[email protected] (Qui si parla Campagnolo ) wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Jobst-<< and the business
> end is where most such shops go under, not in understanding the
> maintenance of the machine. Sales is where it's at as well as
> marketing. >><BR><BR>
>
> I agree that business sense is where many LBS commit suicide but Knowledgable
> labor is a far higher margin than bicycle sales, which typically are the lowest
> margin of things 'sold' in a bike shop.
>
> Peter Chisholm
Hmmm... can I agree with *both* of you? "Knowledgable Labor" is quite
valuable... but communicating that to the public requires a high
degree of sales skill, marketing, and political adroitness. Omitting
any of these will be a handicap in making a successful new bicycle
business.
To the original poster: it's a noble pursuit, but that's not enough.
Before you invest major chunks of cash, make sure you want to
*run*a*business* first. As Jobst points out, the bicycle business is
overstuffed with people who are willing to cut everything to the bone
simply to stay involved in the "Bicycle Business". Either that, or
people who are very successful in other arenas and are looking to burn
off excess cash (I've seen both).
My advice: do your homework. Figure out how much cash you're willing
to lose. Make a business plan. Be prepared to make hard decisions and
stick with them. Marry someone with lots of money.
Jeff (A pretty good mechanic, fairly knowledgable, but lousy in the
sales/marketing area. I married a beautiful, smart woman who earns
lots of money and rides bikes, too.)
