A Customer brought me FLOWERS!!!

[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).

[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!

[Brandi]

That is so cool!

[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?

[Running Mommy]

Vintage Red Mercedes = Cash on Fire

Now THAT made me LOL!!!!

But she's so dang CUTE!!!!

[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!!

[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?