A Customer brought me FLOWERS!!!

[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!

[Zen]

I wouldn't give guy number 2 a second thought.
He's just one of those types and obviously lacking any social graces.

[anneimall]

Hi Denise.

Your enthusiasm is so great ... I read your post and searched for your store thinking I would try and buy something from you ... I found your site, but alas, nothing for sale (and no information on where you're located) ... What apparel brands do you carry? I'd always rather support the little guy (or girl )

[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'

[Jo-n-NY]

From one retail store owner to another (July will mark my 2 yr anniversary) you meet all kinds especially in retail. My daughter runs our store (candle & gifts, and now getting into some collectibles) as my husband and I keep our existing day jobs.

It is tough and I have heard you have to give a store 3 yrs to really see if it will work. We found two areas of advertisement that got the most responses and found coupons really help. In my area $5 & $10 off a minimum purchase does better than a percentage off. It is all trial and error in the beginning. It burns me when I don't have something someone asks for, but we keep catalogs in the store and special order for our customers.

Good customer service and a smile is the key and you have that down pat. We are very well received by the community as there is no other candle shop around like ours. We blow any Yankee Candle or Wicks n Sticks away.

But you always have one creep customer every now and then. Although we bag with tissue paper and ribbon for items to be given as gifts (free of charge), we got balled out for not having "free" gift cards by one customer. She also said she would not shop in our store again and was going to tell all her friends. Added to our greeting cards, I now offer free gift cards, but I cannot tell you how upsetting that was to us.

Anyway...just keep up what you are doing, it sounds like you are off to a good start. Mr. Silver is right....word of mouth is also the key

~ JoAnn

[Susan126]

Really awesome RM! High fiving you!

[tulip]

RM-you deserve flowers, and good customers! Funny how a nice pat on the back does so much good sometimes.

Mr. Silver-thanks for the advice to RM about getting out there. I, too, have a small business (not retail, thankfully), and I know I have to get out there more, so I just called up someone today and am meeting with her at noon! Who knows, I might get a project out of it.

RM--thanks for the inspiration. You remind me of my favorite bike shop in Maryland near DC. Owned by a woman (Jill DiMauro) who is just so fantastic and dedicated. Here's her website: http://www.proteusbicycles.com/ You might find it helpful and/or interesting. If you want to contact her for advice or comraderie or whatever, feel free to tell her that I sent ya (Juliellen).

[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!!