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market for cycling in South Africa


Shane Bob

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Hi guys

I'm in matric now and I need to figure out what the hell I'm going to do next year. I'm not 100% sure if varsity is for me. So I'm quite keen on working for my first year out of school at a cycle shop to gain some experience in the running of a cycle shop and then go and do some sort of a course in business management and open up a cycling shop some time within 5-7 years. But I'm worried about the market for cycling in south Africa.. Any tips for me hubbers? PLEASE!! P L E A S E ! !

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Rather first get an education to fall back on. That is the right way around to do it. Work at a bike shop part time while studying.

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in the wise words of Run DMC (dont stress you are too young to know them) - Sorry a bit long, but true.

 

Unemployment at a record highs

People coming, people going, people born to die

Don't ask me, because I don't know why

But it's like that, and that's the way it is

 

 

People in the world tryin to make ends meet

You try to ride car, train, bus, or feet

I said you got to work hard, you want to compete

It's like that, and that's the way it is

Huh!

 

Money is the key to end all your woes

Your ups, your downs, your highs and your lows

Won't you tell me the last time that love bought you clothes?

It's like that, and that's the way it is

 

Bills rise higher every day

We receive much lower pay

I'd rather stay young, go out and play

It's like that, and that's the way it is

Huh!

 

Wars going on across the sea

Street soldiers killing the elderly

Whatever happened to unity?

It's like that, and that's the way it is

 

Disillusion is the word

That's used by me when I'm not heard

I just go through life with my glasses blurred

It's like that, and that's the way it is

Huh!

 

You can see a lot in this lifespan

Like a bum eating out of a garbage can

You noticed one time he was your man

It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is

 

You should have gone to school, you could've learned a trade

But you laid in the bed where the bums have laid

Now all the time you're crying that you're underpaid

It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is

You know it's like that and that's the way it is

Because it's like that and that's the way it is

 

 

Check this out

Run Dmc and Jam master Jay Run!

Run Dmc and Jam master Jay

Check this out

 

One thing I know is that life is short

So listen up homeboy, give this a thought

The next time someone's teaching why don't you get taught?

It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is

 

If you really think about it times aren't that bad

The one that flexes with successes will make you glad

Stop playing start praying, you won't be sad

It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is

Huh!

 

When you feel you fail sometimes it hurts

For a meaning in life is why you search

Take the bus or the train, drive to school or the church

It's like that, and that's the way it is

 

Here's another point in life you should not miss

Do not be a fool who's prejudiced

Because we're all written down on the same list

It's like that (what?) and that's the way it is

Huh!

 

You know it's like that, and that's the way it is

Because it's like that, and that's the way it is

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Go study dude.

You can work at a LBS and study at the same time

+ 1mil!!!

Get that piece of paper and from there on you can do whatever. Many people will tell you different but in SA that is the reality

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I like the entrepreneurial spirit, we need more like you, small business's creating jobs. I say go for it, you are still young and can afford to make some mistakes (& you will)................but I also agree with the studying (which you already said you want to do anyway). Good luck and all the best, as I do think the market is big enough in SA for a few more good bike shops.

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My brother squandered his chances to study. Now he drifts from job to job, almost 35 with no savings or pension whatsoever. He can still go study if he had the drive but he chooses to not to.

 

So if he had to come to me one day in his old age without a cent to his name, and no-one wants to employ him anymore, then I might also choose to not help him, as he chose to not help himself...

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At risk of sounding like a cynical old fart, I think once you have some business knowledge you might find easier ways to make money. IMHO running a bike shop is something you do for the love of it. not the first thing I'll think about when I want to make money. However there are guys making good cash off this Industry. Don’t question their integrity though..

 

On the flipside, you sound like you have a better Idea where you want to go at the ripe age of matric than what I did, so go for it.

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at the end of the day, and we will all admit it - you need to be happy doing what you do. Dont aim for the millions, but hate every second of the day.

 

Find a balance between loving what you do, and what you get out of it.

Don't be a "prostitute".

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at the end of the day, and we will all admit it - you need to be happy doing what you do. Dont aim for the millions, but hate every second of the day.

 

Find a balance between loving what you do, and what you get out of it.

Don't be a "prostitute".

like most of us

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Go study dude.

You can work at a LBS and study at the same time

 

+1 , most of us in the cycling world did this .Its what i did ( thanks Dad )

 

and now i have a small cycle repair bussiness and a fulltime corporate job .

 

Best of both worlds .

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