Online Communities and Marketing Power!
Posted on 27. Apr, 2010 by Jordan in Jordan, The Gear Movers
As The Gear Movement grows and flows we have tried to continue our quest to remain a part of the cycling and skiing community in every aspect possible. If it is attending a bike race, event, stopping by local shops, doing community or charity work or partnering with other like minded cycling or skiing businesses, TGM is all about it
Fast Tube by Casper
Starting a small company and figuring out creative and intuitive ways to grow your business through social media avenues is always an interesting challenge. The fun thing about it is that it grows on a daily basis and constantly changes. One day you focus on some fun Twitter games and posts, the next day you are plugging away with something on your blog or sending some cool emails to friends and family. The advertising avenues on Facebook have opened a few doors for us. To those that don’t already know, much like Google Adwords, Facbook Ads are the perfect way to focus in our your targeted demographic. With millions of users worldwide and the ability to choose which demographic to focus on, locally, nationally or worldwide, you can promote the heck out of your company in a heartbeat!
Another great way we use the internet to our benefit is by collaborating with online communities who provide different types of services to their members. One such online community like this is www.raceplan.com.
The RacePlan community was started in 2005 as a community for cyclists to stay connected, organize rides, race, share photos, stories and videos. This site has grown and grown over the last few years with more than a 100 members. The site not only provides users with the ability to stay in touch with each other but they also get great discounts on Gear and other benefits through the community’s partnerships. RacePlan has partnered with The Gear Movement to offer its members great deals on listing fees and the ability to unload their old Gear and Inventory’s.
Communities like this one show us the importance of having an online presence in this day and age. The days of local small clubs run out of bike shops are not gone but the internet and the online marketplace has definitely developed the need for something else; an online based community all over the world!
In closing, thanks a ton to our friend Kam over at RacePlan for helping us get this partnership off the ground and for the cool video plug above. If you are interested in joining the RacePlan community please check out their website and contact Kam: www.raceplan.com
Check out these ridiculously large icons Jordan found below and follow us!
New Additions to our Shop
Posted on 28. Jan, 2010 by Jordan in For Sale, The Gear Movers
Jack Bissell shows off his new Crosskate Neck Breaking All Mountain Skates, yikes!
Not only have we been having tons of fun at the shop posting our clients cool Gear but we have added some new employees and some new features in our rad warehouse. Isnt it every grown persons dream where they can work in a cool environment that pushes them to have fun on the job? Well we try to do that here although we do have a custom pool table that has remained unused in the last few months, what a shame. We actually need to have the table re-leveled, does anyone know of someone in Boulder, CO who could do that for us?
New additions to the shop include our employee Mr. Jack Bissell. He hails to us from the great Full Cycle bike shop in town and has so far stated “That he fits into our little operation here just perfectly.” When asked what his favorite part of working at TGM, while posting cool things like the Crosskate Inline All Mountain Neck Breaking Skate (we are still trying to understand these things, check the video below) he states: “The great level of respect everyone has for each other here and the chance to check out cool ‘Foot Hummers’ at TGM.”
Fast Tube by Casper
Well these skates are truly cool, check out the auction and win them for yourself in our eBay store: Crosskate Inline Backcountry All Mountain Ski Skates
Our groovy unused custom pool table and new frame and wheel racks - full!
Along with the addition of Jack, we have added new storage in our “Pool Table” room for the overwhelming inventory of frames and wheels we have been recieving from our consignors recently. As we travel into the new year we are starting to sell through our once large Ski, Skate and Snowboard inventory and start to focus more on the bicycle aspect of the business. A note to summer – “You can’t come soon enough!”
A new addition - more wheels and wheel racks!
Peace out from The Gear Movement, we are going to go try these neck breaking crosskates, but only after we update our health insurance plans!
French Skinsuit Dance Show!
Posted on 08. Jan, 2010 by Jordan in Ben, For Sale, The Gear Movers
Fast Tube by Casper
Sometimes our emplyees and owners alike need to go the extra mile to sell our products. Such is the commitment here at TGM that we offer to our clients. We will slave away to sell your gear at the top dollar price if that is what it takes to make you happy!
The above video was shot by Jordan, with Ben as our model and just about the whole TGM crew in attendance, laughing hilariously! Sometimes you just got to have fun. Crazy thing about it was that we got these skinsuits sold no problem, and for maximum dollar. I don’t like to use this space to pump our ego our our services, this is more a space for us to tell our fans and potential new clients that we use a fun atmosphere to seriously get the job done!
Ben Duke, modeling the latest in ski slope fashion!
One of the perks of working here at TGM, is that you get to pose in our ridiculous photo booth wearing some of the crazy clothing we get! Here is to you, our brave employees!!
The Latest in Jelly Belly fashion wear from TGM! Modeled by Nick "Diesel" Ranno
A Visit to Arrow Bicycles
Posted on 29. Dec, 2009 by Jordan in Jordan
Jordan visits Arrow Bicycles from left Jordan, Chris Militello, GiGi, Chris Davidson
Just a few days after Christmas I stopped into my favorite bike shop on the East Coast; Arrow Bicycles! Owned by the two Chris’, Davidson and Militello, this shop is the brain trust of two highly experienced veteran’s of bike shop culture. Have you ever had that one boss that drove you crazy in the shop you used to work in? Well these two did, they managed as best they could but finally looked at each other and said, “Hey we can do this better on our own.” You put a drive to create a top notch bike shop, the friendly attitude of these two men and the need for a bike shop in the up and coming neighborhood of Hyattsville, MD and you have a recipe for success!
A visit to Arrow Bicycles, we are able to catch a sneak peak of the limited edition Arrow Bicycles Custom Hockey Jerseys, modeled by Chris Militello
Chris and Chris have been in business for a little over a year and a half and while their shop is not busting at the seams, they seam to be doing just fine in a terrible economy where bike shops are dropping like flies. Their reason for success? “Its got to be their experience and bicycle savvy,” say most people. Knowing these guys for the better part of the last decade I know that is a possibility but the real reason is that the Chris’ are just fun people! In a competitive market, everyone needs to be at the top of their game, but the Chris’ go beyond that. They will help you out with whatever you need, no matter who you are, and they will do it with a smile and some love. Its the love that keeps these kinds of bike shops going in hard times. Hats off to you boys!!
Never a dull moment at Arrow Bicycles, always joking around, but here to serve your every bicycle need, no matter what the situation!
My business partner Ben Duke and myself started this business about 6 months after they started theirs and no matter what the hardships where that they encountered he still told me to follow my dream. Militello happens to be one of the few people in this world that I can trust more than anything, and he has proved himself. With a little heart and a big smile, Ben and I have created a great business that is steadily growing and growing!
Chris Davidson, Chris Militello, Gigi and that great bottle of Scotch, here is to you, you guys rock! (A glass is raised)
PS Folks, if you happen to be in the greater Washington, DC area please look these guys up, they will take care of you for all your cycling related needs!
My First Blog Ever…
Posted on 18. Dec, 2009 by Ben in Ben, Nicole
Now Presenting, the one, the only, Mr. Duke!
So, I’ve never blogged nor do I Facebook often, but my business partner Jordan insisted I join the 21st century…
What does one blog about? I’ll just keep it short and sweet.
2009 has been a fast paced, crazy year. My wife Nicole and I received a new addition to the Duke family, Canin. She is the cutest girl in Boulder. She just turned 1 in October. Our son, Ryder, just turned 4. So you can only imagine how busy that part of my life has been.
Our newest addition to the Duke Family, Canin, just look at those cheeks!
My other part of life? New business… The Gear Movement. An exciting and stressful time it has been. Jordan and I started our eBay business selling new and used sporting goods back in March.. We have grown beyond our greatest expectations, which is simply awesome! Needless to say, we’ve been busy – and we want to thank all of you who support us – you all rock!
What does Spiderman, aka Ryder Duke do during his downtime?
So what now? 2010! Should be another fun packed, work filled, kid screaming year – and I hope to find some time to ride my bike along the way.
Happy Holidays!
The Employees of The Gear Movement
Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by Jordan in The Gear Movers
Part of the TGM crew showing their fun side!! Photo by Ben Duke
Did a small photo shoot with some of the employees at our shop yesterday! Part of owning a small business and trying to keep things interesting around here is doing fun stuff! Don’t get us wrong, we don’t take the entire shop to the amusement park on a regular basis but sitting behind a computer and posting Gear on eBay can get a little old sometimes.
Matt showing his best "Blue Steel" impression! Photo by Ben Duke
With an impending snow storm coming in today that dropped a good 5 -6 inches of the powdery white stuff we thought it would be a great time to get out and do a little photo shoot. Pictures are courtesy here by Ben Duke – our fearless leader who takes some amazing shots. Ben has a great understanding of light and how to get the right angles; Jordan typically takes Ben’s great shots and distorts them or ruins the lighting!
Elizabeth - obvously from the "wesstsidde" Photo by Ben Duke
After Ben took these rad photos it was back to work and business as usual, but ay know – we have fun here! That is the most important part of our business. We are here to post your Gear on eBay, so let us know if we can help you move your old inventory – we have fun doing it, and you will definitely have fun getting the checks in the mail! Cheers to all from the crew at TGM!
The paparrazzo is looking for Mr. Ranno! Photo by Ben Duke/Papparrizzi
Elizabeth and Matt showing their "Gangstah" side!
Schwinn Homegrown Straight 8 DH Bike!
Posted on 12. Nov, 2009 by Diesel in For Sale, The Gear Movers
1999 Schwinn Straight 8 DH Bike. Photo by J. Schware
Well ladies and gents, step on up and view this beauty! This is a one of a kind Schwinn Homegrown Straight 8 Joe Lawwill designed DH Bike. This beauty was owned and used as a spare bike by the venerable Schwinn Factory Racing team back from 1999-2000. Check out some of these pics – I mean the bike is in mint condition!
Check out the old school Rock Shox Deluxe pull shock style rear suspension – remember when these things used to just blow up? I’m telling you, this is the bike that first got me into loving DH racing and all things Mtn Biking!
Shimano Airlines System. Photo by Jordan
Theres also the old school Rock Shox World Cup 151 Boxxer Triple Crown front fork, with the matching color scheme! This was the first year Hayes Disc Brakes were available for Mtn Bikes – the beginning of trickle down technology from the moto world. Note the rear floating caliper!
Schwinn Straight 8 Cockpit! Photo by Jordan
Where can you go wrong with the full Shimano drivetrain? From the beefy XTR crank set to the 48t “For Downhill Use Only” chainring to the Shimano Airlines system. Note the special gauges below the top tube to monitor the levels of compression in the air hoses. This rig almost looks like a moto with its beefy Sun Ringle Double Wide front and rear rims with brand new 26×3.0 Nokian Gazzoloddi tires.
Even if you never got much into DH back in the day when there was some money in Mountain Biking, give this bike a once over – honesty this is a one of a kind legend!
Do you have a story about this team or this era of Mtn Biking? Let us know, Check out the video below – we dig this stuff!!
Fast Tube by Casper
Tour of Missouri Recap From Stage 1
Posted on 07. Sep, 2009 by admin in Jordan, Pro Wrenching, The Gear Movers
Super cool Custom SRAM Red 54t Chainring for Nat Champ John Murphy
Today’s a wrap at the Tour of Missouri. We placed 9th in the field sprint (John Murphy – OUCH Maxxis). The win went to Mark Cavendish from the ever powerful Columbia HTC team. A Little side note fans, the Columbia HTC team is one of The Gear Movement’s biggest clients, yes we work with the best! First place price today was a Buell 1125R moto! How will they split that between 8 riders and 12 staff? Any ideas? I’ll tell Cavendish your ideas tomorrow at dinner!
Dan The Bicycle Man - Check out the sweet off center front wheel!
Jordan spent the day in the feedzone and hanging on the massive team bus watching the race on TV! Only one caravan was allowed in the race today and the duty of mechanic goes to the rad Eric Greene (OUCH Maxxis’ head wrench). After the race the fun consisted of getting the team bikes washed super fast! I can now say I am one of the fastest bike washers when I am in my element, no jokes here please! This evening consisted of dinner with the OUCH boys in the great dinning hall. Tomorrows Stage 2 begins in Ste. Genevieve about an hour and a half transfer from the hotel here in St. Louis. Our start time is 11am which means us staff need to get up around and out at the trailer by about 5 or 6am to make sure we get everything dialed in. Stage 2 finishes in Cape Girardeau!
Super Mechanic John Sessa from the Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team
Nice thing about this race is that it is super well organized! The organizers did a great job placing the finishes within 1-3 miles of the hotels we stay in that night, making for short nights and long morning transfers. No sarcasm here but this is a mechanics dream!!
Another Super Mechanic - Vince Gee of the BMC Pro Cycling Team
Looks as though my responsibility for this race will be transfer boy! We have a new staff member named Adrian who is as Irish as they come. He is so Irish that I can barely understand what he says when he talks!! Its gonna be an interesting week of fighting for parking spots, water hookups, rooms, and electrical hookups in the parking lots at hotels all over the state of Missouri. Anyways I’m off to bed, its early to rise tomorrow for a fun day of the Tour of Missouri.
The new location
Posted on 10. Jun, 2009 by Jordan in Ben, Jordan, The Gear Movers
The new space at - roll up warehouse door - pre tuneup
We don’t want to jinx anything before it has happened but we wanted to let all of our fans and current clientele know that we might be moving out of the cramped basement soon!
Duke and myself just did our first tour of commercial and industrial retail locations around Boulder. For any of you who have never done this, even if you don’t have a business that needs a new location, I would recommend setting out on one of these trips with a realtor. Try not to tell them off the bat that you are not really looking for a space!
Hanging bike racks from the rafters - Ben, and Mike Dunn
We met with Kimberly Baldwin on Lee Hill Dr. looking at a place in the Holiday part of town. There are some pretty cool buildings over there, but the floor plans are quite limited. We next traveled down to a spot over on Old Pearl Pkwy between 47th and 49th. This location was super cool with huge ceilings, a bathroom and tons of space, but the location is just a little off. Any of you who have ridden the bike path around this area can attest to that…
Painting with Ryder Duke - he was awesome!
Next was off to a location on Walnut at 4745. The building is a three-unit space with the back unit being the old shipping dept of some former business. This place seemed to be a perfect fit for our biz! The property comes chalk full of bonuses – the old Boulder rail sign on the railroad behind the back of the property, a loading dock, basketball hoop, ample area for a grill, table and chairs, and premium location just off the bike path!
Our final stop on the day was a building adjacent to Graham Watson’s studio on Central Pkwy just off of 55th. Great location but the building just wasn’t right for our purposes, too many sectioned off offices and too little warehousing space. Hopefully we will be able to have some negotiations with the owners at 4745 Walnut and sooner than later we can sign a lease and move into the spot, wish us luck!
Nearing the end - painting the floor, phew bad, bad fumes!
Starting a new Business in an “upside down” economy.
Posted on 17. May, 2009 by Jordan in Ben, Jordan, The Gear Movers
The beginning of it all. The motherload from a great shop in CO
So when Ben and myself started to devise a plan to do an upstart new business in the early months of ’09, we obviously decided to put our knowledge of current affairs, the economy and our business degree to great use, hint the sarcasm.
Believe it or not, this is almost the perfect economic climate to create a new venture devoted to helping people “Move Their Gear.” We created a company where individuals, pro teams, pro athletes, independent reps, industry insiders, and independent retailers can sell their unused, used and even abused gear to the masses through eBay. With a slow economy and the lack of time everyone now has on their hands having to fill in spare small jobs on their calendars to make ends meet – enter The Gear Movement.
Pack it all in! A 22ft box truck full to the brim, ohhh yeahh!!
What we didn’t anticipate was the steady and increasing amount of growth we have seen in just a few months of business. Although the business is still run out of my increasingly cramped house in NoBoCo we are feeling the effects of the growth pretty steadily. Numbers are jumping and new clients are coming though the doors, a few days ago this meant a new phone plan (new iphones) for Duke and myself. Apparently Duke had been using the “free with plan” phone for about 3 years, finally we hooked him up!
The one and only - Mr. Ben Duke, uhh hows the mocha?
Another cool thing about owning our own business is that Duke and myself have been able to make our own hours and be responsible only to our selves, well actually Ben has a few other mouths to feed, but for the most part…
Heres to more bike rides and working towards what we call, “something cool!”
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