A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: Mitch McLane

As a result of his hard work, Mitch McLane will be promoted from representative to sales manager at Janus Motorcycles of Goshen, Indiana. He’s been in Michiana for over half a decade, but is originally from Wildwood, New Jersey. His mother worked as a radio disc jockey, and she moved her four children to the Midwest after putting her voice out on tape. That subsequently led to the family residing in Plymouth for some time.

On the job, McLane gets to interact with lovers of bikes one-on-one, helping them come across the best options for themselves. He meets all types of people, and no matter if they have a history riding bikes or not, he’s there to make their experiences smooth and convenient. Discovering more about others’ lives and their interests fascinates him, and he works to bring the best to his vocation.

“I get to learn about people, and a lot of what I do here is relationship-building. It’s hard to call my job a sales one, because I’m really just meeting people and making connections,” McLane said. “Knowing Janus like I do and getting to be a part of the company’s story with customers is rewarding, and I can’t get enough of creating bonds with people from all over the country.”

Clients stop by his workplace on regular bases to check in to say hello, which gives McLane a high reward in standing behind the products he sells. The nature of the business he’s in requires him to keep matters personalized. Personally, that aspect helps to add on to the intrigue of his profession.

“Janus is such a unique thing. If it were an easy thing to do, more companies would be doing it, manufacturing in the States to make motorcycles like us—one at a time, hand-built. It’s a different process than walking into a giant dealership where there are thousands of bikes with three colors on them,” McLane said. “You get a hand-holding experience with us, and it’s customized for everyone who buys. That’s what we advertise: get the bike the way you want, which comes as a blank canvas.”

McLane started off as a traveling salesman for Heartfelt Creations, where he’d attend expos, set up booths, and do demonstrations selling items like stamps, pretty paper, and glitter. The scrapbooking initiatives his last employer put forth assisted him in honing his creativity as a communicator, as well as his approach to handling any and all challenges that arise in his current role. He’s gotten creative in the present by spearheading Janus’ ambassador program, allowing volunteers to show off previously sold bikes to potential new buyers.

Throughout his time in his current position, McLane has helped to put butts in seats. Sometimes he’ll be there through every step of the entire journey of one who’s never before ridden, eventually witnessing them finally hop behind handlebars after purchasing with him. He’s still somewhat putting artworks within the grip of strangers, and that’s something about which he’s always been passionate. 

“At Janus, we build beautiful machines that are like works of art. If you work for a mainstream-motorcycle brand, you’re doing something so different from what we do. We’re so hands-on, and that’s how it should be when you order a bike. I absolutely love that,” McLane said.

Married with two kids, McLane enjoys spending time with family. They love to travel, frequently taking trips up to Michigan to be by the water of one of the Great Lakes. He has greatly enjoyed watching his son and daughter go through their first major encounters with life.

McLane likes being a dad, and at the same time, he’s a musician. One of the founding fathers of the Tumbleweed Jumpers, he’s hung on to his musical inclinations even after the band stopped playing. After 10 years of performing in his own band, McLane & Co., he continues to write songs and play the guitar.

Having seen so much of the nation, McLane knows about the cultures and traditions of many other places. He’s found nothing that compares to what’s offered seasonally in what’s become his home base. To him, there are countless hallmarks where he is that can’t be taken advantage of elsewhere, and the reality of that contributes to his happiness.

“It’s nice to see the change of seasons here. My kids like to go sledding in the snow, and they’ll go trick-or-treating every Halloween,” McLane said. “Everyone has a good attitude around Goshen, and this is a great place to raise a family. It’s not too big a city, but it’s got everything you need. I do feel blessed to live where I am, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”