If you could own your own bike shop...

[Becky]

Would also be nice to have a few women employees not just one token woman (if even that).

I'm pretty sure that this is why I was offered a bike shop job I don't mind....I like changing misconceptions about women and mechanical/technical abilities.

The shop I work for is located near a trailhead, on some pretty decent cycling roads (and with access to even better ones), and next to a pub. It's the ideal location, and a big part of the shop's success.

My observation is that inventory is a huge concern for a lot of shops. It's very difficult to predict what customers will want and in which sizes or colors, and it's risky to carry a lot of "personal preference" inventory, especially as a small independent shop. "Showboating" doesn't help either...

What I want most when it comes to inventory is a shop that stocks basic parts for last minute repairs and is willing to order me almost anything else. I want a shop that stocks the products that they use and love, not what some corporate entity tells them to carry. I want a shop that is friendly, knowledgable, and part of the community. I want a shop that understands the fundamental concepts of fit, not just, "you're a woman, so here, try this WSD bike".