Bike Shop Owner Shares His Business Success Story

In spite of a sour economy, some local businesses have continued to thrive.

On Jan. 26, the owner of one such business addressed members of the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce, with whom he shared his tips for success.

During a luncheon presentation at in Hellertown, Steve LaBrake, the founder and owner of , emphasized the importance of having clear-cut sales incentives and goals for employees.

"Money talks," he noted, explaining that he has consistently been able to increase sales by offering monthly bonuses to employees if the goals for that month are met.

For example, he said one full-time bike shop employee took home approximately $3,000 in bonuses last year, as a result of having met pre-determined sales goals.

LaBrake said that communication with his employees on a regular basis is also very important in achieving store-wide success.

"I'm emailing this (monthly goal) on a weekly basis. (Employees) know where we're at," he said. "If it looks like it's going to be a struggle, they need to know."

LaBrake's Main Street, Hellertown business, which he founded in 1999, has also succeeded thanks to his combination of prior sales experience, his understanding of how to satisfy customers, and his "passion" for cycling, he acknowledged.

As a young man in upstate New York, he began working at his family's roadside vegetable stand, where the produce was fresh-picked for customers.

LaBrake later went to work for the former building supply store Hechinger's, before making the decision to become a small business owner himself.

Since making that decision, he has made it a point to look out for his employees and find ways to financially reward them for their hard work, he said.

To a typical retail employee making an average of $10 an hour, receiving a monthly performance bonus can make a big difference, according to LaBrake.

"The bottom line is--have some type of incentive program for your employees every month," he emphasized.

He added that being goal-oriented doesn't mean salespeople have to be "hard sellers," and said his staff typically look to offer customers products and services that they need.

In his presentation before the chamber, LaBrake also noted that has been a boon to his business, which is located just two blocks east of the popular path.

In , LaBrake had predicted that the trail would mean good things for both Saucon Valley Bikes and the Borough of Hellertown.