Many years ago, I had a dream that seemed to me so impossible.
Why it seemed impossible is not what I had thought, but what had been all around me.
You see, many of my friends, well at the time, told me after I told them I was starting a business , that I would only fail.Not ll of them, but enough to make me doubt myself.
That, my friends, was more than 10 years ago.
Now , while I may not be perfect,I know that I do lack secretarial skills, 10 years is a long time to keep anything going,even a "normal" job.
But, after so many years of people doubting me, my skills, or even my business tactics,I have only one thing to declare : "I'm still here."
While that is only four little words, they mean so much. When I say " I'm still here", it transcends the actual words.It trumps so many things that have been an obstacle in my career.And, there have been many:
supplier shortages, paint delays,shipping damage,communication breakdowns,illness, loss of friends, ( yes I have lost friends over my start up) loss of relationships ,( yes like my girlfriend kinda stuff, mostly told because I don't make enough money) , loss of health, missing out on family and friend events, days off, a normal credit score,taxes, insurance, legal things, locations, setting up shops, venting, rent,fights with the bank, signs,blogs, Facebook accounts, oh boy!,deaths in the family, Hugs to you Quentin!!, exhaustion, depression, letting others down, moving, technically three times, and you find out how many friends you do have when you move!!, forums ripping my work apart,and me personally,getting threatening emails of my"work", misunderstandings,being told I don't build frames,that I am a hack, being an outsider in my own industry,illness ( twice I know ), loss of the "real" job, no health or dental insurance, self doubt,bank changes,office flooding,ideas stolen, never any capital to grow, time loss, so many things, and they can seem so negative.
I never said the trip was pretty, or that I did everything right.
But that's not all true. When I look back on all of these things, it does make me and Peacock Groove stronger.It makes the juice worth the squeeze.
And squeeze we have been doing.Despite all the doubt and the tribulations, I and Peacock Groove have marched on, even if we have stumbled a little bit.The people I would love to thank , that have been here for me, and have been of the very few who have stood by me, helped me so much, I need to thank them here: thank you Pops so much, so so much, and to a truly wonderful friend, Mr. Vincent Dominguez, a thousand thank yous ...With your support it has made what the dark days have tried to take away from me. And Vince, who ever thought we would get along!?!?
Along the way I have seen needs in the community that just were not being met or served.I have always said that when I "get there" I would love to help or sponsor some of the cool things I like. While we are not "there" yet, we are still giving back.
Like BABES in BIKELAND. P G has given away a frame to that race for the last five years!! Elise came in the other day, and it was awesome to see her so excited! While we there is still one lady who has to come get sized for her prize, come on Amy!!, this last five years of this has been ,well quite a monetary give away.Why?
I have been in the bike scene world thingy here in the cities for over 20 years, and I always thought women just got the leftovers so I said hey lets give them ladies something to race for. And they do!! Now when you look at the prizes in this race, holy cow. Companies now see the value in it. I see the value in the ladies there.
I have also helped out some local kids with their broken frames. I knew they couldn't afford to have them repaired, and I couldn't deal with them not riding. So I fixed it for them. They ride buy and yell thanks at the door.Warms the heart.
I wanted the frame builders in the TC area to have a show, so I started MINNECYCLE. A gathering of TC frame builders. Why? Cause not that many people know about all the guys around here. It strengthens our community, and our industry, and also is one of the quickest , fun, and hell it's right on the GREENWAY trail system!! We all win with this one. MINNECYCLE is great, and the next one is coming soon.
Whats the point of this rambling babble ridden blog post, the first in nearly a year?
I'd like to take this minute to point out some things that have been accomplished :
Caused a small ruckus at the NAHBS show, twice, got one of the most viewed posts on Prolly is not Probably.com, got noticed by many EVIL DEAD fan sites, got 8 million ??? ( I was told this, but i don't know computer stuff)views on reddit,Dario Pegoretti shook my hand, had a most wonderful video made by the awesome crew at ROYAL ANTLER ,which has over 38,00 views, someone bought me and my frame building buddies lunch because they saw it and loved the film so much, free lunch!!,have been told by many people how what I do has made their life better,met the Mayor, helped new builders, been asked for my autograph, helped build brands, been on the news!!, had a petition started to get me kicked out of the NAHBS show,have been contacted over three times about doing a "reality" show, have built some of the most kick ass bikes I have ever scene, get to build WHAT I WANT TO,made in into the MPLS BUSINESS MONTHLY mag, and THE METRO too, helped out the courage center,held many parties here at the shop,even helped make some love connections... All this by doing it my way, the way I want to.
Not too bad I don't think. And just to let you all know now, just keep watching, because our ten year b-day is right around the corner, OCTOBER 12TH.This next NAHBS will be the one to watch us come into the next decade of business with one hell of an entrance.The things we are doing down here are just amazing, and I am most proud of it for this fact, I have done it all with a lot of sacrifice, tears, blood and will. The capital I don't have has been made up with the love I have for the bike, and most things related to it.
So, with all this going on, I'll say this: "I'm still here, now get used to it."
October 12th is P G'S 10 birthday.It's time to stop doubting and start believing.
PEACOCK GROOVE FOREVER.
