NFIB California Member Profile: Menifee Bicycles

March 21, 2023

NFIB California Member Profile: Menifee Bicycles

Craig Cooper, founder and owner of Menifee Bicycles in Menifee (Riverside County) has been in business for more than 40 years. He remains is leading voice in his industry and has continued to give back not only to his community, but also around the world through his active participation in charity work, such as Odyssey Teams, which builds bikes and delivers them to deserving children. Menifee Bicycles is a highly rated place of business, online and throughout the community. It has everything you need for purchasing your next bicycle. With a knowledgeable staff and a great attitude, they are ready to make sure that you are ready for your next outdoor adventure on road or off. Grassroots Manager Taylor Criddle spoke with Craig to learn more about his involvement with NFIB and the challenges that he faces. Q. What is your business? A. Menifee Bicycles is a family-owned retail bicycle store. I also partner with Odyssey Teams, a corporate team-building company, in Chico, California, to help get bikes to deserving kids around the world. To date, we’ve helped over 27,000 kids get new bikes. Q. When was it founded? A. April 15, 1982. Interesting day to start a small business. Q. How did you become a small business owner? A. Being an avid cyclist since I was a kid led me to an interest in making a livelihood in the industry. I was the president of the bike club at my high school in 1974. I took a job while in college at a local bike shop and the rest is history. Q. How many employees do you have? A. I have four full-time and three part-time employees. Q. Why did you become an NFIB member? A. I felt it was more than important for small business to have a united voice. I know of no other organization that can share our concerns with all the entities we deal with day to day better than NFIB. Q. In what ways has NFIB helped your small business? A. I’m so busy running my business I don’t have time to reach out to our elected officials with my concerns. Knowing NFIB has my back has been a great help. Q. What’s the biggest challenge that faces local small business owners like you? A. Wow, there is too many to list. I would say government overreach into most aspects of our businesses and finding good and reliable employees to hire. Additionally, balancing business and personal life while owning and operating my small business. Q. How are you tackling that challenge in your own business? A. I don’t have time to attempt to reach my government officials, so I leave that to NFIB. I’m past retirement age and am working 60 plus hours a week. I’ve heard it said being in business is like climbing a greased pole. You are either climbing or sliding. No standing still. Q. What advice would you give new NFIB members to make the most of their membership? A. Be sure to try and read up on everything NFIB has to offer. There is a plethora of resources at your disposal to help your business. Q. What could help your industry grow? A. Having cities become more bike friendly for citizens. If cities were more bike friendly that would grow my industry and others in a huge way.