Always Pedal.  Never Coast. 
How Erik Became The Bike Man.

Speaker: Erik Saltvold, Founder/Owner/CEO, Erik’s Bike Shop, Inc.

Location: Doubletree Park Place Hotel -- 394 & Park Place Minneapolis

Directions

7:00 AM - 7:30 AM	Registration and Networking
7:30 AM	Breakfast Served
7:44 AM - 8:30 AM	Speaker Presentation
8: 30 AM - 8:45 AM	Q & A
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM	Networking and Adjournment

The year was 1977:  Erik Saltvold, age 13, started Erik’s Bike Shop in the barn of his family’s home in Richfield, MN.  He had one workshop and he was the only employee.  Fast forward to 2008: Richfield is a developed, first ring suburb and Erik’s Bike Shop has 15 stores In Minnesota and Wisconsin.  He employs 200 people and the stores carry more than just bikes. 

In 31 years of business, Erik has learned some valuable lessons on the bike path to becoming “Erik the Bike Man.” 

Service, Selection and Satisfaction. Repeat business is the best advertising.

Product Selection and Pricing: The importance of buying the right stuff at the right time for the right price.

Systems are the key: Integrate systems into all aspects of your business.  The investment will be paid back many times.

Memorable advertising: Stand out from the pack.

Culture: Create an environment where your customers and staff can share your passion for the business and the products you sell.

Erik’s Bike Shop has received both local and national recognition.  The stores consistently rank as the #1 Best Bike Shop in the Twin Cities in rankings by City Pages, Twin Cities Sports, MN Parent and Lavender.  Nationally, Bicycle Retailer Magazine has recognized Erik’s Bike Shop as a Top 100 Bicycle Dealer for the last 4 years and is currently the #1 dealer for Specialized and Raleigh Bicycles.

In 2006, Erik Saltvold was the recipient of the “Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Consumer Products.”