 |
| |
| |
Founder and CEO, Bikefactory
Sportshop (Honolulu)
SHIFT Magazine (Premier Issue) |
| |
| Click
on images for full view. |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
Off-road roller blades?
The resurrection of the scooter? Shoes
that double as skateboards?
Ever wonder who keeps Hawaii in the loop of new-school action sports? Meet Wally
Parcels, founder and CEO of Bikefactory Sportshop.
Thirty years of enthusiasm for trend-setting products have resulted in Hawaii's
finest retailer of the cutting-edge. "It's always been a part of my life," says
Parcels. "When I was a little leaguer I always wanted to have the best uniform,
the right bat, the right mitt. For me, it has always been about the right product
at the right time."
Parcels's roots, however, actually lie in a more traditional Hawaii pastime.
Says Parcels, "My enthusiasm for being involved passionately in the action-sports
industry really comes from the surfing industry."
Parcels sold boards out of Seaside, Oregon long before he sold roller blades
or mountain bikes. But in 1984, he realized there was a potential market in the
middle of the Pacific. It was with the introduction of the roller blade that
Parcels made his move to the Aloha State.
As far as finding potentially hip products, Parcels calls upon his fervor for
travel. "I spend a lot of time traveling around nationally and internationally,
to trade shows and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) events," says
Parcels. But as much as one might think this is standard for the industry, Parcels
says he's paved this path for himself. "There are very few retailers in
the country that do this kind of stuff," says Parcels. A sound business
niche.
For each product that is a success, however, there are sure to be a few that
never quite catch on. "For every hot one we have, we need to experiment
with all kinds of different ones," Parcels says. "Maybe one in ten
hit it big." Failure is simply part of the game. Says Parcels laughing, "After
all, Babe Ruth struck out more times than he hit home runs."
Among his passions for the progressive, Parcels is fond of his long-time ownership
of Nissans. "My enthusiasm for Nissan products started with my original
ownership of the Datsun Roadsters, the 1600s and the 2000s. I even had a couple
of 240-Z's in '71 and '72." But for Wally Parcels, it's not just the toys
that are important, it's about keeping up with a lifestyle that surrounds it.
For 2002, it's the all-black, six-speed, 350-Z track model, which helps him do
so.
Parcels's obsession with the cutting-edge doesn't just stop with himself, though. "I
try to create a lifestyle that my employees like. It's not just go to work, turn
the key and then go to the bank. They love to come to work. And I like to help
facilitate their interests."
Parcels makes sure the products he brings to Hawaii are worthy of influencing
the next generation. "Every new product that comes in, we test ourselves," Parcels
says confidently.
In his eyes one can still see a little leaguer, with a brand new bat and shiny
mitt, who hasn't quite admitted that it's time to grow up.
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
