The collaboration between bici.PRO and Bikedes, an ecosystem of services dedicated to the growth of cycling shops through training, consultancy and networking activities. The first article is an interview with its founder Angelo Destro.
«Covid was the example of the shopkeeper who finds himself sailing with the wind blowing in his favor. He's going strong, but he doesn't know exactly why.. Instead, as soon as the wind changes direction, he stops and still doesn't understand why. If you try to face the market without having the skills to read it, you are necessarily subordinated to the choices dictated by others and you find yourself in a situation that is totally opposite to entrepreneurial security, to financial security."
Talk like this Angelo Destro, Sicilian born in 1981, creator of Bikedes: the first ecosystem in Italy – as stated on their website – dedicated to the growth of bike shops, through training, discussion, and consulting to build stronger, more organized, and more profitable businesses.
Angelo Destro's passion for cycling began in 1994, when he took part in some races as a boy, before abandoning the competitive world and continuing his passion as a practitioner (and then as an entrepreneur).
The beginnings in the automotive industry
His entrepreneurial story begins at just 18 years old, when he founded his first company in the automotive sector. With the advent of the internet and the rapidly changing market dynamics, he soon understood that the sector was undergoing a profound transformation and that the traditional business model needs to evolve to respond to new purchasing behaviors and new communication methods.
This awareness leads him to undertake a path of continuous training and specialization in the field of business strategy and corporate developmentA path that, over the years, led him to also cover the role of manager within a company specialized in the structuring and development of high-performance business models, supporting more than 650 entrepreneurs in the process of growth and transformation of their companies.
All the know-how gained over the years is then channeled by Angelo Destro in the sector he is most passionate about: cyclingFrom this vision came the contact with Shimano Italia and, subsequently, the realization of the Shimano Academy by Bikedes, an entrepreneurial training program designed to support Shimano Service Centers in developing their stores and increasing the profitability of their businesses.
Why was a step like this necessary?
Because shopkeepers are often completely absorbed in daily operations and, in many cases, they do not yet have the awareness or the tools necessary to face a constantly evolving marketAnd today, in a rapidly changing environment, knowing how to repair a bicycle is no longer enough: it's essential to grow the shop like a business.
And with Shimano, did you start explaining it to them?
We founded the Shimano Academy by Bikedes and we have also created a management path verticalized on the needs of cycling shops with a method called the Flagship Method.
Why this name?
If you think about it, what is the role of the team car? To support the professional during the race, adapting the strategy according to what happens and sharing it with him so that he can put it into practice at the right timeIt's the same approach we've incorporated into our method: we support entrepreneurs with ongoing support, tailoring their strategy to the evolution of the market and their business. This method we've applied in numerous stores, achieving extraordinary results.
A success that has benefited your work?
It is precisely from this path of support that emerged a need shared by shopkeepers: to have a space for discussion with other entrepreneurs in the sector from all over Italy. From here the Bikedes Network, a community in which to discuss, strategize together, and share experiences and solutions.
Is there friction between shopkeepers and companies?
Shopkeepers often they undergo the programs proposed by the suppliers and it's completely normal for companies to develop commercial strategies for their own market. The point, however, is another: not all stores have its own strategic plan and analysis tools with which to evaluate, adapt or integrate those proposals according to one's objectives. So, instead of consciously choosing, they simply end up “suffering” them.
What kind of feedback do you get from retailers?
At this moment I am very happy to be part of a team that is growingThey found themselves working alone for years without getting the results they hoped for. It's like a cyclist who rides his bike for eight hours every day, but has no training program. He's certainly working hard, but he doesn't know why or where it will take him.
Does the same thing happen with shops?
Yes, often the shopkeepers are like those cyclists who train a lot but without a precise directionThey put in great effort and sacrifice, but don't get performance commensurate with the work they do.
When is it useful to contact Bikedes: when you have problems or when you want to better structure your company?
It's a bit like asking a cyclist who wants to improve his performance when it's useful to seek the help of a fitness coach. The answer is simple: when you want to express your potential in the most effective wayLikewise, the manager is a figure that should not be missing in a store today.
Why?
Help businesses that are not getting the desired results to identify weaknesses, build a strategy and transform critical issues into growth opportunitiesBut it's equally valuable for stores that are already doing well, because it helps them consolidate their results, seize new market opportunities, and continue to grow without relying on chance.
We saw some content on the site…
The network is a learning portal, which collects all the articles we shareWe also have a Telegram channel where we share some news every week. strategic content related to financial management, taxation, and warehouse managementWe have monthly meetings and are also organizing an end-of-year event: two days of meeting and training.
What critical issues does a bicycle shop face today?
It has two problems. It doesn't have a qualitatively effective warehouse. And it doesn't have cash flow management. that allows you to have peace of mind during the months when sales are slow. These are the two main areas.
What do they depend on?
From the lack of strategies specifically designed for each macro-area of the store.
Can we define the health of Italian shops?
We are creating an observatory of data and information that comes directly from the shopsNot the data we may collect from various associations, but the practical reality that the shopkeeper experiences on a daily basis. This is important data to share, for to have a clear picture of the market and to team up with producers, since everyone has the goal of selling.
How's the market doing, since we've been talking about it?
To date, the first half of the year is anything but negative. The market is growing compared to last year.
How do I join Bikedes?
Today there are two ways. The first is through Shimano Italy, which provides Shimano Service Centers with the Shimano Academy by Bikedes, a training program dedicated to developing entrepreneurial skills, improving workshop profitability, and enhancing customer communication to increase loyalty. The second is to apply to the Bikedes Network, an entrepreneurial community reserved for cycling retailers who wish to connect with colleagues from across Italy, share strategies, analyze market trends, and grow together through ongoing training and support.
Why apply?
Our goal isn't to create the largest network in Italy, but rather one with the most advanced mentality. We're not interested in reaching every store in the country, We want to bring together entrepreneurs who want to question themselves, compare themselves, create valuable relationships and face the market with a new vision.The Bikedes Network is designed for those who believe that growth doesn't come from isolation, but from sharing experiences, strategies, and skills. It is the entry point into our ecosystem, a place where every shopkeeper can find tools, comparison and support to evolve together with others
What if the shopkeeper asks to join and doesn't have the right mindset?
Mentality is the first requirement. If during the initial discussion we realize that There is no openness to change, collaboration or growth, we prefer not to proceed with entering the NetworkNot because we want to exclude anyone, but because we believe that every community must be built around shared valuesTrying to change the thinking of someone who isn't yet ready would require a great deal of energy, with limited benefits for them or for other members of the Network.
Is there a fee to join Bikedes?
Yes, it is expected an annual membership fee, deliberately accessibleIt's not so much a question of money as of commitment: choosing to invest, even a small amount, means valuing the journey and demonstrating a desire to grow. For us, it's already an initial indication of the mindset with which you enter the Network.
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