Zeggelaar

Just wondering if anybody here runs their own shop. I'm planning to move back to Canada in the next couple of years and find a fertile place to start a shop. I was hoping to hear some feedback on successes and failures, tips or tricks and bits of useful info on getting started.

How much seed money do you figure is enough for starting in a large town or small city location?

I don't have a solid plan yet but I was hoping to bring back about $100,000 for startup. I was also planning to include outdoor gear and athletic footwear as well.

Ophidian

You might want to save some more money the shops I've worked with cost more than $250,000 to get going. You got to remember you need showcases, wall units, bike racks and some extra cash for the first few months. Make sure your in an area the can get you some better brands of bikes. And remember over half of all bike shop close within 5 years. I've seen 9 shops close in my city in the last 6 years. Yes that right 9. Get in a area with no shops if able and get a good buisness plan in place and go for it. I know people that have made it work very well.

Maelstrom 

Know your market and price point. Pick the niche and run with it.

Unless you have enough money to start an all encompassing shop, but again thats knowing your market. In whistler for example its only fr and dh bikes that sell with xc coming up 3rd. In the city a few roadies sell but cheap mtbikes make the grade with good dh and fr bike coming in 3rd.

WannaGetGood

I hope to own my very own bike shop one day.