Aveson Students Gain Business Insights at Pasadena Bike Shop

Oliver and Quincy Howard, students at Aveson Global Leadership Academy Altadena, spent every Friday this year at Around the Cycle Bike Shop in Pasadena. Through this internship, Oliver and Quincy delved into the complexities of running a bike shop and gained valuable insights into managing a business.

Their lessons include:

• The Joy of Bike Repair: Fixing and assembling bikes turned out to be both enjoyable and fulfilling. Oliver and Quincy discovered a true passion for this hands-on work.

• The Challenges of Business Ownership: Operating a bike shop involves much more than they initially anticipated. As Quincy noted, “There are intricacies you don’t expect… an insane amount of inventory to track with so many small bike parts to account for.”

• Reevaluating Career Aspirations: While working at a bike shop is fun, the realities of owning one have led them to reconsider their goals. They now plan to focus on their passion for bike repair and assembly, rather than owning a shop.

• The Value of Customer Feedback: Initially dismissive of customer opinions, they have come to understand the importance of feedback in improving and growing a business. Oliver remarked, “I thought it didn’t matter what customers thought, but now I know customer opinions help you know what to change and add to make your business better.”

• The Importance of Starting Small: They learned that beginning with lower-level duties is a crucial part of personal and professional growth. Quincy reflected, “You’re not going to get what you want immediately. So be patient, and you’ll get the work you want eventually.”

This internship provided Oliver and Quincy with a practical education in both the joys and challenges of the bike shop business, shaping their future aspirations and work ethic.

Aveson Global Leadership Academy, 575 W. Altadena Dr., Altadena, (626) 797-1438 or visit https://www.aveson.org/aveson-global-leadership-academy.