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How to Start a Motorcycle Accessory Small Business

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Motorcycle owners tend to be motorcycle enthusiasts. An opportunity to enhance a riding experience by securing essential and decorative motorcycle accessories and wearing motorcycle gear is both safe and just plain fun. The motorcycle accessory business offers enthusiasts a wide array of product options--including helmets, gloves, and jackets. Accessories includes an assortment of essential and non-essential items from head lamps to motorcycle luggage.

Write a business plan for your motorcycle accessory business. Identify a unique name that's not being used by another business. Identify a business location and facilities. Find suppliers to secure essential inventory and supplies needed to operate the business. Calculate the startup costs based on the type of motorcycle accessory inventory that you want to carry in your store. Identify the target market for your business--and your competitors. The U.S. Small Business Administration website can provide information about creating a business plan. Make sure you have enough financing to give your business a chance to succeed.

Secure accounts with an assortment of wholesale distributors to obtain motorcycle accessory shop inventory. Motorcycle gear and accessory inventory includes such items as tires, exhaust, parts, apparel, covers, luggage, helmets, jackets, boots, and gloves. Sullivans Inc., Ningbo Jalyn Enterprise Co., Ltd., and Ali Express are examples of suppliers of motorcycle accessory and gear equipment. Motorcycle accessory equipment supplies includes such items as turn and head lamps, cylinders and crank shafts, shock absorbers and foot pegs, and mirrors and clamp sets.

Join the Motorcycle Industry Council. MIC membership benefits include quarterly motorcycle, scooter, and ATV retail sales reports. It also includes legislative summaries and government relations bulletins. MIC provides Information regarding insurance and bankcard processing services to its members.

Market and advertise your business. Develop a website that lists and contains photographs of your available inventory. Local and national motorcycle publications are key places for advertising. Attend the Advanstar annual trade show for the fashion industry. This trade show features the works of established and startup motorcycle gear designers. Additionally, exhibit space is available at this trade show to offer products and services to others in the motorcycle industry.

Warning

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice.

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Vanessa Cross has practiced law in Tennessee and lectured as an adjunct professor on law and business topics. She has also contributed as a business writer to news publications such as the "Chicago Tribune" and published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Cross holds a B.A. in journalism, a Juris Doctor and an LL.M. in international business law.

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