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ASK Kathryn about REAL CASES: PEDEGO Electric Bike Shop

REAL LIFE CASES; PEDEGO ELECTRIC BIKE SHOP

THE CALL: Ann MacLennan (her real name) called me for a specific reason: She had decided her next chapter in life was to be a Retail Store Owner. Ann procured a Dealership Agreement with PEDEGO Electric Bikes, found a location in Vancouver, did the research for her specialty project and now needed my help to open shop. She had guidelines and a logo from the Head Office; yet unsure of colour schemes, traffic flow and how this store to launch successfully. Could I bring feng shui into this business?

~ Absolutely! This is right up with my experience of opening stores and moving businesses! Let’s get started!

THE REALITY:

Ann had already signed a lease and employed a drywall and painter for the store. When I arrived at the site, Ann and her business partner Colin had mapped out areas for the cash register and displays for bikes and accessories. How can they market this store right at the bus stop? Which colours to choose for buyers and flow? And, what else do they need to do for success?

 THE DETECTIVE WORK:

I narrowed it down to a few things:

1. A tight partnership is critical in a start-up. Ann and Colin had been friends for years and now changing their relationship to ‘business partners’.

~ The odd shape of the narrow store made this critical, as the relationship/partnership area was non-existent. (The was a piece missing from the unit, carved out for an outside stairwell) I recommended they have a picture of the two of them ‘in good times’ framed near this area to remember their commitment when times get tough.

NOTE: I’ve seen this before. As ‘quaint’ as this may seem, ‘missing areas’ can become serious when the-chips-are-down. I’ve seen squabbles over silly things and couples ending in divorce. Recognizing a weakness in your structure, such as ‘Partnerships’, unveils an opportunity to strengthen this before any storms arrive.

2. Curb Appeal to get people into the store. There are always people standing at the bus stop in front of the busy intersection, but how do they get this opportunity to work for them?

~ Since the store entrance is right at a bus stop, it is not wise to put bikes on display outside the store; they could be knocked over, or worse. Utilizing the storefront window to relay cheery messages, and using lots of colour and moving objects (windsocks or chimes) can draw attention for anyone driving by or waiting for a bus. We discussed several possibilities using rainbow colours, addressing any rain issues and elevating the value of purchasing an electric bike.

NOTE: Curl appeal is important for your residence as well as business. Even if your business is not retail, energetically, you need to let people notice you and cultivate communication that you are open for business.

3. Colours can set a tone, or mood, to the buying experience.~ As the storefront was facing north, we chose a lovely buttermilk colour for the interior walls: sunshine all the time. This soft-yellow tone complimented well with the cobalt blue and bright orange logo from PEDEGO. We chose a soft green for the washroom.

4. Function and flow is important, not only for sales, but for security. Having high-end merchandise can become a target for some businesses. How to manage sales, and test drives, and eventually a rental program?

~ We walked through the buying process and decided that if any customer wanted to test-drive a bike, they had to walk through the back door out to the parking lot. Having confirmed that, much of the sales traffic would be directed through their private area, assembly area and washroom. More security measures were discussed regarding locking up tools and personal items. Not to put a damper on things, but it is important to look at the big picture and reality.

THE RESULTS

As exciting as this project was, I could tell that Ann needed a concrete walk through; the first thing we did was talk about the dream –the end result!

Ann and Colin decided on an Opening Celebration for May 26, 2018. I’ve attached some of the celebratory pictures. They sold several bikes the first week!

The opening event had had all kinds of volunteers and guests to bring great energy to the event, a spot on a local radio station and of course, a few happy customers talking up the value they’ve received from owning and riding an electric bike!

OTHER NOTES:

Ann and Colin have plans to include maps, bike route suggestions, as well as provide quality accessories and services for your bike. Bike rentals are planned to launch later in the year.

If you wish to visit Ann and Colin at PEDEGO in Vancouver, they are located at the near corner of 4^th Ave West and MacDonald. Pop in for a test drive and see how FUN and EASY it is to ride an Electric Bike.

XXX 4^th Avenue West, Vancouver

When Asked about their ‘feng shui experience’:

Kathryn Wilking can give you Practical Solutions to Change Your Luck!

** Kathryn Wilking is an Author, Home Stager and a Feng Shui Consultant. She delivers ‘practical solutions to life’s problems’. Are you thinking of a personal consultation? Or, perhaps you know of a group or associate that would enjoy a lively talk or workshop?

As an active Professional Member of the International Feng Shui Guild, Kathryn is available for private consultations, talks and workshops. Check out her book ‘Practical Feng Shui for the Office’ and connect with her through kathrynwilking.com

Kathryn has a gentle way of manipulating energy to help find balance and flow in each situation. You can trust her with your concerns. Contact her for an Inquiry Chat to find out how feng shui can help you:

kathryn@kathrynwilking.com  https://www.kathrynwilking.com 

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About Kathryn Wilking

Author, Home Stager, Feng Shui Consultant

Kathryn has inspired women for more than a decade to take charge of their lives; arranging their environment, home and office, to support a positive, prosperous lifestyle. She provides informative tips and talks to organizations and small groups through her Facebook Group and Blog Posts and recorded podcasts. Contact her today for more info about bringing the practical application of Feng Shui into your space.

Her book, Practical Feng Shui for the Office; never goes out of style!
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