Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Byrne.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bill. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After spending several, unsatisfying years in the telecommunications industry, the company I was working for was sold and relocated to Colorado. Standing at a crossroads, reeling, with a generous severance check and no clue what I was going to do next, I realized I didn’t want to go back into the corporate world.
I had always been a cyclist, with my new found freedom I spent a lot of time on the bike. Most days my route took me by a small bike shop in Marblehead, MA, which was owned by a friend of mine. One day, probably tired of me hanging around, he asked me to come to work for him while I figured out what I was going to do. Turns out this was one of those seemingly insignificant moments that completely changes the trajectory of your life. Like getting stuck on an elevator with someone who turns out to be the love of your life. But I wouldn’t realize it right away.
While working in the shop, we would take calls almost every day from Gym Owners asking if we serviced or fixed spinning bikes. Of course we would tell them that we did, but they would have to bring the bikes to the shop. Dumbstruck, most callers would reply “but we have 30 bikes that need tune ups and they weight about 120 lbs. each”. Ah ha! This was my light bulb moment.
I went home and started researching, making calls, stopping by any gym I would pass. Turns out, there was a need, so with a box of envelopes and a crappy computer, I started my grassroots marketing campaign. I got lucky when my 1st customer turned out to be a gym chain of 25 Gyms. So right from the start the business was profitable. Back then, in 2003 Spinning or indoor cycling was still in its infancy and my biggest concern was that it might be a fad like Step class or Jazzercise. It might sound strange but to this day, 14 years later, I still wake up every morning wondering if this is the day the “fad” comes to an end.
Luckily for me the Indoor Cycling industry is booming. In the Greater Boston area there seems to be a new studio opening every month.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m not very religious but for lack of a better word, I have to say I am truly blessed. I haven’t had to overcome many obstacles. I got a little scary during the recession, the concern was that most gym and studio owners were looking for ways to cut back on spending. They soon realized that it was more important than ever to maintain their bikes because there was no budget to buy new ones.
My biggest challenge has been planning for the future, trying to figure out which direction the industry is heading or the next big “thing”. Up until about 2010 there were maybe 2 or 3 indoor cycling specific studios in the state. Most spin classes were held in gyms and were free as part of your gym membership. Who knew people would be willing to pay, $20, $30 even $35 for a 45 minute spin class? Thank you SoulCycle!
About 5 or 6 years ago, indoor cycling specific studios started popping up in neighborhoods all over eastern MA. These studios were charging by the ride, which means if they had out of service bikes, it would mean money out of their pocket. Consider a studio with two bikes out of service for a week at $25.00 per class, 20 classes per week, that’s a loss of $1000.00 in just 1 week. So not only did my business grow, so did the importance and need for the service that I provide.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Spin Cycle Services – what should we know?
Like the name suggests, at Spin Cycle Services we service, maintain and repair spinning/ indoor cycles, ONLY. We specialize in one piece of equipment and we’re are experts at it, all makes and models When it comes to bikes there’s no issue we haven’t seen and no problem we can’t fix.
The number one reason studios don’t maintain their equipment is cost. At Spin Cycle Services we price our services to fit every budget and we show the studio how preventive maintenance actual saves them money by lessening the need for replacement parts and extending the life of their equipment.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I take an honest interest in the success of my customers. I look at it this way, if they succeed, I succeed.
When I take on a new customer I tell them to think of me as a partner in their success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 733 Turnpike St.
North Andover, MA 01845 - Website: www.spincycleservices.com
- Phone: 978-973-9180
- Email: info@spincycleservices.com
Image Credit:
Clyde Simms, Kerry Connelly, Kristin Grossman
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