It was a pretty steady Christmas season. I've been opened for a year and I must say that my business this year was at least double my first month in business last year, which still isn't saying much. The Internet business is about 1/10 of last years because I didn't advertise this year and you know what, I'm not going into January broke like I did last year, so forget Google Ads, Shopping.com and Pricegrabber.com...I may not have sold as much, but I'm coming out of the busy season in a lot better shape.
My last post about deerskin gloves doesn't tell it all. I still do not have them on the website (http://www.discount-leather.net) yet, but, I'm on my second reorder of gloves in the store and have sold out all the 2XL size again. They may cost a bit more, but they really do please the people who buy them.
Things I'm thankful for this year:
1. I made the brick and mortar business last for the entire year.
2. My good customers who both return to the website (www.discount-leather.net) and come into the store to just hang around and shoot the breeze.
3. My competition locally (Renegade Biker Classics Modesto, Cycle Gear Modesto, Riding in the Wind plus others) helped me more than they know. Keep up the poor service and high prices and I'll do even better in 2008.
4. Two special loyal customers who checked out the new motorcycle leather shop in town told the owner point blank that they "only shop at Discount Leather," and they were just checking the place out & a third who told him he must be out of his mind for selling at the prices he was selling at.
5. The Hooligans Motorcycle Club, Dysturbed Riders MC, Star Touring Merced Chapter,
Bikers for Christ in Modesto, local HA members who frequent the store, Bay Area Riders Forum plus others that have supported my business with a lot of word spreading.
6. Debbee who manned the register for free a number of times so I could get out and do events.
7. Barbara Tatum, the excellent leather alteration person, motorcycle enthusiast, doo rag maker and all around nice lady for looking after me and my customers for the entire year.
8. Some off the wall visitors like Kim, Nikia, Jeremy, Gordon from the local neighborhood to bring a little excitement into my life.
9. My business neighbors Raj & Pam, Tony and Julie, Dave and Albert plus Gonzalo.
10. Last but not least, my parents and Garry N, Ron P and Gary F & even Dave F. for coming around and making my day a little more normal.
Happy New Year!
Here is a shot of the carpet being installed.
Early Store with Clothing, especially the Distressed Brown Motorcycle jackets.Notice that there are not many helmets in the background.
Here is what the store looks like today. Notice the Helmets in the back left. We try to keep 100+ helmets in stock at all times. Also, since we opened, we keep boots in stock, hard saddlebags, plus...
on the back wall we've brought in LED lights for your bike, Helmet carrying backpacks, cargo nets, license plate frames, Red Light Changers, Iceberg vests and of course our Deerskin Gloves. Deerskin are about the only style of glove that we now carry in the store. We didn't get pictures of our patches, helmet stickers, extensive sunglass selection, saddlebag brackets and lots more. If you live in the area and haven't been in yet, you are missing the best selection with the best prices in the whole Central Valley. Our regular customers come as far away as San Jose to shop at the store exclusively. If you can't make it to the store...there is always the web http://www.discount-leather.net.
