RETAILERS
concede retail exists predominantly online further driving the ethos of a cyclery. The Cyclery label describes our energy for community support. We’ve been able to support public bike repair stations, run free mechanic-skill sessions and support riders literally from the sidelines at events.
As we mature I am forcing us to
step bravely towards being more authentic, selfishly representative of who we are, and working with more selection - i.e not touching consumer- modified e-bikes or outsourcing the super-specialisms sooner. This saves our time for those areas where we can make maximum impact.
How has business and the industry been for you in 2023? We have our capacity filled about 85% currently by returners. They’re our lifeblood. We’re able to support people who are as invested in the growth of cycling even more than we are - they’re our guiding light. Being connected like this is a massive compliment. We’re very lucky to be in the location we are, as our
catchment area is brilliant for clients but we’re also eligible for great suppliers. We’re thankful everyday that our suppliers allow our small business to offer their brands. We all want to be putting million-pound orders in every day, but we can offer our clients a specific component once or twice a month, which is very impactful on our end. I’m holding the opinion that building a bike business of any sort through the Covid challenges must be some sort of baptism by fire with an opportunity to learn at such an accelerated rate, like instilling the leanest operational practices we can, specifically on the bootstrap budget we have. If we can do this, we can do this. All I ask of us is that every day, we do the best we can, focusing on quality as the main goal. Done right over done quick is the goal.
What are your plans for 2023 and beyond? Ride more! Closing 2023 we have a heavy training goal so we’re going through shifts to concentrate on our retail capabilities. Service offerings will continue in a similar vein as we look to streamline how we do things - I need us to get more juice from this squeeze! We’ll definitely push our group sessions more in future, where we visit workplaces where for a full working day we bang out as many services as possible, or we meet the gravel gang at the pub or cake shop to show how to best index gears.
14 | September 2023
How many staff do you have, what are your opening hours?
I spearhead the whole thing as a sole-trader business, but I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have the familial support I have, and we have spare shirts that get thrown on by regular helpers when we need them. I’m getting better at asking for help but that was definitely a skill it took longer to learn than I would have liked. Our fitting and service efforts are run by appointment with free, no-obligation assessments in addition, but we open 10am to 7pm four days a week, closing an hour earlier on Fridays and 10am-4pm on Saturdays. Sundays we try to pick up the pieces.
Do you have any tips you’d like to share with other retailers? Besides the reminder to step back and celebrate accomplishments? We’re still learning so much, but building a network has been valuable to us. From day one connecting to local business groups, even outside the bike industry, proved brilliant - it’s fascinating how common ‘business problems’ are. Details might change but the learning is the same. The fail-together, fail-fast, Steve Jobs mentality is powerful. As an independent, it’s too easy to develop a silo mentality so having people pull your head out of the sand every now and again helps. I want us to communicate better. Even a short, out-of-
hours text message helps people feel connected to the process. With that also comes the under-promising habit. A 20-minute workshop job isn’t a 20-minute job when you have to welcome guests, answer the phone, respond to emails, clean the shop, feed yourself, sleep sometimes and submit your accounts…
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