Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Nguyen
Hi Jane, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For the later half of 2023, my husband and I traveled to Southeast Asia for 7 months and I noticed how the economies there rely on rentals as a transportation means for travelers. An idea sparked in my head to combine my previous experience working in a bike shop to cater to a market in Atlanta that has been lacking when it came to quality bike rentals.
I decided to think of myself as the ideal customer in developing the brand and the list of services I would offer with the rentals. I used my love language, which is acts of service, as the basis for Musette.
To explain, I love when I encounter brands and experiences who has their audience’s needs, wants and expectations all figured out and incorporated into their personality, service, or product. As someone with a marketing background, brands who ace it stand out to me. So when a company makes it a no-brainer to be the top choice because they have figured out the solution and delivers on it, that work alone is an act of love for the customer.
Since our launch in October 2023, Musette aims to be a bike rental company that strives to delight, make convenient, and be thoughtful in everything we do – from the high-quality brand-name bicycles and accessories to the Musette bag that is full of thoughtful goodies for an enjoyable ride, we want our riders to feel like they are taken care of. I love to offer recommendations about the top places to eat, see and do in a guide that every customer is sent access to.
One of the pain points for my customers is trying to navigate the city without a car, which can be inefficient and time-consuming. The hills are a surprise to many out-of-towners too as they realize that Atlanta is sprawling with divided pockets of walkability and bike-ability. Adding delivery of every rental has proved to be very convenient and appreciated. The ability to hop immediately on a reserved bike when we’re already meeting on the Beltline maximizes time on the bike, without all the administrative work and waiting.
That’s where all where the elevated parts come to play.
Since customers will be riding independently on their own, we want them, especially tourists, to experience what Southern Hospitality is all about! Having lived in Atlanta for 25+ years, I love everything it has to offer. Thus, hosting guests and offering my recommendations to curious people is like extending an offer to break bread with every customer I get to meet and show them appreciation through acts of service.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not encouraging to launch a rental company for an outdoor activity right before winter, especially since this wasn’t my side hustle – it’s my main hustle! Naturally, bicycle rentals are a highly seasonal industry.
I was recently reminded by a friend that starting a business in your slow season offers benefits that I should be grateful for instead. For example, the gradual ramping up of business makes it so it’s not so overwhelming which will give me space to work out kinks or improve my service. But it was tough when I went weeks without any activity – like in January – I rented out 2 bikes total.
I’ve also found that as customers discover how new-to-market you are, they are more forgiving of minor mishaps or more gentle with their feedback and criticisms because they genuinely want you to succeed. Of course, that will change over time, so it’s about taking that feedback to heart, listening to your customers, so you can tailor your services to the best of your ability because it’s what THEY want. As long as you do your best, you’re succeeding.
As you know, we’re big fans of Musette. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Musette’s mission is to provide guests with bike rental services, delivering high-quality, modern, and comfortable bicycles along with related accessories like helmets and baskets. We strive to offer exceptional care and support throughout the entire pickup and drop-off process. Additionally, Musette aims to provide genuine recommendations and useful tips for exploring fun and interesting locales in and around Atlanta.
Enriched with intown Atlanta knowledge and community insights, Musette caters to the fun-seeking and the curious, offering an efficient way to discover Atlanta with the added convenience of delivery and expert care for our reliable and well-maintained bicycle fleet. Every rider is presented with a well-stocked Musette, a canvas feed bag filled with packaged drinks, snacks, local tips, and other small offerings.
Our services encompass exclusive reservation and delivery options to designated locations, including Musette Rendezvous points, Airbnbs, or hotels within a 4-mile radius. We provide an intuitive booking system, ensuring ease of use for viewing availability and making reservations.
A Musette Rendezvous serves as one of several fixed meeting points along the Atlanta Beltline, the city’s most popular path for cycling. This strategically positions guests at the heart for riding, offering utmost convenience for pickup. It places them directly amidst vibrant activity hubs, providing easy access to explore restaurants, shopping venues, parks, and markets.
Musette is dedicated to fostering community through meaningful partnerships and collaborations with hotels, short-term-rental hosts, restaurants, cafes, breweries, event planners, creators, artists, and other small businesses. Having witnessed the significant struggles of small businesses during the pandemic, I empathize deeply, drawing inspiration from my upbringing in an entrepreneurial household with immigrant parents. Beyond merely pursuing our company’s mission, I feel a profound responsibility, as I embark on my entrepreneurial journey, to support and uplift the local community that surrounds me.
How do you define success?
While I have big and little goals for myself and the business, I understand that there are many things out my control when unexpected events happen that prevent my goals from happening. That’s why I find that having the mindset of growth is important to success. Learning from mistakes and seeing opportunities instead of problems open the doors to the optimism, motivation and drive to keep thriving in your business.
So I would define my own success as doing my best everyday to get people riding and exploring Atlanta with the help of Musette. I meet every single one of customers and I try my best to be accommodating with meeting places and times, with my local recommendations and to be available with the rental fleet of bicycles and accessories. Who knows – it could be because of these bikes that makes you fall in love with riding and with Atlanta. I’d love that! The success I want for my customers while renting with me is to experience IRL joy!
Pricing:
- Half-Day (3-8 hours): $50
- 1-Day (9-24 hours): $75
- Multi-Day and Weekly Rates: available and varies
- E-Bikes now available!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musetteatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musette.atl/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/musette-atlanta
Image Credits
Erin Olivia Dickman
