who thinks its time i open my own shop?
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you got skills man! ever think of sign painting on the side? as long as you can get the word out I think you will be busy.. :wink:
A.S.BOLTNUT
He who dies with the most toys ,still dies No Fear
Bike shop ?
Well, you know I have one project coming to you for striping soon. And I have some thoughts on some other projects as well. But I alone can't support your shop. Plus I'm way down here in Visalia.
Is it a customization shop? Bike shop? Paint shop?
Is it a customization shop? Bike shop? Paint shop?
I just assumed it would be striping and maybe tattoos.. 8)
Takes more than skills....
Trying to not lump you in with the "artist" stereotype, but most all of the talented pinstripers I ever dealt with are kinda flaky, meaning they will tell you one thing... then never show up. Then you end up having to chase them all over town to get your stuff striped.
I guess what Im trying to say is, you can have all the talent in the world, but if you dont have the drive to do it day in and day out then it probably wont work out for you, especially if you are trying to support a family, you really need to have a steady income.
But I will say that a talented pinstriper that can be counted on to do what he says he's gonna do, and/or has a shop that you can count on being open regular hours, will have plenty of business and attract a regular following.
I hope I didnt offend you, I wish you nothing but success. 8)
I would say, if you can handle the daily grind of taking a hobby and making a living out of it, then you are gonna be ok.
Trying to not lump you in with the "artist" stereotype, but most all of the talented pinstripers I ever dealt with are kinda flaky, meaning they will tell you one thing... then never show up. Then you end up having to chase them all over town to get your stuff striped.
I guess what Im trying to say is, you can have all the talent in the world, but if you dont have the drive to do it day in and day out then it probably wont work out for you, especially if you are trying to support a family, you really need to have a steady income.
But I will say that a talented pinstriper that can be counted on to do what he says he's gonna do, and/or has a shop that you can count on being open regular hours, will have plenty of business and attract a regular following.
I hope I didnt offend you, I wish you nothing but success. 8)
I would say, if you can handle the daily grind of taking a hobby and making a living out of it, then you are gonna be ok.
You didn't offend me at all. By shop I mean bicycle shop and I have over 18 years exp in them. Managed two, college cyclery and port city cyclery, won the build off here twise placed third once so yea I kinda know what it takes. I do pinstriping in my side time, I was asking more to those who have known me awhile. Sorry I don't do tats thats why I pinstripe. If I mess up but I'm quick I can fix it. Hard to do with skin lol.
Well, I'll visit your shop if you do.
I've actually been looking to buy a small shop for my bike building. It wouldn't be a bike shop, per say, but a place to do the building. Something like Ray's set up.
I've actually been looking to buy a small shop for my bike building. It wouldn't be a bike shop, per say, but a place to do the building. Something like Ray's set up.
I think a lot of the stuff that Ratfink said applies to a bike shop as well. There is no doubt that you have the skillset required to build killer bikes, the question I would ask yourself is do you have the skills to run a business. There are a ton of variables in the equation. What market will you try to reach...who is your competition...what product lines will you rep. if any...how much initial capital will the venture require and where will it come from? And the list goes on and on and on.
My advise would be to start a small business plan. It will help you flesh out your concept and make you look at some things you may be overlooking. It will also help greatly if you need to get financial backing.
I am sure that your local Chamber of Commerce can help. You can also go out to the SBA website for some guidelines and a template for a business plan.
Good luck with your dream (or maybe nightmare :lol: )
My advise would be to start a small business plan. It will help you flesh out your concept and make you look at some things you may be overlooking. It will also help greatly if you need to get financial backing.
I am sure that your local Chamber of Commerce can help. You can also go out to the SBA website for some guidelines and a template for a business plan.
Good luck with your dream (or maybe nightmare :lol: )
mobile bike repairs sounds like a neat idea.
Rat Rod
Owner & Founder
I used to listen to Dave Ramsey a lot and it was interesting to hear the amount of folks who would call in for advice and many times they would be saddled with huge amounts of debt from failed businesses.
I don't know what the stats are on how many small businesses fail, but it always sounded pretty high to me.
Starting small and working your way up always sounds like good advice.
I don't know what the stats are on how many small businesses fail, but it always sounded pretty high to me.
Starting small and working your way up always sounds like good advice.
with a mobile business, your investment would be minimal. You can always sell the van after. Your insurance and taxes would be a lot lower.
and since your a pin striper too, that's usually the way pin stripers do business right?... by going to where the pin stripes need to be applied?
might work.
and since your a pin striper too, that's usually the way pin stripers do business right?... by going to where the pin stripes need to be applied?
might work.
like the rest of the guys I also think start small do a lot of repairs some custom. This guy in Denver is a friend of my daughter he has a shop that is smaller than my bsmt shop he does lots of repairs in the neighborhood but can do them in short turnaround time most as you wait. He also does custom frame bikes got the mill cheap has a frame jig and tig welder. all in this little shop he supports two kids and wife so it can be done. Chocolate Spokes a small boutique builder and repair shop in Denver. http://chocolatespokes.com/
met owner Gregory very nice person.
Gary
met owner Gregory very nice person.
Gary
id say if you have the drive the will the know how and the determination theres nothing you cant do.. and you will never if you can till you tried.. wow i think i need to take my own advise sometimes.. but if you feel it in you heart that this is truly what you want who are we to tell you not to or other wise ..... GO FOR IT!!!
I would say google "business plans" first. Come up with a solid business plan that you can live with and not starve to death on. Then build your business by being a good repair guy. Repairs are your money maker. The mark-up on new bikes really isn't enough to live off of, but repairs you can. Like a couple of other guys said, start small and work your way up.
jeff
jeff
I automatically like him. He's a snazzy dresser. Probably sharp in conversation as well.XC204 said:like the rest of the guys I also think start small do a lot of repairs some custom. This guy in Denver is a friend of my daughter he has a shop that is smaller than my bsmt shop he does lots of repairs in the neighborhood but can do them in short turnaround time most as you wait. He also does custom frame bikes got the mill cheap has a frame jig and tig welder. all in this little shop he supports two kids and wife so it can be done. Chocolate Spokes a small boutique builder and repair shop in Denver. http://chocolatespokes.com/
met owner Gregory very nice person.
Gary
if youve got the cash for the business license,insurance,rent, and time for it. i know you have the customers skills and the skill to repair them so if you want it go for it! id say talk with MikeS first though to kinda get a feel of what he went though to get a shop going and some what stable.
if you do decide to go for it...good luck and hope it works out well for you! :mrgreen:
if you do decide to go for it...good luck and hope it works out well for you! :mrgreen:
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I've seen some of your work and it is amazing, I couldn't think of a better guy to run a bike shop. As long as you can manage the financial side of it and get plenty of buissness, proper insurance, permits, exc. I'd say go for it! Wish you were closer to here, our bike shop around here is run by a fixie snob. :roll:
