A Customer brought me FLOWERS!!!

[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).

[maillotpois]

What a great story!!

I have to say I cannot even imagine doing an Ironman in the same year you start a new business. Holy cow that's a lot to juggle. I am in awe!

[Mr. Bloom]

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.

Cool! I hope it went well!

[Running Mommy]

Three years before we know if it will work ehh??? UGH! I hope I make it that far!!
ha ha ha
Sold another bike to a lady today. A comfort bike for her to ride around the neighborhood with her grandkids. Funny thing is most people poo poo the comfort/hybrid bikes until they get on them. I measured her all up and put her on the mtn bike she thought she wanted. But then she tried the hybrid and fell in love. She even told me to ride it so she could see what it looked like. lol

And I wanted to thank all of you for your sage advice. I even got a couple of pm's. It seems people are afraid to give me suggestions. HECK, that is what I NEED!!! Feedback is a good thing! You can't grow without it.

Oh- and the website.... sigh.. I know I need to update it! I haven't gotten into e-tailing yet, but if there is a bike component you need, or something you are looking for, please send me a pm. I can help you that way.
I hope to have shop jerseys and such soon. But I need to build up a bit more $$ first. As soon as I get an order going, I'll let ya'll know. Our logo is kinda cool if I do say so myself.
Thanks again all! And keep it coming!
Ciao!
Denise

[Mr. Bloom]

It sounds like you've got a clear focus.

But, here's a resource that may help with some things you haven't anticipated:

http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html

Some of their stuff may be basic...but sometimes that's very good. They also have a program with retired execs - called SCORE - that can come in and provide advice...it's only as good as the volunteers, but in a market at big as Phoenix, they may have a good team.

I like your comment about building up more $$. Cash is king!

Basic rule to remember:

Inventory increases = Cash Out
Inventory decreases = CASH IN
Slow moving inventory = Cash in Jail
Vintage Red Mercedes = Cash on Fire

[VeloVT]

Though I have three decently outfitted LBSs within a 5-10 minute drive, I wish I had just **one** that offered the quality of service that your shop sounds like it offers.

I'm sure you deserved the flowers!!! Keep *listening* to your customers and I'll bet it won't be the last time.

[Melalvai]

Cash is king!

Not to hijack the thread, but isn't that a Dave Ramsey line?

[Mr. Bloom]

Not to hijack the thread, but isn't that a Dave Ramsey line?

Yep...

http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/stupid...ContentID=4405

And just for the record: Dave Ramsey has a great perspective and learned the hard way...

I have one of those and I'd have to agree.

Jorn, my mechanic, told someone I know the other day what a great guy I am

Well, duh! I was 15% of his revenues last year!

[Wahine]

Jorn, my mechanic, told someone I know the other day what a great guy I am

Well, duh! I was 15% of his revenues last year!

Not to thread hijack, but we had to have a valve job done on an eight cylinder engine last year.....

Maybe we should start a support group?

OK - back to the scheduled program.

[Melalvai]

WARNING: Thread hijack ahead!!

And just for the record: Dave Ramsey has a great perspective and learned the hard way...

I wouldn't call myself a diehard fan, but I did get inspired to pay off and get rid of the credit cards. Now we're making headway on my husband's student loans, even as he accrues more each year. His scholarships went a long way to reducing that but my meager postdoc salary doesn't quite pay everything that needs paid without his student loans.

The best feeling was being able to replace the clutch with our emergency fund instead of having to "figure out" how to deal (=use a credit card). In my ideal world we'd just get rid of the car and have far fewer dips into the emergency fund!

<<Thread hijack complete. Returning you to your regularly scheduled topic.>>

[Running Mommy]

Vintage Red Mercedes = Cash on Fire

Now THAT made me LOL!!!!

But she's so dang CUTE!!!!

[Velobambina]

Maybe I'll order my next bike from you and come out there for a fitting. Maybe next February, when it is cold and icy here. We can go for some long rides together!! In the WARM SUN.... Is there such a thing?

[Wahine]

Vintage Red Mercedes = Cash on Fire

I have one of those and I'd have to agree.

Denise - what's the closest airport to you and what's the weather like this time o' the year?

[Running Mommy]

Wahine-
Phoenix- easy in and out- and today it was about 77 degrees!