#34 John Seinar is the current owner of Bikes Unlimited, Lynchburg, Virginia's oldest bicycle shop, which opened in 1967. John took over the current downtown location in January 2020 and recently opened Trailhead, a cozy, casual bar and restaurant right next door.
What originally attracted me to this story was the bike shop's longevity, which is no small feat, especially in a small town. I also wanted to know the story behind Pints After Pedals, a super easy group ride that encourages the community to come together, enjoy the local trails, and share a frosty brew at the end.
However, once I learned that John was also adding a restaurant to the mix, which is not for the faint of heart, I had a hunch that this man has the right kind of crazy and knowledge to be a successful entrepreneur here in Lynchburg. I had hoped to glean some insights and suggestions that could help other local small business owners thrive. I was not disappointed.
One of the biggest keys to John's success is his curious, playful, generous spirit. John is also competitive, but he doesn't take himself too seriously, which is incredibly rare. This allows him to learn quickly from his mistakes and spot new opportunities. I had a great time geeking out with John, and I am excited to continue following his journey.
Please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation about creating culture, raising the bar, serving others, and having a damn good time doing it all.
Enjoy the show!
Bikes Unlimited's Website
Bikes Unlimited on Instagram
Bikes Unlimited on Facebook
Trailhead's Website
Trailhead on Instagram
Trailhead on Facebook