Success Story
Three Mexico, Mo., motorcycle enthusiasts team up to transform their avocation into serious business
Motorcycles are in the blood of Chris Azdell, Richie Nowlin and Shayne Belshe. And they know from experience that when something is in their blood, they've just got to run with it.
That's what led them to start their own custom motorcycle repair and service shop – Brick City Custom Works – in 2004, in Mexico, Mo.
"My partners and I decided many years ago that we wanted to expand our knowledge of our own bikes and eventually do our own repairs and maintenance," says Azdell. "After years of riding, and wanting a new career, we decided to pack up shop in late 2000 and move to Phoenix, Ariz."
There they enrolled in the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, the only mechanics school endorsed by the Harley-Davidson Motor Co., the iconic Milwaukee-based motorcycle producer. All three specialized in Harley-Davidson service, repair and performance for early model, late model, V-rod and Buell motorcycles.
Chris Azdell (left), Shayne Belshe (center) and Richie Nowlin were good friends and fellow motorcycle enthusiasts long before they entered the business world by starting Brick City Custom Works in their hometown of Mexico, Mo.
In early 2002, the trio returned to Mid-Missouri, where the new owners of the Mid-America Harley-Davidson dealership in Columbia hired them as repair technicians. By late summer Azdell took over as service manager, Belshe became assistant manager and Nowlin served as an A-technician.
During the next couple of years all three motorcycle aficionados gained a wealth of experience in motorcycle repair and service. They also developed an itch to team up and start their own motorcycle service shop.
Three years later they decided to seriously pursue the idea of starting their own company, but they needed some guidance. Pat Nowlin, the adult education director at the Thomas H. Hart Vocational School in Mexico, Mo., suggested they contact Virgil Woolridge, University of Missouri Extension business development specialist in Audrain County.
Woolridge indoctrinated the would-be entrepreneurs about challenges of business ownership. He counseled them on how to start a business, emphasizing the information found in the Business Start-Up Kit (www.missouribusiness.net/smallbiz) available from the Missouri Small Business Development Center, which is part of MU Extension's business development program.
"This business venture, as with all business start-ups, was inherently risky because the business owners were giving up existing jobs with benefits to start the business," Woolridge recalls.
He counseled them about the various forms of business ownership and on break-even analysis to ensure their business idea was viable. Woolridge also gave them the information necessary to legally start a business in Audrain County.
Their biggest challenge was dealing with a lack of start-up money, according to Woolridge: "They were able to somewhat overcome this by pooling their resources and creating sweat-equity in their business."
While operating a business for the past three years, the Brick City boys have maintained an optimistic outlook. They believe they've gained a wealth of knowledge about small business survival.
"We strive every day to please our customers," says Azdell. "The smiles on people's faces when they pick up their bikes are worth every bit of hardship we face to keep the doors open."
"We also believe we help keep the public's motorcycles in top condition to help them save money on gas, as well as reducing emissions on Mother Earth. We feel we help economically and environmentally."
Your local Small Business Development Center can help with your business success. Appointments may be made for free consultations on small business issues by contacting the SBDC office near you.
This complete article with more photos is archived at www.missouribusiness.net/success/brick_city.asp.
Business Going Green
Small business owners willing to pay more for green products
Latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey - small business owners are environmentally savvy, want to help reduce greenhouse effects
It may be more expensive "being green" but small business owners are willing to go the extra mile, even if it costs more, to show their customers they care about the environment. The latest survey results from the Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index reveal that two-thirds of small business owners surveyed say they would be willing to pay more for goods and services to run their businesses if they knew they were environmentally-friendly.
"Environmental actions I take today with my business will help ensure that our company can continue to grow and thrive in the future," said Harlan Lee, president and CEO of Virginia-based Harlan Lee & Associates - a consulting company specializing in socially conscious, "green conferencing" techniques. "Combining business practices with a responsibility for the environment is the right thing to do. If every small business owner could share best practices and take simple steps to incorporate environmental activities, together, we could make a very large impact on the success of our businesses, our customers, and ultimately our environment."
Even though a large number of small business owners say they're willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly goods and services, many have concerns that their customers may be reluctant to share the added costs. Fewer than half (43 percent) of all small business owners surveyed believe their customers would be willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly goods and services, while one in every two (49 percent) did not think their customers would be willing to pay more.
Small business owners were also asked whether they favored or opposed specific environmental proposals. Seventy-eight percent favored spending government money to develop alternate sources of fuel for automobiles. Other favored proposals include spending more government money on developing solar and wind power (76 percent) and setting higher emissions and pollution standards for business and industry (75 percent).
"Forty-seven percent of small business owners surveyed said they are already taking steps to show customers they are environmentally-friendly," said Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann, executive vice president and head of Wells Fargo's small business segment. "It's encouraging to see this vital segment of the economy weave the environment into their everyday business practices."
SBA: Helping the Military Community with Business
New Patriot Express Loan initiative
The Small Business Administration is offering a new lending program to help entrepreneurially oriented members of the military community start their own businesses. The Patriot Express Loan allows SBA's network of participating lenders nationwide to loan up to $500,000 with a maximum guaranty of up to 85 percent. This loan features SBA's fastest turnaround time for loan approvals and lowest interest rates for business loans … generally 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan.
The Patriot Express Loan can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real estate purchases.
For more information, see the news release at www.missouribusiness.net/news/patriot_loan_061307.asp
IRS Roundup
Independent contractor or employee … what's the difference?
Small business employers who misclassify workers as "independent contractors" when they are actually employees cost the government billions in federal tax revenues, according to the Internal Revenue Service. This misclassification also deprives people from key protection and benefits, such as unemployment insurance, retirement and health benefits and credits for Social Security.
The IRS is expected to take a harder line on businesses claiming workers as independent contractors by soliciting leads from workers who can file forms if they feel they are being misclassified. Congress is taking notice and the Department of Labor is exploring measures to better share information with the IRS to help recognize suspicious employers.
To avoid large fines, back taxes and interest, it is more important than ever for businesses to carefully evaluate worker status to determine proper classification. Two articles to help determine worker classification are:
Employee or Independent Contractor: 20 Tests and
Employee or Independent Contractor (What is the Difference?)
New or growing Missouri businesses considering hiring help can learn more about the requirements by exploring Doing Business in Missouri … Hiring Employees
.
At Your Service
Profile: Missouri Film Office
Part Two: A Q&A with the Missouri Film Office staff … get ready for your close-up!
Last month, we profiled the Missouri Film Office and learned what it does. (In a nutshell, the office lures film productions to Missouri). Here we feature how your business can get involved with film in Missouri and enjoy its economic benefits: "So (your business) wants to be in pictures?"
Q. What's the first step to learn about opportunities?
A. The Missouri Film Office was created in 1983, as a part of the Jefferson City-based Missouri Film Commission. Each state has a film commission and there are 300 worldwide. Each has a similar mission - to bring film, television, cable and video productions to its geographic area. Our goal is to bring films to Missouri to promote local economic development.
Q. What does the Film Office do?
A. Sign up for our newsletter. (See www.missouribusiness.net/film/wrapup.asp) It posts needs for companies and individuals. It also includes requests from filmmakers seeking specific locations to film.
Q. What's the production guide database?
A. The database is a part of our Web site where filmmakers can find local businesses and services to hire to meet their needs while filming in Missouri. For instance, if someone is filming a movie in Branson, a filmmaker can search the directory for catering companies in Branson to hire for on-set food needs. (See www.missouribusiness.net/film/production_guide.asp.)
Q. What types of services do filmmakers need?
A. Filmmakers need to hire all types of businesses, from food service and technology, to special-effect producers and make-up artists. Needs are broad and there are many opportunities for local businesses to get involved.
Q. How do I add my business to the directory?
A. Visit www.missouribusiness.net/film/selfregform.asp and follow the directions to complete our self-registration form.
Q. Where else can I learn about opportunities to work with film?
A. In addition to opportunities listed in the Weekly Wrap-Up, the film office "hotline" often lists upcoming films' needs, such as casting calls for extras and auditions for small parts. Visit the hotline on our Web site at: www.missouribusiness.net/film/hotline.asp
Q. There is a section on your Web site about financial incentives. Can you explain how that works?
A. Missouri might be well on its way to becoming the new L.A. When a film is made in Missouri, filmmakers can apply for a tax credit. The Missouri legislature currently provides $1.5 million each year to the Missouri Film Commission. We can then offer worthy films the tax credits as incentive to come to Missouri. (When a film is made in Missouri, it boosts the economy which is why the legislature is willing to offer these incentives.)
Tax credits are usually given to filmmakers who are serious, have funding and are prepared to begin shooting in Missouri. These tax credits are extremely valuable. As an example, suppose the film office gives a $500,000 Missouri tax credit, but the filmmaker lives in L.A., thus not filing taxes in Missouri. The filmmaker can sell this tax credit to a broker, receiving anywhere between 82 and 90 cents on the dollar for it. This can greatly help offset costs to make the film.
During its last regular session, the Missouri legislature passed a bill (HB 327) that proposes to raise the annual $1.5 million cap for available tax credits to $10 million. If the governor approves the bill, this will greatly help the film office in the capability of recruiting more films to shoot in Missouri as nearly ten times the amount of tax credits will be accessible.
The Missouri Film Office is located on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Contact Jerry or Andrea at mofilm@missouri.edu or phone 573/882-1046. Visit their Web site at www.mofilm.org for more information.
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