12 JANUARY 15, 2001
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Peddling into the Future Market on the Superhighway
By Justin Phillips
The Internet just got a little more useful to all you bicyclists out
there. A new website by a Grand Ronde Tribal member is about to
change the way you ride and the way you shop. If you are a cycling
enthusiast, add this site to your bookmarks.
Tribal member Danny Pinneo says it's time to put the video game
down, turn off the television, get off the couch and ride.
According to Pinneo, the components for bicycles that he and his
wife Tanya make are stronger and made to withstand anything; even
force three hurricanes tearing through Miami are of no comparison.
Their company, World Cycle Supply is located in Salem.
The company's retail Internet site www.thebicyclehub.net offers
custom, hand-built bicycle wheels, hubs, rims, cranks and more.
World Cycle Supply distributes Caramba wheels and components,
in addition to other related bicycle products, which are manufac
tured and imported by Caramba Cycles.
,The couple recently bought the Caramba Components company,
which has now changed their name to World Cycle Imports. The
company manufactures crank sets, hubs and other high-end com- ,
ponents for bicycles.
Caramba Components has been associated with high quality bi
cycle products in the American cycling industry for almost 1 5 years.
The Pinneo's have been in business now for about a year-and-a-half
. The couple has been in the bicycle industry for a combined 30
years. Danny has raced BMX and mountain bikes through out his life.
The Pinneo's have a tandem bike that is made out of a 1 934 Shelby
and was welded together around 1 950.
'The bike has rear steering because back then it was impolite for
the man to ride in front of the woman," said Tanya.
All together, the Pinneo's have about a dozen bicycles in their
personal collection.
"We started a home-based business because of our 2 year-old
son Niko," said Tanya. "We wanted to stay home and be with him
more, so we started selling over the Internet. We then found Caramba
Components for sale and decided to buy it."
When starting the business, the Pinneo's now wish they had taken
a little more time with the organizational structure.
"My biggest piece of advice to someone starting out would be to
use an accountant and have an attorney there for advice," said Tanya.
" Making their own hours and taking a vacation whenever they want
are just some of the rewards the Pinneo's enjoy from owning their
own business.
"It's hard work though, because if you are the only ones working,
then there is no one else to cover for you," said Tanya. "It's difficult
but it's worth it. You don't have to take orders from anybody else."
The Pinneo's like running their own business because they can de
cide where their company is going and how they are going to get there.
"If you have really good ideas, it's fun to see what comes of it,"
said Tanya. "It's been a really good year for us, we are expanding
our business and learning as we go."
The Pinneo's peak season begins in the spring and continues
through the summer.
Their short-term goals are to expand World Cycle Imports for more
production.
"We want to really focus on World Cycle Imports and put more
capital in it," said Tanya. "Our main goal is to redesign some of the
components that Caramba Components has made and update them
into the 21st century. ..... -'-.".'
"We are a very specialized aspect of the industry, a very high-end,"
saidTanya. 'There is either bike junkies orthe casual rider that doesn't
realize what expensive high-end components can do to their bicycle."
The Pinneo's are big on the barter system.
"We really like to swap or trade with people," said Tanya.
The Pinneo's said that the resources offered by the Tribe's Small
Business Development program have helped more than they realized.
The couple first contacted the Small Business program one year ago.
So, anyone looking for high-end components for their bicycles,
you now have the information. You have the name. For those of you
that haven't visited their website already and are still reading this
article, better start warming up that Pentium III processor.
www.thebicyclehub.net
E-mail: salosthcbicyclchub.nct
Business Basics Workshop Series
D Exploring Business Ownership......................... Wed., February 21
Explore trends in business entrepreneurship and the feasibility of your
own ideas.
D The Artists in Business ........................................ Wed., February 28
Discuss assessing value to your art and promoting yourself and your art
effectively.
D Better Business through Better Communication
Wed., March 7
Discussions on the role of communication and the importance of under
standing how it impacts you and your business.
D Setting Yourself Apart, Creative Marketing Plans
Wed., March 14
Identify different marketing methods and discuss which ones would ben
efit your business the most.
D Choosing Your Business Structure Wed., March 21
Discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of types of business
structures and the importance of understanding how it will impact you
and your business.
This series of teleconference classes are hosted by the Portland State
University's Urban Center. They are offered at Grand Ronde, Siletz and
Umatilla from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. on the evening indicated above.
For more information and to register contact Perri McDaniel at the Grand
Ronde Small Business Development Center at 503-879-2487 or 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2487; or Kristi Kelso at ONABEN at 503-986-1500.
Small Business Development and ONABEN presents:
Interested in starting your own business?
Need help?
Oregon Native American Business and Entrepreneur Network is here
to help. Sign up for ONABEN's Starting a Successful Business class.
This class is open to non-Native Americans as well as Native Americans.
D Participants have the opportunity to talk with a variety of experts:
Attorneys
Licensed Bookkeepers
Marketing Specialists
Financial Resource Professionals
Call now to register for the next class!
D Classes start on Wednesday, February 28 and are every Wednesday through
May 16 at the Grand Ronde Small Business Development office.
TO REGISTER: Sheila Herber at 503-879-2492
Barbara Lake at 503-879-2476
Toll-free at 1-800-422-0232