Wednesday, June 25, 2014

New Phone Line and a new Bike shop Manager

June 25, 2014


Personal and Bike Shop News:

Today we had a land line phone installed in the bike shop. The number is 229-891-3010.

Many of you know that I have taken a full time position with Dish Network as an installer. It comes with a good benefits package, quite a bit more per hour than my part time Home Depot job and I really think I am going to like it. I will be working 4 days on 3 days off each week, with my 4 days being 10-12 hours a day.

Because of this new schedule I worked out an arrangement with Nick. Nick is an Army Veteran. He was a diesel mechanic in the Army and knows about bicycles. Nick will be managing the bike shop for a while and possibly quite a while. We have even talked about the possibility that he could sometime in the future take it over altogether or could become a partner  in the shop.  Those are things that only time will tell.

Anyway if you get to Moultrie, stop by BMG Cycles Plus 1612 1st Ave. SE here in Moultrie and meet Nick.. 

We have  couple of new bikes that are ready to go. one is a full suspension older Wal Mart bike that has new shifters, new freewheel and a whole bunch of other stuff. It was a repair that has been abandoned the bill on it is 132.00, which is what we are asking, but make an offer and we will consider it. I will probably post some pictures in my next blog.

We also have a really nice Genesis MTB bike with Front Disc brakes and a really beefy frame. Really nice bike for the price, asking 119.00 but will take any reasonable offer, has a brand new rear derailleur, new chain and just finished a complete tune up.  I will post a picture of it in the next blog also.

The third and last bike I will mention today is a Mongoose 21 Speed, that has upgraded shifters and is in great shape. 115.00 OBO. All three bikes are covered under our special program. When you buy a used bike from us we provide a FREE 30 day check up and 2 Free Tune Ups over the next 2 years. The tune ups can be used as the buyer sees fit.  We want to be your bike shop for life, not just a one time sale.

Bible Verse from Devotional:

He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
    it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
    they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
    the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,
    and plants for people to cultivate—
    bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens human hearts,
    oil to make their faces shine,
    and bread that sustains their hearts.
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,
    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests;
    the stork has its home in the junipers.
18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
    the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons,
    and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,
    and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey
    and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away;
    they return and lie down in their dens.
23 Then people go out to their work,
    to their labor until evening.
 
Marketing:
 
Yes I am still doing Internet Marketing, however at this point I am working much harder at getting everything done that I need to do to get set up with my new employer so have sort of put all of my IM stuff on the back burner.  I am at this point working toward opening a sporting goods store under the name of BMG Cycles Plus on the Internet. This will be done over the next couple of months and the progress will be documented here on this blog.
 
At this point I have the URL for the sporting goods store http://www.bmgcyclesplus.combut really have not began setting everything up, I plan to work on that some while I am in my hotel room after I get done with training, but not sure how much time I will have in the evenings. I am guessing it will take several hours but not sure at this point.
 
Have a great day
 
Jerry "The Bicycle Nut" Goodwin
BMG Cycles Plus
1612 1st Avenue SE
Moultrie, GA 31768







 
Have to rework this a little but a similar sign will soon be in the Bike Shop
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, June 20, 2014

BMG Cycles News

June 20, 2014


Personal News

Yesterday I went to Valdosta and did my e-verify/I-9 forms which kind of "seals the deal" on the new job. The plan right now is that on June 30th I will head to Marietta Georgia for the first week of training. Dish Network will be providing a hotel room, meals and uniforms and the training of course.

Last week I turned in my letter of resignation at Home Depot, I will miss that job. The people there were great and I really d like the job, but Dish has a lot of benefits over Home Depot that I just could not pass up. Dish is full time, THD is part time, Dish offers a "benefits package" that THD does not. Dish is 40 plus hours a week, THD is 20-30 Hours per week, and Dish pays more per hour.

Also I think I will really like working at Dish, I have always had a strong interest in Electronics and have an Associates Degree in Computer Robotics Technology. Also have in the past repaired computers, VCR's and even printers on a part time basis. Many years back even installed a Satellite TV system for a Doctor in Nogales, AZ when I lived in Tucson. I also installed a computer network system about the same time at The Women's Center in Nogales and built computers for other doctors and for several people that would come over from Mexico to get their computers. I even worked with the French Ambassador to Mexico around that time to get him a special Atari Computer.

My understanding is that I will be working the Omega Georgia territory as an installer, however could have installs, repairs, etc.  anywhere in a 60 mile radius. The company furnishes uniforms, tools, van, gas and pays well, so I am quite excited about the new job.

I have to work on cleaning out my shed in the next month, so I can store all my "supplies" at the house, It has been needing it anyway. Ruth and I have already started that. That may mean the Storehouse at Heritage is in for a big donation, and much of that stuff has been in there since about 2006 when we bought the 10 X 16 portable barn with loft.  I am probably going to turn it into a workshop/Dish Storage area. Or depending on the amount of storage needed may get another portable building that can be used just for the Dish Products.

Dish does have some really neat products like the Hopper and the Tailgater, and I have heard a lot of really good things in the area about their service and products. They even offer a special Glass Cleaner for electronics that is made by disabled veterans, pretty neat way of helping the vets.

I work today at Home Depot so will see about getting some prices on shelving or wood to make shelving that will fit the boxes of Satellite products the Daniel showed me yesterday.


Bike Shop News

With the new job, I am not going to have a lot of time to work on bikes which is sort of depressing but I am not going to just stop altogether. Last week I posted on Facebook about needing some help and received several very good replies.

A young veteran by the name of Nick came by and we have talked a couple of times. Nick was a Diesel Mechanic in the Army and was recently discharged. He knows some stuff about bikes already and is willing to learn more. He and I are trying to work out an agreement to where he could operate the shop when I am not able to be there.

He will be there Monday the 23rd and will work most of the day with me to see how things work out and if we can come to an arrangement then he will be working there for sure during the training period and probably after that also. If your are in the area, stop by and meet Nick.

We will have to get a new phone specifically for the bike shop, I have been using my cell phone for it, but with Nick being there we will get a regular business phone that is specifically for the bike shop.  I called Windstream last week and got prices etc, will probably have that installed this week.

Monday Nick will learn how to replace a crank and cut and install a chain as well as adjust a rear derailleur . I will try to show him other stuff, but already know the bikes for both those projects are in the shop now. 

The job at Dish is 4 days on and 3 days off with the possibility of overtime on extra days. I plan to be available to help Nick with the shop and anything as much as possible. Right now the consensus is that I will probably be working Wednesday through Saturday as my 4 days during training. I do not know if that will carry through after I receive my van or not.


Bible Verse from Devotional

Psalm 102:18-28

New International Version (NIV)
18 Let this be written for a future generation,
    that a people not yet created may praise the Lord:
19 “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high,
    from heaven he viewed the earth,
20 to hear the groans of the prisoners
    and release those condemned to death.”
21 So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion
    and his praise in Jerusalem
22 when the peoples and the kingdoms
    assemble to worship the Lord.
23 In the course of my life[a] he broke my strength;
    he cut short my days.
24 So I said:
“Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days;
    your years go on through all generations.
25 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
    and they will be discarded.
27 But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.
28 The children of your servants will live in your presence;
    their descendants will be established before you.”

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 102:23 Or By his power



Thursday, June 12, 2014

Bike Shop News and More

June 12, 2014

Bible verse from devotional

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, 9 where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did. 10 For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways." 11 So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest."   

Bike shop and personal news:

Worked today from 8-5 at Home Depot in Moultrie. I worked as a Plumbing Associate which is where I have been most since I started there. I actually like the job and the work, most of the associates are very friendly and helpful and want to do their best. The manager Scott is a really nice man, was really sorry to hear he was off today sick.
 
I turned my resignation in and my last day there will be the 24th, we have to take Chris to see the Neurologist on the 25th and I decided to take a couple days off before staring my training at the new job.
 
I also want to make sure the bike shop is all in order before I leave. I am a little behind on my paperwork there and I want to make sure if I hire someone to run it while I am gone that they are also "trained" well enough.
 
If the right person comes along, I may even be willing to either hire them permanently or sell them the shop altogether. I have heard from numerous people but have not made any sort of decision as yet. I have 2 people that stand out so far, 1 male and 1 female. I am hoping to actually meet with a few of those that contacted me by phone at the shop tomorrow. 
 
Selling the shop is something that I really just thought about. With me working 4 days a week at 10 hours plus per day I have been thinking about many different things and that is just one of them. Just the month I will be training I will be working a lot of hours and will likely be too tired to really do a good job with the bike shop.
 
If I were able to sell the shop I would then be able to concentrate more on training for the Golden Olympics, and I could still do things like have bicycle repair clinics and get some more rides in.  I may even be willing to finance the sale for the right person. and with a reasonable down payment.
 
I had a customer come in yesterday that needed a tube and had seen my ad on the Internet, found us by doing a google search, at least that ad is pulling some business. If someone would buy the shop they would also get the benefit of that ad until October.
 
This Photo was taken a few weeks back in my front yard
 
 
 
This picture was taken about 2002 or 2003 in Tifton Georgia
 
 
These photos are from the Wiregrass Bike to Farm Tour Bicycle ride on June 7, 2014 in Tifton Georgia
 
 
 
This is a Chinese 80CC Gasoline Powered Bicycle Engine that I put on a bicycle.
 
 
This is a huge Cow that advertises the Dairy Queen on I-75 at Ashburn Geaorgia
 
 
This is part of the Bicycle Shop Showroom
 
 
Here are some bikes in the showroom
 
This is the race/repair trailer that I take to events
 
This is a really nice bike we have for sale at the shop, come check it out if you can.
 
 
 
Internet Marketing;
 
 
Yes I am still doing some Internet Marketing, which will now include having a complete sporting goods store on the Internet. It is not up and running yet, but I expect it will be before I head off to Marietta on the 30th of June. When I get it set up the readers of my blog will be the first to hear about it. If all works right there will be reviews of many of the products and those will be listed here as well.
 
One thing some of you may not know is that I have been listed as an "Expert" allexperts.com in cycling and Weightlifting & Exercise . I have been listed as an expert in both categories for many years and have maintained very high ratings. If you do need questions asked about these things, do not hesitate to ask.
 
Have a great day
 
Jerry "The Bicycle Nut" Goodwin
BMG Cycles Plus
1612 1st Ave. SE
Moultrie, GA 31768
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

New Job and some other thoughts

June 11, 2014

Bible Verse from Devotional,

12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; 13 you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? 17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 18 When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. 19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. 20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you-- one that brings on misery by its decrees? 21 They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. 23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.   

New Job;

Well I have a new job. I start training June 30, 2014. I will be driving to Marietta Georgia for the training and will be staying there for my first week of training. The second week I will be in the field with a certified trainer. The third week will be back in Marietta and the fourth week back in Valdosta which will then qualify me as an installer and I should then receive my van, tools and supplies to work my territory which I am told will be Omega Georgia.

Funny how that works. I originally applied for the Omega position as there was no Moultrie position being advertised. When the 1st lady from the company called she said that they had a position in Moultrie and was going to put me in for that if it was OK with me. I said sure and went through the entire process thinking I was being considered for Moultrie.. Yesterday another rep from the company called and said I was being offered the position in Omega. I am definitely OK with that.

We plan to head to Valdosta Sunday to pick up some new work boots. I have a good pair of Wolverine boots but they are Brown and black, the company says they only accept plain black boots. I can handle that too. The company will be supplying uniforms, PPE and equipment, tools, van etc. I guess I can get a pair of boots.

The training and the schedule of the new job is going to be hard on the bike shop as I am not going to be there much.  I have been trying to figure out how to keep it open while I train and even afterward. My schedule should be 4 days on 3 days off, but one of those 3 days I will have to go to the warehouse and load up for the next week, so that will mean really I only have 2 days off to work on bikes.  I have been thinking of "hiring" someone to run the bike shop while I am gone and possibly after I return, and have already heard from one person that is interested in this possibility.

I am searching for a person that enjoys cycling and likes bikes, is not afraid to get a little dirty. This person would also have to be good at dealing with people as he/she would be dealing directly with walk in customers. This person would also have to be willing to learn and operate the software I have recently purchased to run the website and would have to be willing to post to blogs, run ads, post to groups etc and make sure the software works correctly. He/she may have to place ads and do other stuff, basically they need to be me while I am gone. I will be available after my "training" shift by phone and will have to be consulted before they can make any major financial decisions for the business.

The pay is not much I will pay a per hour wage plus a commission of a portion of the profit, probably 50% of any actual profit made.  At this point the shop has never actually shown a profit, so it may turn out to be a 5.00 or less per hour job. That is actually more than I have ever made at the shop.  I have a person that is suppose to call me later this evening and if all works out I could possibly have her in to work with me a day or 2 next week or the week after, before I leave for Marietta.

I guess we will find out more tonight, if she calls.

Internet Marketing:

As you know I do some Network Marketing in addition to the bike shop and so far I am not really doing that well with the Network Marketing model. I am really considering doing just the bicycle shop with a website and forgetting all MLM/Network Marketing. I have had some minor success with one called Feeder Matrix and it only costs 6.75 to get started right.

If you get to Moultrie, do give me a buzz and if possible we can meet at the bike shop and talk bikes or whatever.

Hope you all have a great day

Jerry "The Bicycle Nut" Goodwin
1612 1st Ave. SE
Moultrie, GA 31768
229-921-0072















Sunday, June 8, 2014

Wiregrass Bike to Farm Ride

June 8, 2014

The Eternal Reign of the Lord

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. 2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. 3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea-- the LORD on high is mighty. 5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.   

Today is really the first day "off" I have had in a while, so you would think I would rest and enjoy it, right?  I went to the shop and moved some weight training equipment back to the house, helped Ruth clean out one of the big tents, burnt a lot of paper trash and did some other work around the house.

I have to work 8-5 Monday and Tuesday at my Part time job, I have Wednesday off there but already have a bike to upgrade on Wednesday. The bike shop is picking up a little as I had 4 repairs last week and a couple of small sales for things like pedals and chains.

I am still waiting to hear from a job I interviewed for about 2 weeks back which pays almost double what the part time job I have now.  The interview seemed to go quite well, and they asked me to take a Urine Drug Screen, which I did. The lady that took the drug screen said that the company would have the results in 48 hours.

I am hoping to hear from them sometime this week. The job would be working outside and working 10 hour days, 4 days a week. I would have to store a weeks worth of product here at the house, but that is not a major problem. Of course that is part of the reason we were cleaning out our storage areas and moving stuff around. We were trying to make more room for any product and tools I would need to store.

Unfortunately because I had to work Saturday so I missed the Wiregrass Bike to Farm Tour in Tifon. I really did want to go this year, but just could not make it. Bret Wagenhorst  helps put this educational bicycle ride together and it is always a great ride.


 
Maybe I will get to ride and learn more about the plants and special types of farming, while getting in a great bike ride.
 
Past Revisited:
 
A friend sent this picture of me over facebook today. I think it is from about 2002 or early 2003. I had picked up the National Guard Lanyard at the Southwest Expo in Moultrie a few months before this. It appears to have been taken in the Hematology Department at Tift Regional Medical Center.  My glasses have gotten much smaller since then and I have of course some more years on me I was probably 50 or 51 in the photo.  I guess time really does fly.
 



 
I had a very good interview for another Part Time Job on Friday and am waiting on what I expect to be good news from a full time position I interviewed for 2 weeks ago.
 
 
Internet Marketing:
 
There are a couple of Network Marketing programs that I am working with, and while I have my bicycle shop online I am planning on expanding the amount of online marketing for the bike shop. In fact I plan to set up an entire sports store online, not just a bicycle shop. I should have most of it ready in the next 2 weeks, and will post the links here and you will be able to buy not only bicycle supplies but also bicycles, sports shoes, sports clothing and much more.
 
If you are in need of a really inexpensive program ( 6.75) that can bring in a lot of money then PM me on facebook and I will send you a link to a great inexpensive program. Here is a link to the BMG Cycles Plus Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/BmcCyclesAndFitness go there, like the page and send me a PM, I will be happy to send you a link that will help you make money.
 
Have a great day
 
Jerry "The Bicycle Nut" Goodwin
BMG Cycles Plus
1612 1st Ave. SE
Moultrie, GA 31768