Co-op at GEARS Bike Shop!
© GEARS BIKE SHOP
VISION To create a bike shop and community that makes cycling accessible to all Canadians.
MISSION
To be a happy, healthy and respectful environment where we listen to and support our customers of every age, gender and ability while combining a high level of service, selection and value in every category of cycling.
Gears Tidbits
- Founded by Kevin Wallace in 1988 in order to help support his family
- Ira Kargel took over the operations side when Kevin's mother became too ill
- Largest independent retailer of bicycles within Canada
- Provide free tune-ups for every bike purchased for life
The first storefront location in Clarkson from 1988 until 1996.
Supporter of Golden Rescue who rescue Golden Retievers and have their own "shop dog", Jake
Donated over $5 million to the construction of Betty Wallace Women's Centre-Trillium Health Centre
Continue to raise funds for cancer, osteoporosis, and many other causes and charities
Essential Skills for Working in a Repair Shop
1. Problem Solving
- Not always obvious what needs fixing
- Use prior knowledge for analysis, deductive reasoning, etc.
- Use bike shop equipment that provides technical information
2. Collaborative Skills
- May require input from a more experienced worker
- Some jobs may need more than one set of hands
- Prioritize what needs to be fixed and in what order
- Dedicate an appropriate amount of time
- Decide how to keep costs down
GEARS Bike Shop booth at the 2014 Toronto Bicycle Show
What I learned working at the GEARS booth:
The importance of keeping your cool under stressful time constraints
i.e., stay focussed and calm
When you have a strong team, the work gets done more efficiently
Always be patient with and respectful of the customer
Contact Information
Co-owners: Kevin Wallace and Ira Kargel
Email: ira@gearsbikeshop.com
Website: http://www.gearsbikeshop.com
Location: 176 Lakeshore Rd W Mississauga, ON L5H 1G4
Phone: 905-271-2400
Facebook: facebook.com/GearsBIkeShopCompany
Twitter: @GearsBikeShop
This flyer was created for educational purposes only in order to provide a sample online presentation for a Co-operative Education Placement