May 8, 2017

Meet Edward Guzman of Gforce Electric Bikes and Scooters in Chamblee

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Edward Guzman.

Edward, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Initially, this business evolved through our service business. Turns out there was a lack of service centers for electric ride on toys and bikes in our market Atlanta. As demand for our service grew, so did the need for supplier or dealers for the end product like Electric bikes and Scooters. The Manufacturers were delighted to have representation in Atlanta because the traditional outlets for these items had no interest. We have since been successful in capturing the majority market share in this region. We have aggressively developed our online and social media presence which has also contributed significantly to traffic to our store. We take this opportunity very seriously and endeavor to focus heavily on the customer experience. We always partner with suppliers that stand by their product hence assuring the customer is secure in their purchase decision.

Looking forward, provided the market demands it, we would like to become a distribution hub as well as retail for these products in order have a large “East Coast” presence which lacks in this industry.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As with most businesses, we have faced our share of challenges. Electric Bikes and Scooters, as an industry, is a very new realm for this product. Advancements in product development is dynamic and in constant flux. Keeping up and staying current is demanding work. Partnering with quality suppliers has been paramount in our growth.

I help create a local brand awareness and they stand by the products they sell so we mutually succeed. Probably the most difficult was transitioning from repair and maintenance to retailing finished goods, our whole staff has had to learn selling and customer care.

So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Gforce Electric Bikes and Scooters story. Tell us more about the business.
In the short history as an industry, we have seen several competitors try their hands at this business and have gone the way of the Dodo Bird. It is not an easy business and requires creativity and diversity to succeed. I am proud of having been the pioneer in this business but again what sets us apart is providing a customer focused service and partnering with quality suppliers that share our philosophy. Atlanta is generally not a bike friendly city and more specifically electric bikes and scooters. My job is to educate every customer, one by one, on the benefits of this type of transportation. Finally, I firmly believe that Atlanta poses some of the most stringent challenges but offers the greatest opportunities for us.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I consider myself very lucky in life and especially with regards to family and friends. I have been happily married for 28 years and have raised three wonderful daughters. I enjoy the number of friends and extended family that share in my life and are such a critical support system. As for business, I have had every kind of luck, good and bad. I originally went into business in 1999 in which I acquired an existing business. This has been the longest and scariest roller coaster ride of my life. If I had it to do over again, I would choose yes. Certainly, I would try a different path. On balance, there is more good than bad and the experience made me better. The one thing about owning your business is you own everything, including your successes and more so your failures.

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