Congrats to Ben Taylor '14 for making Forbes 30 Under 30 list!

Congratulations to Ben Taylor ‘14, Co-founder of Beachman, for making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Transportation and Mobility category for 2025. 

Ben’s non-linear path to co-founding Beachman started when he was just 18 years old. After graduating from Greenwood in 2014, Ben attended Vancouver Film School, a one-year post graduate program. His strong application landed him a spot in this unique program along with fellow alum Chris Mahoney '14.

The fast transition from high school to university to finding a job pushed Ben into adult life quickly. He was hired in the film and television, working long hours. He moved into advertising and social media, and worked his way up to become a director. Throughout this journey, Ben had a side project on the go -- a passion project that would eventually turn into his company, Beachman Motor Company, an electric bike company.

One of Ben’s fondest memories in his early 20s was when a friend’s brother fixed up his mo-ped and got it running. Ben and his friends rode the bike up and down the street, having the best time. He says he knew then that he wanted to “capture that feeling and build a company around it”. Small moments like these are what led Ben to pursue his ideas.

We caught up with Ben to hear more about his company and what he’s been up to since graduating from Greenwood.

Ben credits Mr. Brown, his Greenwood film teacher for encouraging him to lean into the Arts. “Greenwood helped me develop my confidence,” he added. “It was a flexible learning environment that allowed me to thrive in my areas of interest - one of them being film. The school’s strong film program helped me grow as a filmmaker, leading me to apply to a competitive program in Vancouver.” 

“We manufacture our automobiles in Canada. Another recent fun coincidence is that the Ontario Ministry of Transportation invited the Beachman team in to discuss legislation around e-bikes. Our fellow alum, Adam Aber ‘14 happened to be in that meeting as he works as a Policy Advisor for the Ministry.”

“We prioritize building and maintaining genuine one-on-one connections with our customers. At Beachman, we value authenticity, connection, and having fun. These values extend not only to our customers but also to our employees. By embodying these principles, we create a ripple effect throughout our community. Beachman promotes a lifestyle where people can find joy in their everyday experiences. We also offer a coffee brand and curate playlists to enhance that experience!”

“Be open to feedback and pay attention to how people engage with your product. This would have helped me realize that some products I created and enjoyed didn’t resonate with others. Persevere and keep refining your ideas—continue the creative process, and don’t get discouraged if one idea doesn’t succeed.”