Elliott and Daniella Crowder decided to sell their successful restaurant business in Grants Pass, after seven years ownership, and buy The Bike Shop in Newport. It was partly because of their business goal to earn financial security and it was partly because of their life passion. As enthusiastic cyclists themselves, they wanted to live in a rural community and become activists for health and wellness.

Once the bike shop was purchased, they moved it to a better location and renamed it Bike Newport. The next thing they did was join Oregon Coast Community College's Small Business Management (SBM) program. They had attended a similar program in Grants Pass and were well aware of the services the SBDC could provide. “Being in the (SBDC) SBM class was a huge asset on our resume, according to all the finance people I spoke with, it shows that you are not only working in your business but on your business, and that makes sense to them,” said Daniella.

The Crowder’s are now Alumni of the COCC SBDC SBM program and stay involved by attending the ongoing seminars & trainings that help them build their business. Bike Newport is now heading into it’s 6th year of business and has grown significantly since their beginnings in 2005. They were able to purchase land & designed and built their new bike shop which has made them the largest bike shop on the coast. When it came time to get a loan for their expansion, “the banks were coming to us as they knew we were part of the SBDC SBM program,” said Daniella.

This last Fall the Crowder’s were honored with the Sam Braxton Award from Adventure Cycling Magazine for the best bike shop. According to the magazine the Crowder’s received more nominations than any shop ever and are the first bike shop on the West Coast to receive this award.

The Crowder’s are very active in the community and involved in promoting bicycling as a way of life. They attend the Oregon Bike Summit each year and have traveled to Washington, DC for the National Bike Summit to raise awareness of cycling. Elliott is on the board of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee & Daniella is on the board for Buy Local Lincoln County and hosts a radio show for Buy Local. They have been involved in doing many free “bike rodeos” to help children learn basic bike safety skills and can be seen at many events throughout the county offering their expertise in bicycles.

“Being in the (OCCC SBDC) SBM class was a huge asset on our resume. According to all the finance people I spoke with, it shows that you are not only working in your business but ON your business, and that makes sense to them!”

—ELLIOTT AND DANIELLA CROWDER
BIKE NEWPORT
NEWPORT, OR

About The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network

The Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDCN) is a partnership of the Small Business Administration, the Oregon Economic Development Department and Oregon community colleges and universities. Nineteen Small Business Development Centers around the state provide free business development consulting to Oregon small businesses, as well as training and referrals to other resources and services. To locate the SBDC nearest you, visit http://www.BizCenter.org, or contact OSBDCN at (541) 463-5250.