PCR Client Success Story

— Lil’ Bill’s Mobile Bike Service —

Background —-

Aaron Flournoy

Owner

In the heart of the USC Village, you will see a white Lil’ Bill’s branded van parked directly across the street from Trader Joes’ and Target. It’s a prime location for students and staff who are zipping around campus on bikes, skateboards, and scooters that may need quick servicing.

Lil’ Bills is a mobile bicycle sales and repair company. Their business is to come to the customer’s location and provide fast, affordable repairs with excellent service. Aaron Flournoy’s father was in the bicycle repair business for over 40 years. Aaron worked for the past 17 years at Lil’ Bill’s Bike Shop on the USC campus. He acquired the business in March of 2017. When his lease on the USC campus was not renewed, Aaron went mobile. Changes city ordinances allowing street vending opened the way to provide services from a van. This enabled Lil Bill’s to escape the expense of maintaining a fixed location and take services more directly to customers.

There are 45,000 students and 15,000 staffers at USC. Parking is expensive and limited. Non-auto travel is optimal. With the increase in bike and scooter use, there is a need for more local bike repair services. Lil Bill’s target market remains the USC campus, and most clients bring their bikes to the van for maintenance. However, mobile service enables Aaron to take his services wherever they are needed.

“Frank Stokes referred me to PCR upon completion of his business accelerator. The one-on-one counseling was very helpful with my business plan and managing my day-to-day operations. The access to capital was critical at a time when I either had to acquire a van or close my business. The supportive staff invested time and money to help me succeed. I hope to obtain additional funding when ready. I have found the staff very helpful. I’m sure that other business owners can benefit as I have.”

Mr. Flournoy is active in campus life and social media. The students are very supportive and have assisted Mr. Flournoy in marketing of his business on social media and the use of technology, point of sales and inventory management, and credit card processing.

He is a member of the neighborhood council and supports several bike clubs in South Los Angeles. The next priority goal is to acquire another van and hire additional staff to broaden the service area and increase revenue.