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| Missouri Small Business
Development Centers ... your success is our business |
Saturday, May 17, 2008
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Entrepreneur Archive:
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| 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 three years ago in their hometown of Mexico, Mo. | ||
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.
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.
| (Top, left): Shayne Belshe grabs the next two-wheeled patient in line for servicing at the Brick City shop. (Top, right): Richie Nowlin installs oil lines on a bike the Brick City trio has lovingly custom built. |
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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.
| Chris Azdell installs vent lines on a Buell motorcycle. The three partners attribute much of their success to the business counseling they received from Virgil Woolridge, Audrain County-based MU Extension business development specialist. |
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."
Chris Azdell, Shayne Belshe and Richie Nowlin
Brick City Custom Works
512 N. Jefferson Street
Mexico, Mo. 65265
Phone: 573-581-2936
This story was featured in the July 2007 newsletter
Featured Entrepreneurs and Client Showcase Archive
Manufacturer
- Able Products of Joplin - furniture manufacturer
- Billy Goat Industries of Lee's Summit - manufacturer of outdoor power equipment
- Dynamic Industrial Services of St. Joseph - rebuilder of electric motors
- Eyes of the World of Rolla - manufacturer of high-quality intraocular lenses for humans and animals
- Eygon Enterprises of Lee's Summit - manufacturer of a special tool for truckers
- Feather Light Lamp Manufacturing of Kennett - maker of high-quality lighting
- H2OVER Beverage Company of Columbia - canned drinking water distributor
- ISW Group, Inc., of St. Louis - manufacturer of a skin-care product for African Americans suffering with dermatological problems
- Mo-Sci Corporation of Rolla - specialized glass manufacturer
- The Newberry Group of St. Louis - developer of computer security systems
- Paper Petals of Fenton - printing and custom design of note cards and invitations
- Patric Chocolate of Columbia - gourmet chocolate maker
- Pogue Label and Screen of St. Louis - a specialist in printing labels on plastic containers
- Premier Foods of Milan - poultry processing plant
- Renewable Alternatives of Columbia - specializing in the engineering of phase change materials to ensure consistent temperatures
- sComm, Inc., of Kansas City - developer of devices to assist the deaf and hearing impaired
- Sigma Aldrich of St. Louis - chemical manufacturer
- TechGuard Security of Chesterfield - provider of information network security products
- ValRich Foods of Jefferson City - produces and distributes La Casita salsas
- X-Com, Inc. of Warrensburg, - produces digital communications hardware and software for the Navy and other commercial applications and products
Professional, Scientific and Technical Service
- Aegis Business Solutions LLC of Kansas City -
offers solutions to business problems in information technology- Big Vision Design, LLC of Platte Woods - web site designer/developer
- Brick City Custom Works of Mexico - custom motorcycle repair and service shop
- Flexible Staffing of Chillicothe - provider of temporary workers
- Fundraiser Software of West Plains - a developer of donor management computer programs
- Gaskin, Hill, Norcross of Springfield - developer of a text messaging system
- Global Solutions Group of Fenton - network solutions, IT telephone and systems management firm
- H2O Technical Services, Inc., of Springfield, a provider of integrated water treatment services and applications
- Lee Marketing Group of Joplin - marketing firm
- Logistical Resource Solutions of St. Louis - storage and inventory control
- Lytmos Group LLC of Lee's Summit - provides peer review and grants management support to organizations that sponsor high technology R&D
- Mail Boxes Etc of Leawood, KS - mailing/shipping services franchise
- Mobile Media Technologies, LLC of Kansas Ciy - wireless communications
- Moresource, Inc. of Columbia - professional employer organization
- NEMS/MEMS Works LLC of Columbia - engineering researchers developing early-stage prototypes of nanotechnology delivery devices to target drug
applications in patients with life-threatening conditions
- OsteoGeneX of Kansas City - drug research and biotech commercialization
- Paragon Business Solutions of Nixa - consulting firm specializing in building performance driven business systems
- Paternity Testing Corporation of Columbia - forensic investigations, DNA profiling and parental identification
- P/Strada, LLC, of Kansas City - a consultant in bio-terrorism and homeland security
- Technology and Networking of Cape Girardeau - computer technology and telecommunications sales and services
- The Vacation Channel of Branson - independent TV station providing tourism info
- Westinn Kennels of St. Charles - canine boarding and training facility
- Wren Associates, Ltd. of Jefferson City - provider of retail fraud detection systems
Starred clients were a part of the 2008 Client Showcase [more]
Starred clients were a part of the 2006 Client Showcase [more]
Starred clients were a part of the 2005 Client Showcase [more]
Accommodation & Food Services
- Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch of Ava - working guest ranch
- Custard Caravan of Eureka - mobile frozen custard parlor
- Gatherings Cafe of Cape Girardeau - restaurant, bakery and catering establishment
- Nature's Window of Gladstone - catering
- Uncle D's Sports Bar and Grill of St. Joseph - dining establishment
Retail Trade
- Arvin's Appliance and Furniture of Wellston - furniture and appliance store
- Crafter's Cabin of Kirksville - craft supply store
- Digital Technology and Surveillance of Nixa - security systems for schools and businesses
- Furniture Gourmet of Springfield - internet-based retailer of decorative home accessories
- Great Expectations of Joplin - Christian bookstore
- Gray's Jewelry and Gifts of Maryville - jewelry repair and sales
- The Herb Shop of Branson West - nutritional and supplement store
- Hensley Technologies, Inc. of Kansas City - supplying government agencies with high-tech electronic equipment
- The Home Center of Clinton - lumber, hardware and home improvement store
- Just For You of Joplin - store offering wigs and mastectomy products
- Lee J. of St. Louis - fine men and women's clothing
- Pricemonk.com of Festus - online textbook sales
- Scootermania of Kirksville - motor scooter sales
- Specialty Merchandise Sales of Branson - importer/seller of women's fashion costume jewelry
- Warrensburg Hydraulics of Warrensburg - sales and service for construction, agricultural and industrial equipment
Educational Services
- Columbia's Finest Child Development Center of Columbia - day care center
- Developmental Depot of Joplin - offering child care services during nontraditional hours
- Kim's Kids of St. Louis - day care/learning centers
- OCCU-TEC, Inc., of Kansas City - firm specializing in safety and environmental training
Health & Social Services
- BENE-FIT Health and Fitness of Kansas City - fitness and health center
- Forum Home Health of St. Louis - in-home health care services
- Grace Weekend Clinic of Chillicothe - health clinic
- KC Clippers Styling Salon of Kimberling City - salon
- Luminomics of St. Louis - firm developing regenerative treatments for neurological diseases
- Miller Family Hairstyling of St. Joseph - salon
- Optimal Lifestyles - of St. Louis - health/fitness consulting company
- My Zoo Animal Hospital of Columbia - veterinarian
Construction
- Anderson Backhoe of Riverside - plumbing and site utility contractor
- BRK Electric of St. Louis - an electrical contractor
- DGR Associates of Belton - supplier of facility and housing maintenance
- Shaffer's Substation of Ellsinore - electrical substation construction business
Agriculture
- Oswald Ag of Tarkio - custom agricultural spraying service
Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur
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