i'm opening a bike shop
Thread started by
LouisAve at 09.21.09 - 10:03 am
so i need ideas from you guys
on what you would wanna seee at this bike shop.
Hardware
Components
Bikes
tires
accesories
what?
a big couch?
coffee?
sports drinks
i'm opening this bike shop around Huntington Park.
reply
A bike shop that serves fast food
Customer: I'd like a bike burger and fries
Employee: Would you like gears with that?
Customer: What?
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 10:21 am
reply
I have this feeling you're either BS-ing to a degree.... or just thinking about some entrepreneurial ideas...
1. You havent seemed to get your non-profit going (you must be great at multi-tasking)
http://www.midnightridazz.com/forums.php?topicId=11910&pgnum=1
2. where is this bike shop located? Are you opening it or thinking about opening a bike shop?
I mean shit... Im thinking about a lot of shit too... Im going to open a bike shop that makes crap loads of money...
md209.21.09 - 10:27 am
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no i'm not BS-ing.
1. my non-profit project is an on going thing. with my partner. we're working on it.
2. there isn't a bike yet. I'm looking for a good location, i have a few ideas on where
somewhere in like hUntington park, ca
and i'm not just opening this shop just because "bicycles are in"
but bicycles are always going to be around
it was either opening a coffee shop or a bike shop
soo i went towards the bike shop.
LouisAve responding to a
comment by md2
09.21.09 - 10:33 am
reply
Look up small business IDA (individual development accounts).... you have to qualify based on income and family, but if you can get one it will help you start your bike shop or coffee shop.... it works by opening a savings account and when you reach your goal of $2K, they give you a grant of $2K... it is also good if you do not have any business training since they will assist you in developing a business plan, budget, and so forth.... I think one organization that has this is named New Economics for Women (they serve men) located on 3rd and Loma, PACE which is located near 5th and Bixel.... and there are other non-profits that provide this assistance... I think you can get more info on United Ways website....
dayone09.21.09 - 10:42 am
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LouisAve,
Im not in the business of keeping others from pursuing their goals/ dreams, so by all means go for the win.
I recognized your username, and I recalled another post of yours about building a bike. The reason I bring it up is this:
1. If you just have boat loads of money (or ship loads)... and you can staff your own shop with people who KNOW about bikes, then ok... that seems semi-smart (i.e. you're merely an investor).
1a. If you plan on runnning the shop: you dont seem to know much about bikes (given your RECENT thread). Why waste your money?
2. What makes a successful shop? Are you going to afford a good mechanic, who in all fairness probably deserves a nice cut for generating your repair business. And Sales people... their paychecks, and again, will you just take advantage of their knowledge, or give them a nice cut of the profit too?
-- I think if you're just an investor go for it... but if you're excited about bikes... wait awhile and see if that excitements lasts.
heres you quest to build a bike thread (im not hating-- do what you want)
http://www.midnightridazz.com/forums.php?searchType=user&showThreads=1&keyword=LouisAve&topicId=10003
md2 responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 10:44 am
reply
THIS IS NOT A BIKE SHOP
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LBS
_iJunes09.21.09 - 10:49 am
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Well my idea is to have my own business just like A LOT Of people.
and money. its isn't going to be a problem for me, i have a few Angel Investors that i've worked for before. and they always liked my ideas on what i come up with.
i'm not just going to BAM open of this shop out of no where
for sure i'm going to wait a whole year
first i'm going to create a Business Plan. ones i got that i'm going to create a Business Proposal for my investors.
since i've posted that post just a few months ago.
i've been selling bicycles on the side for extra money.
i've built up more than 75 bicycles ALL types from Road to Mountain and track
i don't know everything about how to fix or built up a bicycle but i think i know as much as in how to take it apart and putting it back together the right way.
cleaning and maintaining a bicycle in good shape.
and hiring a mechanic again won't be a problem, i know quite a few friends that worked for shops and ride for sponsors that are willing to help out or even work for me.
i'im trying to create a shop that people would come because
we'll give a good service and fixing up your bicycle that won't cost much
yeah my "prices" won't be cheap but won't be expensive like some shops in LA just because bicycle riding is "IN" right now.
also we'll be a shop that you would be able to come hang out we'll have a small Lobby lounge area were maybe i'l have "Snacks"
maybe i'll have a game station where you can play games
or playing videos of bike riding.
this is all up in the air.
like a said. i'm going to wait a whole year.
i'm going to create that business plan and business proposal.
and after i do. we'll see what happens
LouisAve09.21.09 - 12:01 pm
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Hey, don't let some jealous naysayer's shoot down your idea. The more bike shops, the merrier. And it's not like Huntington Park is saturated with bike-shops, in fact I believe it's more saturated with auto-repair, and they ALL seem to be doing just fine.
Make it happen.
the reverend dak responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 12:54 pm
reply
i am.
i've opened up a few cofffee shops and art gallery for people before
and they are doing well...
i'm only 23 years old and i've opened up 5 coffee shops.
2 galleries.
but they were for people
now i'm going to do my own thing
LouisAve responding to a
comment by the reverend dak
09.21.09 - 1:05 pm
reply
Bike shop/ Bar.
Make it happen.
Graham09.21.09 - 1:16 pm
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bar probably not.
i wouldn't want a bunch of kids or people hanging around being drunk and riding breaking shit or something
haha
but maybe a lounge snack bar?
LouisAve responding to a
comment by Graham
09.21.09 - 1:19 pm
reply
Why not "blend" your coffee shop know how, with another person's bike shop know how, and create a cappuccino of a shop. If you can keep the grade at an "A", with all the bike grease... you might have a good synthesis.
You can call it:
The Bicycle Kitchen
md2 responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 1:24 pm
reply
Bike shop/coffee shop would be awesome. I know there's other combos like this throughout the nation. Maybe contact them and asking them about how they're managing?
User109.21.09 - 1:28 pm
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oh shit.... fuck thats it...
a bike porn shop.
strippers dancing on park repair stand poles.
some crazy modified bikes (devices)
your tool section could be really clever
I dont know man, i was kind of wondering where you were going with this, but know I can appreciate your genius.
md2 responding to a
comment by chunkylover09
09.21.09 - 1:39 pm
reply
hahahah
chicks on bike porn?
LouisAve responding to a
comment by chunkylover09
09.21.09 - 1:43 pm
reply
i've said where already
lol huntington park.,ca 90255
close to downey norwalk,sg, bell, la
LouisAve09.21.09 - 1:44 pm
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personally, i'd make a special trip (even though orange 20 is very convienent for me) for pink parts and (cute, feminine looking) chick apparel.
brittany09.21.09 - 1:57 pm
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make sure you got enough inventory..cuz each time i go to a shop and need a little part they dont have it..and i gotta go to lke 2 or 3 diff shops just to get a little 2 dollar thing
zapahoe09.21.09 - 2:05 pm
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yes there is a lot of us here.
and of course we'll have a little section for girls cute stuff hahah
LouisAve responding to a
comment by brittany
09.21.09 - 2:05 pm
reply
oh yeah i know what you mean
like i go to a shop and be like hey do you have any Tire levers
"oh no we don't, probably next week"
all you'll hear from me is
"yeah $5 "
also
we'll be doing special orders for people and what not
LouisAve responding to a
comment by zapahoe
09.21.09 - 2:07 pm
reply
You might want to talk to other independent shop owners. I know Josef @ the flying pigeon is always helping out people that come in for minor repairs and is very fair in what he charges. He is in Highland Park and a lot of the neighborhood folks don't have a lot of money but he helps them out. I am always impressed when I go there with his dedication to the business.
Foldie responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 2:46 pm
reply
the problem with bike shops
are customers like me
who always go in looking to pay a lot less than what you should.
_iJunes09.21.09 - 2:49 pm
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$5???
my god...
i got mine at echo park cycles for $1 (just one, not a pair)
snowcone responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 3:38 pm
reply
well you know what i mean
idk how much i'll sell them for but
yeah
a pair i got for 5 bucks
LouisAve responding to a
comment by snowcone
09.21.09 - 3:40 pm
reply
you probably went to orange 20
snowcone responding to a
comment by LouisAve
09.21.09 - 3:44 pm
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right...
and we're supposed to support our local bike shop, right??
Bike + MAIL ORDER + Sheldon Brown + Park Tools (+repair section) + patience + trial and error.
+ bike forums
+ 7000 hours analyzing bike photos
+ 1 million hours, realizing, fuck, Ive been doing this wrong for a long time
+ hardware stores helping you make your own headset press & other tools
+ all the folks who think of really cool ways to bypass buying parts and creating your own and put them online
+ 1000 hours realizing everything you need from LBS is double/ triple the price
+ many days breaking your creations...and thinking... i should give up
md2 responding to a
comment by snowcone
09.21.09 - 3:46 pm
reply
sounds like y'all need a reliable shop.
h&s has always carried whatever shit i needed. and they always order shit i want. and they always name good prices.
and mike knows what he's talking about
sometimes.
_iJunes09.21.09 - 3:48 pm
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NO...
its all about wasting time _ijunes
its about forgetting you should do more in life, and working on your bikes all day instead... fucking get with it, please...
its called escapism.
damn.
md2 responding to a
comment by _iJunes
09.21.09 - 3:51 pm
reply
Wont ever happen if you have the foresight to call the shops before you go!
thedoad responding to a
comment by zapahoe
09.21.09 - 4:10 pm
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calling the shops before you go is like hoping for them to not have the part
so negative...
snowcone responding to a
comment by thedoad
09.21.09 - 4:19 pm
reply
calling shops is difference between a sales person checking the actaul inventory versus their mental inventory.
"Oh yeah we have those... swing by"
---hey im here for the part
"oh yeah, we dont have it, sorry... i can special order it"
---fuck, i called and asked
"oh yeah, i know, i had one the other day, i swore it was here, i think someone sold it"
---you said you checked
"oh yeah, ummmm, fuck dude, Im high,,,sorry"
md2 responding to a
comment by snowcone
09.21.09 - 4:23 pm
reply
i'm so familiar with that. there are also the bike shops that have everything you need, but when you ask, the employees don't know what you're talking about.
case in point: i went to Helen's in Santa Monica and the guy in the saddle department didnt know what a Brooks saddle was. When i go to pay at the register, guess what was in the glass case? 6 Brooks saddles.
tortuga_veloce responding to a
comment by md2
09.21.09 - 5:13 pm
reply
I gotcher back B. Lemme know if you need anything. I have a litto bit of clout in H.P. buildings & safety.
When your ready for signage and other stuff like that, just don't start making bionicos and raspados. ~D
BlaxicaNazi09.22.09 - 11:36 am
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that would be a good thing; there are alot of people riding mtb and old roadbikes in hp.
i think there is only 1 shop here next to gage middle school but that shop sucks and its way overpriced
Dean453709.22.09 - 1:03 pm
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If you believe you can achieve
have cameras infront of the store so when
people leave there bikes outside and they get
jacked (if so) we can catch the thief.
along with some bike racks
nightestrida1609.22.09 - 4:27 pm
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oh come on SNOW CONES
are they shit i'll add vodka? or even better slusshies
slurrpess?
yeah i know thats the first thing i'm going to do
add some bike racks. cameras plus
the lounge i'm going to have its going to be right on the front window soooo people would be chilling and could see their bikes at all times.
yeah i know no good bike shops around HP... so why not
if someone comes in and ask for maybe a small patch? or air in tires or a little fucking screw
i probably won't charge them for a screww or a nut that i have tons of...
you know
decent prices for tubes $4
tires brakes and good quility stuff
LouisAve responding to a
comment by nightestrida16
09.22.09 - 4:47 pm
reply
...MAN!!! I thought this thread was gonnta be "Im opening a beer."
Cuz I just did.
n e ways...cheers!
NOISEPOCKET09.22.09 - 4:58 pm
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A BIG FAT DICK FOR YOUR MOTHERFUCKIN' MOUF...
coldcut09.22.09 - 6:57 pm
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Opening a bicycle shop is the best thing I've ever done. Do it.
rev106 responding to a
comment by coldcut
09.22.09 - 7:38 pm
reply
A business plan sounds good.
Here are a few tips (I spent that last year learning them):
(1) Park Tool cable cutters FUCKING SUCK! Do not waste money on these pieces of shit. It's all about the Shimano CT-10's. Try ripping through a half a dozen shitty twist shift repairs with frayed cables. Argh. Never again.
(2) There are a lot of things that a bike store "should" stock on opening day. You'll blow a ton of money buying every kind of piece of bike crap that everyone expects a bike shop to have. Start modestly and, since you're not a corporate super store, plan your purchases wisely. Tubes and tires in most sizes "Yes". Brand new high-end everything in funky colors ... maybe not (unless you've got a market for it).
(3) Keeping track of everything you sell is a big deal. All that bike crap really piles up, and having a good POS/accounting/inventory setup is critical to maintaining your sanity.
(4) The internetz are an oft-overlooked boon for small businesses. Spend some time on a good site that describes what you do and what you provide. If you're ambitious, try selling crap online too. Good luck integrating those sales into all of your other accounting and inventory stuff.
(5) There are no easy ways to find bike parts distributors other than by clawing your way into Interbike, or talking with everyone who runs a shop. Otherwise, you'll be scratching your head when you go to other shops, look at their merch and say "Wha? Where the hell do they get this stuff?". Be prepared for scanning every business document you can possibly imagine and faxing/emailing it these bike parts wholesalers. They seem to take the brick and mortar only business pretty seriously - though some don't, go figure.
(6) Good luck with mechanics! Pay them a decent wage and work with someone you can get along with. I'm lucky, I have the Bike Oven to poach talent from.
ubrayj0209.23.09 - 1:09 am
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