Having owned and operated a bike shop for many years I would suggest that you do not open your own store. Yes it is a fun business to be in but you are not going to make much money. A shoestring investment would be $25,000. $50,000 to get a halfway decent shop up and going. The Pluses: you are your own boss, you can oversee a growing business, please customers, spread goodwill, dream for the future, build up your business, add new bike brands and merchandise. The Minuses: Depending where in the USA that you live - seasonality. Cold winters = no income, but the rent, electricity, water bill, heating, plowing bills still have to be paid. Too hot - no one will ride. You work lots of hours for not much money. The profit margin is lousy-new bikes have low margins. Labor rates are archaic. Too much free work done. The mechanic to fix your washing machine walks through the door and it's $75 for the minimum service call. The customer who you just did a 5 minute adjustment for says, you're going to charge me for doing that ? You have stiff competition from other shops trying to unload their goods while the sun shines so they are not stuck with them in the Fall. The internet is stiff competition. When I was in business I could buy a well known brand name bike computer from a mail order house for less than I could from my bike wholesaler ! People open bike shops to follow their dreams. Some succeed, some do not. It is a fun business to be in, but you have to realize that it is a BUSINESS, not a HOBBY. Thank yous do not pay the bills. Other sports retailers like the ski business have a huge mark- up in the hard product, and no after market service. Bikes have a lousy profit margin and all need service. My 2 cents is do not do it. Work for an existing shop and learn the business and let the owner have the headaches. Learn something like computer service and repair-everybody needs that ! Good luck in your decision.