Paul Teutul Jr., celebrated as the creative force behind custom motorcycles on Discovery Channel's "American Chopper," has an inspiring story that extends beyond the roar of engines and gleaming chrome. While viewers were captivated by his innovative designs and the intense father-son dynamic with Paul Teutul Sr., there’s more to Paul Jr.'s journey than meets the eye. His narrative is one of personal growth, business acumen, and the forging of his own path.
From Orange County Choppers to Paul Jr. Designs: A New Chapter
The original series of "American Chopper" offered viewers a glimpse into Teutul's creative genius in designing and building custom bikes, but also highlighted his strained relationship with his father. The culmination of this tension occurred in 2009 when Senior fired Junior from Orange County Choppers (OCC). According to Paul Jr., his father fired him for financial reasons. Paul Jr. believes his father wanted him to return for less money.
However, this turning point proved to be a catalyst for change. As Paul Jr. himself stated, "My father did me a big favor: He fired me." He realized that the work environment under his father's control had become "oppressive." The separation allowed him to recognize the unhealthy dynamic that had developed over the years.
Following his departure from OCC, Paul Jr. embarked on a new venture, establishing Paul Jr. Designs (PJD) in 2009. This allowed him to create innovative motorcycle designs for corporate clients, film productions, and nonprofits. The one-year non-compete clause initially prevented him from building motorcycles. However, it allowed him to focus on design services and lay the foundation for his own company.
Reigniting the Passion: Creativity and a Positive Environment
The year away from building bikes proved beneficial for Paul Jr. Working with his father had become so negative that he lost the joy of building motorcycles. Leaving Orange County Choppers allowed him to create his own positive environment.
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With the burden of the toxic environment lifted, Paul Jr.'s creativity flourished. He matured as a man and gained a clearer perspective on his relationship with his father. Filming “American Chopper” had grown tiresome. But leaving Orange County Choppers allowed him to create his own positive environment.
"American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior" and the Hope for Reconciliation
After the non-compete agreement expired, Paul Jr. returned to building bikes, showcasing some of his best work. He and his father gave "American Chopper" another spin for a return to Discovery. The new series, "American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior," documented the competition between OCC and PJD, further fueling the drama. Despite the rivalry, Paul Jr. expressed hope that the show would enable them to reconcile their relationship.
Paul Teutul Sr.'s Battle with Alcoholism
Paul Teutul Sr. shares advice about running a business in his book, “The Ride of a Lifetime.” Teutul founded Orange County Choppers in 1999, and grew his hobby into a 70-plus-person operation that produces and sells 150 custom bikes a year.
Teutul Sr. also battled alcoholism. He recalls the day he decided to sober up as January 7, 1985. Twenty years of hard drinking and partying since the age of 15 had finally caught up with him. His body was literally falling apart. He was coughing up blood and had wrecked a dozen or more cars. He decided that he'd either have to sober up, or die.
He initially resisted rehab, fearing the impact on his business. However, he ultimately attended an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting and remained sober for 24 years.
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Paul Jr.'s Personal Life and Ventures
Paul Michael Teutul was born on October 2, 1974. He is the oldest of four children. He has two younger brothers: Daniel, the owner/general manager of Orange County Ironworks LLC, and Michael, who featured on the television shows. The youngest of the Teutul children is sister Cristin, who currently works as a nurse in Rochester, New York.
Beyond motorcycles, Paul Jr. has also ventured into other design areas. Paul Jr. designs coleman roadtrip grill.
Legal Issues
Paul John, Paul Michael and his brother Daniel were named in a 2007 lawsuit alleging fraudulent transfer, brought on behalf of Turner Construction. This dates back to 2003 and a ruling in favor of Turner in 2005 concerning the original OC Iron Works company. It was alleged that assets were stripped from the OC Ironworks, transferring the viable assets, contracts and personnel to a new company OC Ironworks LLC, before bankrupting the former. This involved transferring the ownership to Paul Jr. and allegedly selling the assets to the new company with unfair compensation. Trustee Tom Genova filed fraud complaints in 2007 with the Bankruptcy Court and in complaint sought to have the transfers from the old company to the new company judged fraudulent and set aside. He also sought to make the new company liable for the old company's debts. The case had been "Disposed", meaning the case was out of the court system.
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