Plan for Jeff Tunnell
by Jeff Tunnell · 08/09/2003 (9:05 pm) · 9 comments
You have not seen much of me for the past couple of weeks because I have been buried. As you can see from my profile picture, I'm into dirt bikes, and especially motocross, but I also love ATV's and street riding. A few years ago I had a collection of 16 motocross and offroad motorcycles, ATV's, and street bikes. Since then, I cut back a little, but have always continued to ride motocross every week during the Summer.
I have been riding since I was a teen, when I was pretty fast (yeah right, the older I get, the faster I was). I let the sport go for many years while starting Dynamix and a family, but when when my oldest son turned 10, and he wanted to ride, I decided that I wanted to share the same experiences that I had with my Dad when I was that age. I told him we could get bikes, but WE WOULD NOT RACE. Four weeks later, we were at the track and started racing motocross again. For the next ten years, we practically lived at the tracks on the week ends. I can tell those of you with kids that this is a stressful, but absolutely wonderful, way to spend time with your kids.
During this racing time, I invested in the local shop, Herb's Cycle Town, when the owner needed a little financial help. When the shop came up for sale earlier this year, I felt it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to become more involved in a sport that I love.
I thought it would be fairly easy to computerize the shop and make it more or less self running. Most of the employees are extremely experienced and the shop has been in business for nearly 40 years. In fact, I bought most of my bikes and ran out of this shop when I raced as a teen.
Well, I was wrong. The shop is doing nearly $4,000,000 a year in business (but, at a VERY slim profit margin), and is much more complicated than I thought. I'm making headway though, with a new server and software on the way. I have also redone the business plan, addded inventory, beefed up the race team, and started setting the groundwork for a solid future.
I will probably be tied up for another month or so. My hope is to be back to full GG speed in time to help with IndieGamesCon. I love motorcycles, but GG is more important to me.
Wish me luck. I've been working from 6AM to 11PM every day. It feels kind of wierd to work this hard again, but I'm having a blast.
C'ya all in a month or so.
-Jeff Tunnell GG
I have been riding since I was a teen, when I was pretty fast (yeah right, the older I get, the faster I was). I let the sport go for many years while starting Dynamix and a family, but when when my oldest son turned 10, and he wanted to ride, I decided that I wanted to share the same experiences that I had with my Dad when I was that age. I told him we could get bikes, but WE WOULD NOT RACE. Four weeks later, we were at the track and started racing motocross again. For the next ten years, we practically lived at the tracks on the week ends. I can tell those of you with kids that this is a stressful, but absolutely wonderful, way to spend time with your kids.
During this racing time, I invested in the local shop, Herb's Cycle Town, when the owner needed a little financial help. When the shop came up for sale earlier this year, I felt it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to become more involved in a sport that I love.
I thought it would be fairly easy to computerize the shop and make it more or less self running. Most of the employees are extremely experienced and the shop has been in business for nearly 40 years. In fact, I bought most of my bikes and ran out of this shop when I raced as a teen.
Well, I was wrong. The shop is doing nearly $4,000,000 a year in business (but, at a VERY slim profit margin), and is much more complicated than I thought. I'm making headway though, with a new server and software on the way. I have also redone the business plan, addded inventory, beefed up the race team, and started setting the groundwork for a solid future.
I will probably be tied up for another month or so. My hope is to be back to full GG speed in time to help with IndieGamesCon. I love motorcycles, but GG is more important to me.
Wish me luck. I've been working from 6AM to 11PM every day. It feels kind of wierd to work this hard again, but I'm having a blast.
C'ya all in a month or so.
-Jeff Tunnell GG
About the author
#2
I take it we'll probably get to see a couple o' the bikes from your new shop at IGC '03? :-)
08/09/2003 (11:13 pm)
Congratulations and good luck, Jeff! But, you are only workin' 6 AM to 11 PM? What's wrong with you - there's a couple o' perfectly good hours left in the work day! ;-)I take it we'll probably get to see a couple o' the bikes from your new shop at IGC '03? :-)
#3
My wife loves bikes and motocross. It looks like she will be coming with us to Eugene in a couple of months so we will have to stop by your shop.
With as busy as you are, don't forget to leave some time to warm up that bass ... you aren't getting out of the Indie Jam :).
08/10/2003 (7:03 am)
That's an inspirational story Jeff. Over the last couple of years, I've really gained respect for the amount of work that goes into starting a new business venture. I can't imagine two of them! It's amazing how much energy can be produced from following your passions.My wife loves bikes and motocross. It looks like she will be coming with us to Eugene in a couple of months so we will have to stop by your shop.
With as busy as you are, don't forget to leave some time to warm up that bass ... you aren't getting out of the Indie Jam :).
#4
We miss you at the office - don't forget to say goodbye to your interns before they're gone forever ;)
08/10/2003 (11:41 am)
Glad to hear that the motorcycle shop is coming along well! Good luck getting it beaten into shape over the next month! :)We miss you at the office - don't forget to say goodbye to your interns before they're gone forever ;)
#5
[VO]With 27 hours left, Big Al is frantically trying to hunt down a bug in the collision detection code.
BIG AL: I told you we shoulda been [bleep]in' commenting this [bleep] the whole time!
Well, maybe best the two not mix.
Congratulations, Jeff!
08/10/2003 (12:29 pm)
Wow. GarageGames and now a literal garage. I'm seeing a Monster Garage type thing here: [VO]With 27 hours left, Big Al is frantically trying to hunt down a bug in the collision detection code.
BIG AL: I told you we shoulda been [bleep]in' commenting this [bleep] the whole time!
Well, maybe best the two not mix.
Congratulations, Jeff!
#6
08/15/2003 (4:21 pm)
I am inspired by your focus and commitment.
#7
08/17/2003 (9:43 pm)
@ Bradley: I've been able to focus and commit for four years without pay because of great community members such as yourself.
#8
09/04/2003 (3:28 am)
like all things, you get out what you put in. Good luck with your tinkering.
#9
Congrats.
-cD
09/09/2003 (5:30 pm)
Motocross, ooooo, good luck, however you seem to be doing great.Congrats.
-cD
Torque Owner Ben Swanson
edit: On another note, I recently drove through Eugene coming back from Canada. Whilst trying to find someplace to buy lunch I ended up driving past GG headquarters (was really tempted to drop in but I was pretty rushed). Really pretty area you guys are in, I love the look of the place.