Studying sociology here at OSU has altered my conscience in a way so that I’m very critical of the world I live in. I’ve come to realize that our nation [the United States of America] is a consumeristic society that burns through 25 percent of the world’s resources, while being only 5 percent of the world’s population. Moreover, our community connections with one another are severing fast and it seems like we are becoming more individualistic and isolated from one another. Essential, our economic development has outrun our spiritual development so much so that we have lost our way of living in tune with nature. We no longer live in balance, but deplete earth of the material that sustains it, that sustains us…
This convoluted ideology of mine is what has shaped my dream of opening up my own business. I want to own a bicycle shop that rents, repairs, builds, and designs bicycles. I want to eventual set myself up so that my income is derived from a particular piece of technology that I believe is the ultimate way of transporting oneself. Cycling is so beneficial–for the individual and society. It’s environmentally friendly, healthy, and economical. You do not produce any pollution, your fuel is your calories, and it is a great way to manage your waistline.
My goal is to eventual be owning and operating my own shop by the time I’m 33. That gives me ten years. If I’m able to achieve this goal before the desired date, I’ll be all that happier!
I want to specialize in affordable steel bicycles, but as well as offering a line of high quality custom made frames. I would also like to incorporate designs into my models that allows for individuals with various disabilities to have access to the fun machine. Basically, I want to sell and produce bicycles that will accommodate anyone that wishes to ride. I want them to be professional, wacky, and fun.
Some quick ideas of how to achieve this dream:
- Graduate college
- Find a good paying job
- Manage my finances so that I can begin saving money
- Accumulate a good amount of savings and credit
- Study and teach myself the skills needed (i.e., how to run and operate a business, how to design and build frames, how to weld, become an apprentice somewhere)
- Become professionally certified through UBI in Ashland, a vocational school that teaches bicycle mechanics and frame building.
- Reside in an area that is supportive of bicycling, such as Portland, Oregon or Davis, California
- Locate a rental with enough garage or shop space where I can begin to open operations
- Use the remainder of my savings and credit to purchase the needed equipment
- Build
- Advertise locally and on the Internet (Blog! and make connections).
- Go from there!
This is a log term goal that will require much balance in my life.
