A Customer brought me FLOWERS!!!

[sundial]

That's a reflection of the kind of person you are. People in your area will be very lucky to have someone give them such personal service.

[Geonz]

Maybe he *does* know how hard it is ... either way... you both rock

[Mr. Bloom]

RM:

In banking, we refer to the start-up period as the "stabilization period"...in other words, it's a tenuous balance.

I encourage you to be a walking billboard (so to speak). Don't have a "we've built it, now they'll come" attitude. Go out and bring them in...somehow. Remember, the retail business is selling...and you have to sell your LBS in a competitive world.

One of the ways you do that is to create an incredible customer experience (as you've done with this guy) but ask them to pass on their experience as well.

A satisfied customer tells 5 people; a dissatisfied one tells 20 people. If you ask him, I bet you can get a guy like this to tell 50 people simply because you exceeded his expectation!

This post may be received uncomfortably by you...I hope not; that's not my goal...but success is an outcome of active effort. The more active you are, the more outcome you get.

[Tri Girl]

How wonderfully encouraging that you received some much needed positive feedback. You're doing a great job, and your business will survive because you believe in yourself and your good service will shine through.
I'm so excited for you!!!

[crazycanuck]

That's cool RM!!! Keep up the good work with the clientelle and word will get round that your bike shop is the best in the area

Ironman-again denise, no matter what you do, just remember that you're an amazing chickie just for doing the event! (((Denise))

I also have to ask you, does your bike shop sell http://www.lightweights.org/store/home.php?cat=1?? I'd like to purchase some and thought if you sold them at your shop, i'd happily buy them from you

[Running Mommy]

Thanks all!
CC-I'll have to search the catalogs. I'll get back to you..

Mr. Silver, Thank you for the reminder to sell myself every chance I get.
Mr. Flowers told me that he was at a big box sports store the other day, and he overheard a customer asking the salesman about tri bikes. This store doesn't carry tri bikes, so as soon as the guy walked away mr. flowers gave him my card and told him to go see us because we did. He told him "the owner is an ironman, she knows tri bikes inside and out- and they will give you a great deal".
So hopefully the guy comes in.
But yeah, you can't sit back and just expect biz to come to you. We are advertising, getting rides organized, and even trying to have a demo day with some other vendors.

[KSH]

Awe, that's so nice. Congratulations!

Sounds like you are off to a great start.

[Mr. Bloom]

Outstanding!

[tprevost]

Thanks all!
CC-I'll have to search the catalogs. I'll get back to you..

Mr. Silver, Thank you for the reminder to sell myself every chance I get.
Mr. Flowers told me that he was at a big box sports store the other day, and he overheard a customer asking the salesman about tri bikes. This store doesn't carry tri bikes, so as soon as the guy walked away mr. flowers gave him my card and told him to go see us because we did. He told him "the owner is an ironman, she knows tri bikes inside and out- and they will give you a great deal".
So hopefully the guy comes in.
But yeah, you can't sit back and just expect biz to come to you. We are advertising, getting rides organized, and even trying to have a demo day with some other vendors.

Great Job Denise (then, again... that's what I would expect the response to be to you ) Have you thought about doing some low-key rides from your shop... like a Saturday morning 25 miler or something? That would be a great way to grab the newer riders and keep 'em coming in and you can expand/increase as more people join... OR do some sort of "Prep for the tour of Scottsdale" program?????? AND, get in touch with Melisa and make sure she tells everyone she knows too (since she's not on TE too much anymore).
You're awesome and I'm so glad that your customer acknowledged it!

I can't wait to stop in and say hello!!!!

Trac'

[Trek420]

Mr. Flowers told me that he was at a big box sports store the other day, and he overheard a customer asking the salesman about tri bikes. This store doesn't carry tri bikes, so as soon as the guy walked away mr. flowers gave him my card and told him to go see us because we did.

Another day, another example of big box store flop. The worse they look, the better you look RM.

The other day I was at my fave LBS Robinson Wheelworks in San Leandro (Hi Chris!!) when a young couple came in. They were looking for a cruiser, a beach bomber type for well...cruising. Chris does not carry 'em. He has road bikes from race to touring, mountain bikes, and anything he's building up or custom for uhm, er, erm me ... or someone else.

He gave a brief but well thought out $0.50 tour of how to look for the right shop. He did not name another local shop but told them how to look for one and what to expect in fitting on a cruiser. He told them in an articulate but not condemning way why box stores are evil incarnate .... for bikes anyway.

They thanked him and left.

Moments later they were back in with their full suspension MTB. It needed work and in a split second decision they decided this is their shop.

BTW he's been promising to finish his very basic website for years Between off the street customers like that and word of mouth it's just too booming I think for him to have time to blog etc.

Just keep doing what you're doing!!