed, and bills looming, Lewis realised he had no safety net.
There was no Plan B.
And yet, deep down - he never considered quitting.
Not once did he think about going back to a regular job.
Instead, he made an unshakable commitment:
“I'm backing myself – no matter what.”
From there, Lewis hustled harder, served customers better, and kept building what would eventually become Recycle Bicycle Sales, Adelaide’s only dedicated pre-owned bicycle shop with a community of loyal customers.
The $5 moment didn't break him.
It built him.
---
Follow Lewis & Recycle Bicycle Sales:
Instagram: lewis_denver
Instagram: Recycle Bicycle Sales
YouTube: Recycle Bicycle Sales
---
Follow Marshy:
Instagram: danielgmarshall
Facebook: Daniel Marshall
LinkedIn: Daniel Marshall
Website: danielmarshall.com.au
---
Other episodes you may enjoy 👇
1) #63 - Dr. John Demartini | How to make one Hell of a Profit and still get to Heaven!
2) #37 - Shako T. Lokman | How to gain Power & Respect in Social Settings
3) #20 - Alisha Fernandez | The Introverted Millionaire
4) #67 - Goal Setting vs Intentions
5) #79 - Harvey Doney | From Flippin' Burgers to Building a Successful Business (at just 19 years of age)
View all episodes
By Daniel MarshallLewis Denver was given this ultimatum by his former employer:
“If you're going to do anything, do it 100% — either be 100% working here at this bike shop, or 100% doing your own thing.”
In that moment, Lewis had to choose:
Stay employed and give up his side hustle (selling second-hand bikes)
Or back himself fully and leave his secure job to pursue building Recycle Bicycle Sales on his own
This direct response from his boss caught him off guard.
He was sweating.
His heart was racing.
But deep down, he knew:
"I'm going to back myself every time."
They shook hands. And from that conversation, Lewis walked out into the unknown. Backing himself and his business 100%.
But the entrepreneurial journey is not for the faint of heart.
During the early days of his journey, Lewis found himself at one of his lowest points…
Staring at a declined payment screen in a local coffee shop.
He had ordered his usual flat white, nothing fancy. But when he tapped to pay, it didn’t go through.
Confused, Lewis quickly checked his phone, thinking he could transfer some money across accounts.
But as he flicked through his banking apps, reality hit:
Every account was at zero.
All he had access to was $5.
Not even enough to cover the $5.50 coffee…
Stunned and embarrassed, he quietly left the café, walking his dog back home.
On the way, he stopped at the supermarket and carefully bought some basic groceries. Bread and ham. Enough to make simple sandwiches and get by for a few days.
At that moment, with nothing in his bank but with his mortgage to pay, a dog to feed, and bills looming, Lewis realised he had no safety net.
There was no Plan B.
And yet, deep down - he never considered quitting.
Not once did he think about going back to a regular job.
Instead, he made an unshakable commitment:
“I'm backing myself – no matter what.”
From there, Lewis hustled harder, served customers better, and kept building what would eventually become Recycle Bicycle Sales, Adelaide’s only dedicated pre-owned bicycle shop with a community of loyal customers.
The $5 moment didn't break him.
It built him.
---
Follow Lewis & Recycle Bicycle Sales:
Instagram: lewis_denver
Instagram: Recycle Bicycle Sales
YouTube: Recycle Bicycle Sales
---
Follow Marshy:
Instagram: danielgmarshall
Facebook: Daniel Marshall
LinkedIn: Daniel Marshall
Website: danielmarshall.com.au
---
Other episodes you may enjoy 👇
1) #63 - Dr. John Demartini | How to make one Hell of a Profit and still get to Heaven!
2) #37 - Shako T. Lokman | How to gain Power & Respect in Social Settings
3) #20 - Alisha Fernandez | The Introverted Millionaire
4) #67 - Goal Setting vs Intentions
5) #79 - Harvey Doney | From Flippin' Burgers to Building a Successful Business (at just 19 years of age)