October 23, 2011
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Bike-Enabled Entrepreneurs
When I began Wordsmith Writing Coaches, I knew I had to keep costs to a minimum, and also find a way to keep in shape while doing a lot of writing, editing, teaching, and coaching (the sort of coaching that involves sitting at coffee shops a lot). If only I had a bicycle that could easily schlep around all my stuff...
Hey, I do have such a bike! I mated my old Motiv to a Free Radical back in 2001, creating an Xtracycle-- a bicycle with that little sumthin' Xtra that makes a huge difference. So I drew up plans for canvas "Wordsmith" pannier panels and "Wordsmith" bike stickers and a "Wordsmith" bike flag*, and drew up my business plan around the Xtracycle as my transportation.
Every time I run into other entrepreneurs who include the bicycle in their business, I get excited. A few months ago, my wife discovered Bicycle Bread Company, a terrific local outfit that operates on a shoestring and several delivery bicycles (and of course a lot of amazing recipes & ingredients).
Then just the other day as I wheeled my Xtrabike into the street on my way to meet a client, I did a double-take: three men were pulling up to our neighbors' apartments, on bicycles-- outfitted with lights and stereo system, and laden with lawn-care gear!
Now these were men after my own heart. And professionally interested in my lawn. Have I mentioned that I am going to great lengths to re-establish my dead and dog-holed front yard? Well, it's coming along, and it definitely attracted the attention of these fine gentlemen.
They asked about my yard, I asked about their bicycles, and good rapport was enjoyed all around.
So now I can vouch that there are at least three bicycle-based businesses** in the USC area: my own, Ben and Stephen's, and now Martin's!
Do you know of any other bike-enabled businesses?
(*I never actually made any of those things, but it was a fun creative design process)
(**...that is, businesses that don't sell or repair bicycles: tutoring/dissertation coaching, a bakery, and landscape maintenance have nothing to do with bicycles as a core competence. But all of us have found bicycles to be a tool that serves our business well.)
