Help me please.

[mickle]

This is a big ask, but I'm going to go ahead and ask, because I'm about to reach a financial buffer.

Since I left the previous lot I've been working on this: www.disabilitybikes.co.uk - because I want to continue doing what I'm good at, which is putting people with disabilities on bikes. I've already proved I can build a successful disability retail operation because I've already done this very thing for someone else over the last six years - but I want to do it better. I have an agreement with one supplier in the bag and am in discussion with several more - who have all made very positive noises in response to my request to become a dealer for their products.

If the worst comes to the worst I'll go back to plumbing. Which I hate, which am terribly out of practice at and that in itself would need a lot of input to turn it into a viable business.

Having worked in bicycle retail and for a Community Interest Company on sh!t wages for all my adult life I don't have any savings to carry me over. So I need some seed money to keep us afloat until my cashflow improves, and rather than ask one or a few folks for big sums I'd prefer to ask a lot of people for small amounts.

I have a donate button here: www.disabilitybikes.co.uk/payments

What I'm offering is an opportunity to help get my company off the ground - whose primary aim is to get people cycling. I don't want to make a fortune off it, I might even convert it into a CIC or a Workers Coop once it's rolling. You'd be a sponsor/investor/donator (donor?) If you want the money back I'll make every effort to repay you. At some point..

You're my dragons. Any questions?

 

[Speicher]

Are the investments on a "nil interest rate" basis?

 

[srw]

Any questions?

How much do you need?

 

[Levo-Lon]

Can you get a community funding grant or similar to help as it's a charity business ,or help from a mobile aid organisation?

Just thinking out loud so sorry if this is a none starter

 

[mickle]

Are the investments on a "nil interest rate" basis?

Between nil and something modest ...

 

[Dave 123]

Would GBCycling or Cycling UK be able to give you some help?

 

[mickle]

How much do you need?

So I'm starting with nowt, no premises and no stock. Only my expertise and the website. I can sell certain bikes, fully assembled, straight from my suppliers - without ever seeing the bike, and sometimes without meeting the client. Other bikes, at least initially, I'll sell on a commission only basis, as an agent rather than a reseller. Smaller margins but less risk. I'm confident I can build it from here, but it'll be a slow process.

With £5k, £10k, £20k I can acquire a fleet of demonstrators, which are essential sales tools if I'm to sell into SEN schools, local authority disability cycling schemes. That's where I want to be placed, and that's where the big turnover is. I've got cheap premises lined up, I don't need to be on the High Street, and I'll rent a van when I need one.

So, to answer your question: I need £1600 per month to keep us afloat. Anything over this will be invested into demo bikes, stock of parts and accessories etc.

 

[mickle]

Do you have a business plan?

Working on it..

 

[mickle]

Would GBCycling or Cycling UK be able to give you some help?

I might be able to sell them something.

 

[Sharky]

Will you be setting up as a charity?

 

[DCLane]

Will you be setting up as a charity?

A social enterprise would probably be more appropriate in this case, which is charitable in essence but would permit access to the LA elements.

 

[Andrew_P]

Do the companies not offer Demo bikes that you could use and then approach the schools? Even if they only hired then out?

 

[mickle]

Will you be setting up as a charity?

No. But I do have ambitions to convert to a Workers Cooperative one day. When there's more than just me...

 

[mickle]

Do the companies not offer Demo bikes that you could use and then approach the schools? Even if they only hired then out?

They very often sell demo bikes at a discount. There are a few models for which I'll be an agent rather than the seller, and these I can borrow. The logistics is a massive PiTA tho.

 

[Speicher]

Between nil and something modest ...

I would be expecting it to be nil, anything more would be. in my opinion, a bonus.