[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.)
