HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-02-09, Page 5IT'S YOLIR RII.SINF..S.S """"°'°�" February
°'�' Page'
Bike repair shop
mixes business
and pleasure
By Catherine O'Brien
, T -A staff
CENTRALIA - Starting your
own business takes more than just a
good idea and the desire to be your
own boss. You also need confi-
dence in the idea and a willingness
to work the long hours needed for
the business to get off the ground.
And then, hopefully, the business
will be a success.
Mike Davis was aware of this
when he opened Mike Davis and
Sons motorcycle repair. But he also
knew there was a demand in the
area for such a business and it was
something he did in his free time
anyway.
So in August 1992, Davis and his
wife Suzanne decided to renovate
an old shed on the side of their
house into a repair shop and store
front.
"I've always been interested in
motorcycles and I wanted a job that
I could do at home," he said.
Davis based the business on what
he always wanted from a repair
shop.
"I thought of what my needs were
as a customer and what I wanted to
pay for service," he said.
He carries everything from tires to
shirts, buckles and even insulated
socks. If it's bike related chances
are Davis has it or can get it.
And over the last year business
has been steady. Davis said he's
surprised at the rate of success and
the number of regular customers he
has taken on.
As a bike lover himself, Davis
said it is important for people to
have confidence in the person do-
ing the repair work.
"1 have a lot of respect for peo-
ple who might not know of my
work and are still willing to bring'
their bikes to me for the first time,"
he said.
Davis has a lot of repair experi-
ence, having worked on bikes all
his life. He also travelled to Fair-
view, Alberta to take the only au-
thorized Harley-Davidson course in
Canada.
He also prides himself on quick
repair and said he was fortunate to
find a parts dealers. He can get
parts for American and Japanese
motorcycles usually overnight if he
doesn't have the part on hand.
.Davis said the key to his success
so far has been flexible hours and
customer service.
"I try to be open when it's con-
venient for the customer," he said.
"The key is a good guarantee and
accessibility."
That means being open when
people finish their work day and
have the time to come out for re-
pairs.
His specialty is Harley-Davidson
motorcycles although his has regu-
lar business with all makes. He also
doss other small engine work such
as snowmobiles.
"I've worked on everything from
motor -cross bikes to a 1940 Har-
ley-Davidson," he said.
Davis also targets the younger
bike owners.
"It doesn't matter if you're a kid
with a dirt bike or a seasoned rider,
it all boils down to the love of the
bike," Davis said.
He said young riders are the fu-
ture bike owners and their needs
are just as important. t.
In the future Davis is looking to-
wards having a motorcycle dealer-
ship.
"But I'm really in business for the
love of it and hopefully it will be
something I can pass on to my
kids," Davis said.
MIKE DAVIS R SONS
MOTORCYCLE
REPAIR
HARLEY
SPE $AUST
2271369
Mike Davis' motorcycle repair shop opened in August 1992.
He specializes in all types of bike repair as well as small en-
gine repair on items such as snowmobiles.
lensall to host
small business seminar
HENSALL - A Small Business Seminar will be held at Hensall Pub-
lic School on Saturday, March 5. Awned at South Huron entrepreneurs
as well as residents wishing to start their own business, the seminar will
include guest speakers on a wide range of topics, from operating a
home-based business to buying a franchise,
A special feature of the day -long seminar will be presentations from
local successes, whose businesses have grown and prospered over the
years.
In addition, representatives of the Federal Business. Development
Bank, Farm Credit Corp., Huron Small Business Resource Centre as
well as a lawyer, accountant and marketing consultant are among the
scheduled speakers who will share their expertise and answer questions
from the participants.
Lunch is included in the seminar cost of $15. Registration is limited
to 100 participants; pre -registration only, by February 25.
The Small Business Seminar is presented by the Hensall Economic
Development Committee, in co-operation with Centennial College Cen-
tre of Entrepreneurship, South Huron Community Development Area
and Huron Community Futures Committee, yFt
For more information, call 262-2842.
BE A REGULAR
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3 YR. - 14.89%
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DOMINION
SECTIES
Memier 0001 Bailie Group
186 Main Street
Exeter, Ont.
NOM 1S1
SMALL BUSINESS
Cost $18
immisimerw
/VtaiS ism Refistratio s Forte
OEADUNE: FRIDAY, FEB 25
Name:
N o Lanny Name:
Address:
Town: Postal Code:
Telephone: . (home)
There Is a choice of 3 sessions from 2-3 p.m, and 3 sessions
from 3:15-4:15 p.m Please indicate your preference: Which
of the 3 sessions would you like to attend in each of the 2 time
slob?
2 - 3 p.m — (a) Operating a Home -Based Bust
(b) Buying A Franchise
(c) Marketing Tourism in S.W. Ontario
3-15 - 4:15 — (a) Marketing & Soling Strategies
(b) GST / PST / UIC / EHT 8
Small Tax Planning
(c)Small BQurism Glints & Loans
PLEASE ENCLOSE PAYMENT: $15
($14.02. Sage G.S.T.)
CMgw or mousy order payable b:
Village of Hensall
108 King Street
Hensel!, Ontario NOM 1 XO
r
SATURDAY, •
MARCH 5
8:4111 A.M. - 5:18 P.m.
Location: HensaN Public School
+trig to you
Hensel, Economic
Development
Committee
oovinnsEbn
tMth:
comma/ cosmos
carne d
Ert'•Penwafh0.
Salt Leon
miler
oAMip Ain Awe,
lUon Commis*
Flares crdromM•
limo
evaNt
S pot li t °,
9 - 9:15 a.m.
Welcome! (Cecil Pepper, Reeve of Hensel!)
Moderator. Jim Niesen, Huron Business Development Corp.
9:15 - 9:30 a.m.
Starting A Business: What Doss it Take?
Trudy Van Buskirk, Marketing consonant
9:30 -10:30 a.m.
Identifying Today's Business Opportunities
Mitch Lenko, Directs, Centennial CoIege
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
- Coffee Break -
Sponsored by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
10:45 - 11:15 a.m.
What Is A Business Plan?
Carol Leeming, Huron Small eu.w.s Resource Centre
Chris Little, Little a Grant Lawyer -
11:15 -11:45 a.m.
Incorporation, Proprietorship or Partnership?
-
11:45 112:30 p.m.'
- Lunch & Viewing of Exhibits - '
Catering: Pwh.ri�y. BBQ Dessert Rosemary's Panay
Grant Kime, Big' O', Exeter
Cam & Brian Stedde, Cobble Design, Zurich
Dashwood Lock & Key
Card Stedde, Huron Ridge Acres Inc., RR2 Zunch
Ann Rose, Ica Culture, Hansa
Bob Gehan, Stedman's, Exeter
12:30 - 2 p.m.
2.3 p.m.
How Did They Do It?
Her From Sone Local Successes
Choose one:
(a) Operating A Hone -Based Business
(b) Buying A Franchise
(c) Marketing Tourism In S.W. Ontario
Joan Cassidy, Brentwood on the Beach
Judy Dougal, Gifted HandsIDougalls' U -Pick
To be announced
To be announced
3 - Ji:15 p.m. -
- Coffee Break -
Sponsored by HEDC a south Huron Commwt>fry Development Area
Trudy Van Buskirk Marketing Consultant
William MacGregor, MacGregor Accounting S.Moa
Represents*. Mi nati r_d Culture a Tourism
p.m.
Choose one: ,
(d) Marketing $ Setting Strategises -
(e) GST / PST / UIC / EHT $
Small Business Tax Planning
(f) Tourism Grants $ Loans ,
4:15 - 5 p.m.
The Buck Starts Here:
A Panel Discussion on Sources of Funds
Dianne DeWys, MC; Jim Niesen, HBDC;
Scott Thornhil, FBDB; Dave Gowing, Farm Credit Corp.,
Milch Lenko, C. nwnn isi coli. _ -
Jim Nissen, Huron Business Development Corp. .
Wrap -Up
5.5:15 p.m.
1
{ll (,t'.1;tin 1Ic,N t I 1 1) TU 100 I'AItTICII'ANTS
�-� -
CaOO 262-2812
PRE -REGISTRATION ONLY:
DI ADLINE: FRIDAY, Fr 13. 25
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