Built By Young People, Guided by Mentors.
Zummo works because good people show up.
Experienced adults mentor young mechanics, and older students help younger ones learn the shop, the tools, the systems, and the responsibility that comes with serving real customers. That is how a bike shop becomes a workforce development engine.
Elijah’s Work: Building the System
Elijah joined Zummo as a young student and grew into one of the people who helped shape the shop’s training culture. He helped build the systems that make Zummo more than a repair shop — intake, workflow, standards, service pricing, quality control, documentation, and leadership pathways for younger mechanics. His work helped younger students learn not just how to fix bikes, but how to think, communicate, troubleshoot, follow through, and lead. Now studying engineering at RIT, Elijah continues to help Zummo build the structure for the next generation of young mechanics and leaders.
Eduardo’s Story: “I Got This.”
Eduardo came to Zummo at the beginning of his sophomore year — raw, interested, and willing to stick with it. Over three years, he learned the business, helped younger kids, and grew under the guidance of community mentors like Ron, Mike, Nate, Patty, Ted, Mark, Kendal, and others who gave their time and example.
Then, during his freshman year at Temple, Eduardo stepped up in a way that showed exactly what Zummo is trying to build. When the founder was in the ER and out for close to a month, Eduardo held down the service department with three simple words: “I got this.”
That is the Zummo story. A young person given responsibility. A community behind him. A real business that needs him. And a young leader who rises to the moment.
Why Bikes?
Bikes are the classroom. They are mechanical. They are practical. They require problem solving. They serve customers. They create revenue. They teach accountability. A donated bike may look like an old bicycle in a garage. At Zummo, it becomes fuel for a young person’s future.
How You Can Help
Donate a bike. Bring us a bike for service. Buy a refurbished bike. Sponsor tools, stands, storage, stipends, or student training. Introduce us to a company that believes in young people. When you support ZummoBike, you are not just helping a nonprofit bike shop.
You are helping build capable young people who can say: I got this.
Two fifth graders. One from Audubon, New Jersey. One from Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Both have been wrestling since first grade. Both just finished seasons with 16 wins — most by pin. Now they’re in the shop. And here’s what’s interesting…
They’re not just turning wrenches. They’re:
• Looking customers in the eye
• Explaining bikes clearly
• Reading what someone needs
• Closing the loop with confidence
The Insight: Wrestling → Sales (It’s the Same Game) What they’re doing on the sales floor… is exactly what they’ve been training for on the mat.
1. Reading the Opponent → Reading the Customer On the mat, you’re constantly asking: “What’s this person about to do?” In the shop: “What does this customer really need?”
2. Staying Calm Under Pressure → Staying Present in a Sale Wrestling is intense. One mistake, you’re on your back. Sales moment: Customer unsure, parent asking questions, kid bouncing around… You stay calm. You guide.
3. Technique Over Force → Clarity Over Talking Great wrestlers don’t muscle everything. Great Zummo kids don’t oversell. They explain simply. They let the bike do the work.
4. Finishing the Match → Closing the Sale Pins don’t happen by accident. They recognize the moment… and finish. Same in the shop: Customer is ready → they help them say yes.
5. Confidence Earned, Not Given You don’t fake confidence in wrestling. Same here. Customers can feel what’s real. “We’re not teaching sales at Zummo. We’re creating environments where real skills transfer.”
Three 5th Graders helped run parts of the shop during the last weekend in March.
Jireth (“J”) has been with us since second grade— and it shows. On Sunday, she was on fire. Helping customers choose bikes, invoicing sales, and showing a one-month rookie, Morgan, what Zummo is all about.
Ben Bush, six months into the shop, brings something different—swagger. He’s a strong mechanic, shaped in part by time with his dad, Ken. What stands out is how he communicates and carries himself. He shows up with his own tools—ready to work.
Levi, also a fifth grader and already in his second year at Zummo, came to us through his grandfather—a lifelong bike guy and, as it turns out, a kindergarten classmate of our founder. This past Saturday, Levi worked like someone twice his age—jumping in with customers, learning alongside our lead mechanic, and staying engaged through the final stretch of the day. No one told him to step up. He just did.
The shop did over $2,000 in sales and service that weekend. That’s not the story—it’s the result. The real work is building young people who know how to show up, take ownership, and be counted on.
Our landlord at Eadeh, Stacey, recently surprised us with a new bench for the front of the bike shop. The old one had done its job for four years, but it was getting a little tired and rusted up - just needed an improvement for folks sitting outside, waiting for their bike to be repaired or for the mom waiting for her student arriving home on the bus.
When Stacey gave it to us, we thanked her and mentioned we’re going to put a sign on bench: “In memory of Mike” along with a QR code with the following story…
Mike was the head of maintenance for Eadeh for more than 20 years. When our landlord first offered us this space six years ago at a very generous rate, it came with something extra: Mike. He was one of those steady, dependable people who simply showed up whenever something needed attention. If there was an issue with the building, Mike was there. If we needed help moving bikes for a donation event, Mike was there with a truck. He even helped unload.
And what stood out just as much—Mike never complained. Instead, he’d offer small, thoughtful suggestions on how we could be better tenants. Nothing heavy-handed, just quiet guidance that made us better. It didn’t take long to realize—we had the best.
He looked out for us in a way that went far beyond the job description. I think part of the reason was that he saw this was more than a bike shop. He saw a handful of dads & moms building something with young people, he cared about what we were trying to do.
Mike was a special guy. Loyal, generous, and always willing to help. We’re grateful for the role he played in helping ZummoBike get established, and it feels right that this new bench will stand in his memory.
Recorded in Berwyn on the morning of June 5, 2026, before the summer sun heated up the work area.
Telling the Story of Berwyn
Zummo: Matina, can you tell us the story behind this mural?
Matina: Absolutely. When I first looked at the wall, it already had the words Village of Berwyn on it. Because it was going to serve as a welcome sign for the town, I wanted to create something that went beyond decoration.
There’s nothing wrong with beautiful decorative art. Flowers and colors can be wonderful. But I wanted this mural to carry deeper meaning and tell a story about the community.
I started by researching Berwyn’s history. I wanted to understand what shaped the town and how it grew into what it is today. From that research, I developed the central concept of the mural: the Tree of Life.
Many artists use the Tree of Life because it symbolizes roots, growth, history, and the future. It became the perfect image for a community like Berwyn. The tree sits at the center of the mural, representing the deep roots of the town and the many directions those roots have grown over time.
Because the wall is long and horizontal, I designed the story to move from left to right, almost like reading a book.
The Heart of the Mural
Zummo: I’m anxious to hear the thinking behind the middle section.
Matina: The middle section is really the focal point of the entire mural. It contains the Village of Berwyn sign and the large Tree of Life.
I intentionally made the roots very prominent. They emerge from the ground and remind us that strong communities are built on strong foundations. Above, the branches spread outward, symbolizing growth and opportunity.
Within the branches are ceramic tiles that I designed and created in my studio. Each tile contains words and phrases intended to inspire people.
Some of the messages include:
• “From our roots we bring together…”
• “Strong roots will last…”
I wanted visitors to encounter positive ideas— messages about community, connection, and hope. The tree is surrounded by leaves, flowers, birds, and small animals.
Together they represent a community that is thriving and flourishing.
Another important element is the use of repurposed materials. Many of the ceramics and tiles were sourced from older pieces that had been discarded or forgotten. Some materials are new, but many have a previous history.
Giving those materials a new home reflects an important part of my artistic philosophy. I love repurposing.
From History to the Present
Matina: As the mural moves to the right, the story transitions from Berwyn’s past into its present.
On the left side, you’ll notice the moon and stars. That portion represents dawn—the beginning of the story. It captures the feeling of early morning and the town’s earliest days.
As your eyes move across the mural, you arrive at the bright sun and the modern town. The faded homes in the background represent history. They are intentionally softer and less defined because they belong to the past.
The buildings on the right side are different. They’re bold, prominent, and architectural. These represent the Berwyn that people know today.
I hand-cut many of the tiles used in this section. The materials include stained glass, ceramic pieces, repurposed elements, and new materials working together. The pathway running through this area will eventually include people walking, children playing, and even a cyclist or two.
The idea is simple:
A town with strong roots grows into a vibrant community filled with people enjoying life together.
That’s the story I wanted this mural to tell.
About the Artist
Matina Kavalin is a mixed-media artist whose work combines ceramics, mosaics, stained glass, repurposed materials, and community storytelling.
Her “Welcome to Berwyn” mural celebrates the town’s history, growth, and future through the symbolism of the Tree of Life and the creative reuse of materials that have found a new purpose.
A Zummo Reflection
Like many things at Zummo, this mural reminds us that old things can find new purpose, young people can grow into leaders, and communities become stronger when people invest in one another.
The finished mural welcomes people to Berwyn.
The story behind it reminds us why communities matter.
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