Finnigan was a professional cyclist and the founder of the Malvern Star bicycle company in 1902. Based in 58 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, Victoria, he later sold the firm to the Small Bros. and Ernie Ogilvy in 1920. The Smalls developed a marketing profile for the firm based on the fame of Hubert Opperman. Bruce Small sold the firm in 1958.