back again

It's been too long since the last update- busy springtime.  Had been riding mountain bikes a lot, too much, it seems.  A trip over the handlebars resulted in an injured shoulder, but now recovered.  Had to develop some modification to my shop methods for installing locking hardware, help streamline production somewhat.  Broke enough hand riveter tools to warrant buying a pneumatic riveter, now it's a joy to rivet stuff!
Did some product testing travel in September, dirt and pavement of western Idaho.  Tried out some new bracket ideas for vstroms, worked out well- one was bent when the bike fell on it at low speed, collapsed somewhat but did it's job, and carried a liter of fuel for the remainder of the trip.
Got in a visit to Happy Trails in Boise, great shop and staff.  I've since purchased hard boxes and racks from them, great experience all around.
A few recent adventures in the supply chain- shipping a pallet from the midwest to here midsummer turned into quite a headache w/ the shipping broker defaulting on paying Fedex, Fedex holding the shipment until payment was made- argh.  When the tubes finally arrived, a new design proved to be less satisfactory, but my supplier came through with a speedy revision to the problem. 
Enough tube tenders have been sold to warrant a second production run.  They were selling like crazy at the end of the summer, since restock very few have moved!
Lots of repeat customers, feedback still good on ebay- seems like the business is developing nicely. 
Bikes in storage for at least this week- 29*, ice and snow on the ground- what used to be- "I wonder how the drz will handle in the snow?" is now- "boy, it's good to not have constant pain!"

Up

A number of ideas and refinements have recently come together to help smooth out the whole business of having a business.  My primary domain has been melded with my own web creations, to present my products and ideas directly.  It's great to have the counter read "500" views of my own fledgling works.  Sales have been encouraging for winter months.  This morning had a meeting with Scott, a local friend of a regional customer.  Scott had stopped by to pick up a mega tube and a tool roll, and I got to have the hands on tool tube experience that has repeated many times, and never gets old-  Someone sees the tube, picks it up, plays with the cap, turns it around, and says "you know what you could do with these...", and it is often a new angle or niche I hadn't considered, or had thought, maybe I'd do that, but few others would.  Scott's idea is to get these out to the ham radio community, and associated groups and interests, ARES/ RACES-  A group I have no experience w/, but would happily supply!

I have had good success w/ the dual sport tool roll- these are such great quality that my sales pitch is little more than make it available- they really sell themselves-  I have one on each motorcycle now, and configured the tool roll w/ my tube tender under the seat of my vstrom- a new departure for me, highlighting products independent of the tubes.  My initial supply of 40 is well on it's way to being sold- met today w/ supplier for the next generation batch-  I'm adding a few improvements that should keep these popular.
On a particularly mild day last week, I was straightening up the "store", and realized I was pretty low on large tubes ready at hand.  A short jaunt to the warehouse, rather the garage behind our "little house", a rental house nearby, secured the supply for the next week or so.  I had a brief moment while carrying back the carton of "you know, this might actually be working, the pile of cartons seems to getting smaller, and my trips to the Post Office are at least staying steady".  Like I say, a brief moment, but a good one.

Wired

Stopped by a local bookshop last week, looking for the latest copy of Scoot magazine.  I sent some products to them for potential review, and thought I should have their magazine on hand- I really enjoy their blend of products, lifestyle and scooter culture- it's not something I'm immersed in, but they appear to be having fun.  No luck on the current issue, though, but as I was browsing I happened upon the latest Wired magazine.  Usually I enjoy this, but don't really connect- too techy, too trendy, again not my life.  This issue, though, featured an article on business startups- "a garage and a great idea".  It discusses the intersection of internet connectivity, small manufacturing tools available to the little guy, and the availability and willingness of chinese factories to produce small production runs-  This is really hitting home!  The business examples were substantially larger and more established than mine, but it documented the feeling I've had since starting this-  I wasn't sure if it was just my point in space right now allowing the doors to open, maybe I was just able to place myself near those doors as the opportunities presented themselves.  Anyway, I liked the article- check it out.
Been busy lately with a few product issues- more breakage in shipping than I expected- I guess I need to increase shipping cost to accommodate more rugged packaging-  I've tried to keep shipping low, but maybe I'm below the sustainable threshold, if I'm replacing products out of my pocket.  Not much damage, but enough to notice.  File under growing pains.

Missteps

It appeared things were going too well.  I posted a group email last week to my list of past customers, I figured if anyone was interested it would be the people who had purchased from me.  I got a response from a friend of a customer, said he was interested in the tubes, his buddy forwarded my latest message with catalog and website links.  His message was somewhat cryptic, asking, boy oh boy, do you have a lot of people on your list?  Huh? The next AM I reread his note, scrolled down to a copy of my message, saw a highlighted hyperlink that I didn't put or intend to be there, a certain combination of my website name- a quick look verified a whole different marketing demographic!  Fantastic, I just spammed my customers w/ porn! Another great marketing technique!  A quick apology was sent, and asked if anyone would like to be removed from future mailings, tell me-  A few did fairly quickly, a few said no problem- seems to have leveled off now.  Amazing how many ways there are to screw up!
Sales slow but happening, not bad for stormy January weather here.  Tool Rolls not catching fire yet, it's hard to show how good they are if you can't handle them- absolutely bombproof high quality-  I having good luck w/ local sales, a friend has picked up a few for 10 essentials pack for him and his climbing buddies.  Having been in situations recently where they came up short on basic survival goods, he was happy to consolidate the items and keep them on hand.  Good marketing niche.  Another friend who is a local climbing ranger is exploring the viability of these tubes as a "pack it out" vessel for busy alpine routes.  Budget cuts have eliminated NPS & NFS from provided high alpine toilets- now you get a "wag bag"- the ultimate pack it in, pack it out-  how about a sturdy container Outside of your pack? 

New items

Finally, back in stock with the Mega Tube.  I purchased a few cases in October as a trial, and quickly sold out.  There are about 27 Vstroms tooling around Greece with these, and a few in Canada, one in Sicily.  Kinda fun for a product that has up until now had NO retail distribution!

Also, introducing this week new Dual Sport Tool Rolls.  Highest quality, professionally sewn packcloth, designed for years and years of rugged service.  Likely a limited edition, restocking requires a new production run, cost is increasing, may be too much to move 100 of them.

banner day for an overgrown hobby

Whew- I'm beat.  Got word this AM the long awaited shipment of Mega tubes had arrived at the warehouse in Seattle- hooked up the utility trailer, and hit the road.  20 good size cartons, a quick game of Tetris Utility Trailer, and I was homeward bound.  A short stop at Seattle Fabrics helped prime the creative juices whilst bleeding off any excess cash.  Enroute to UPS to ship off a portion of my newly acquired load, I stop at my favored nylon gear supplier, and laid in a supply of Dual Sport tool rolls.  The store front is now stocked! Bring on the orders!

This project culminates about 2 months of scheming how to get a good supply of Megas here- required a special production run, a goodly bit of capital upfront, and some heaping portions of patience.  Now to post some samples to various magazine writers for their hands on reviews... The days are just packed!

Great Day

Mega tubes enroute to Seattle, finally- caught up in HS inspections, 3 weeks overdue.  Met up w/ nylon goods supplier today, fortuitous meeting- the tool rolls I am seeking are excess baggage for him- cool.  Pricing TBD, will be listed soon, both ebay and t3 sites.  GFC seems to be turning a corner- civil discourse, actually appear to be doing the right thing- time will tell. that ol' karma thing again.