Today we’d like to introduce you to George Marakas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, everyone here are Rebels, Bike Geeks and Ph.D.’s…I’m the Ph.D.!
There is this umbrella out there where all things cool live. Motorcycles live there, for sure. That’s what captivated me into strapping on my first motorcycle. Most motorcycle enthusiasts live outside the bike world, too. That said, they love to let their inner rebels out, toss aside our “Ph.D.,” “Vice President,” “Mom,” “Retired whatever,” or other labels, and just hit the open road. The faster, louder and badder, the better. And, don’t forget the bling!
That’s exactly why I started K and G Cycles in 2006. While it’s easy to find motorcycle parts and accessories all over the Internet, my goal was to create a store that offers something really different than all those other guys.
I have always had a love of motorcycles. I became fascinated with vintage motorcycle restoration and have been blessed with multiple national awards for my restorations.
Through this love of all things motorcycle, I decided to launch K and G Cycles in 2006 as an online parts, accessories, and apparel supplier. I looked long and hard for the best people to add to the team and it took over a year of preparation and hard work to get the website launched in early 2007. Since that time, K and G Cycles has expanded its online motorcycle parts and accessories offerings to over 200,000 and we represent products from over 700 manufacturers and all major motorcycle parts and accessories wholesalers. We like to tell people, “If you can’t get it from K and G Cycles, it’s probably going to be really hard to find!”
As the business grew, it became apparent that the South Florida market could use a locally owned independent motorcycle shop. So, K and G Cycles opened its new 7,000sf motorcycle retail and service supercenter in early 2017 right at the end of the Florida Turnpike. It is like nothing you have ever seen, I promise.
I am also a college professor at FIU and serve as the Graduate Program Director for the Doctoral Programs at the College of Business. So, I wear two hats and love every minute of it. Having a great team of people makes it both easy and fun!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Of course not! When we started, most motorcycle parts wholesalers were still in the non-digital dark ages. We had to educate them on what we were trying to do in the cyber world.
Add to that finding the right people, finding the customers, web sites crashing – you name it. Nothing comes without some struggles.
K and G Cycles – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a full-service motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and repair center.
We service the local motorcycle community with everything they need to enjoy the biker lifestyle in South Florida.
We are known for our attention to detail when it comes to customer motorcycle repair and service, our really friendly team, and our knowledge.
We are all motorcycle riders and we love serving other motorcycle riders.
One thing that sets us apart is that we are basically a mom and pop local bike shop with a dealer feel.
The vibe is local and look is global.
South Florida has some great things to see and do on a motorcycle and we just want to be a part of all of it!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me, success is knowing the difference between value potential and value creation. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to bring something like K and G Cycles to the marketplace. That said, all that hard work and dedication is just creating value potential.
When you execute the plan and bring it to market, the customers will tell you how much value you have created. If you listen to them and take to heart what they are telling you, you can go back and improve your execution and raise the level of value to the customer. It’s all about measuring and listening.
Contact Info:
- Address: 127 N Krome Avenue,
Florida City, FL 33034 - Website: www.kandgcycles.com
- Phone: 305-749-5599
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: kandgcycles
- Facebook: kandgcycles
- Twitter: kandgcycles
- Yelp: kandgcycles
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
