Around the Workstand

Hosted by Workstand

Business Entrepreneurship TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

128

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Around the Workstand is our podcast where we discuss the work done here at Workstand. Workstand is the only all-in-one commerce solution built exclusively for local bike shops. Our technology powered the ecommerce revolution for the IBD channel and is trusted by one out of four shops. Every subscription includes an optional point of sale at no extra cost. Workstand helps local bicycle retailers leverage the power of our bicycle industry-leading data network to run a more efficient business and expand sales opportunities. We offer the most complete catalog of product data, including images and descriptions, expanded sales potential, and improved efficiency for both retailers and suppliers. Included drop shipping and brand marketing partnerships to build powerful relationships. To complement our software services, Workstand is also a complete digital marketing partner. We work with over 400 bike shops, including many of the nation’s largest, offering website maintenance, Google Ads, SEO, graphic design, custom websites, and more. Contact us anytime for more information: podcast@workstand.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 2026Episode 12713 min

People for Bikes Senior Research Manager, Liam Donoghue: Better Data for the Cycling Industry

While in Bentonville, AR, at the People for Bikes Shift '26 conference, Mark Still took the opportunity to visit with former co-worker at Workstand, Liam Donoghue, now the Senior Research Manager at People for Bikes , to discuss his work developing data tools for the bicycle industry. Liam says the industry has historically had limited sales and inventory data, unlike sectors such as automotive, where vehicle registrations provide more systematic records. The current project collects point-of-sale sales and inventory data from independent bicycle dealers. Retailers’ data is anonymized and aggregated, then returned through dashboards alongside industry and regional comparisons. Participation is free for retailers; the service is monetized on the supplier side. A beta dashboard is available to participating retailers, with about 100 suppliers using the supplier-side beta. People for Bikes aims to have more than 600 retailer locations participating by January, with a longer-term goal of reaching over 1,000. Donoghue notes that early participants have tended to be larger, multi-location stores, so the project is also seeking smaller, single-location retailers and dealers in underrepresented areas. Retailers can connect through many point-of-sale systems, and Donoghue describes onboarding as straightforward. The dashboards are intended to help shops compare their performance with market trends by category, assess sales such as e-bike performance, and identify best-selling products and possible inventory gaps. As participation grows, People for Bikes hopes to provide more detailed regional and potentially state-level comparisons where the data is sufficiently representative and cannot identify individual shops. Donoghue says the association plans to keep expanding and improving the dataset, and expects to work with partners who can help retailers interpret the information and apply it to business decisions. PFB Virtual Education Series If you have questions for Liam Donoghue, leave a comment or email them to podcast@workstand.com, and we'll get answers! Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

October 21, 2026Episode 12640 min

Welcoming More Women into the Cycling Industry: Giant Bicycle National Sales Manager, Steph Allen

Steph Allen, National Sales Manager for Giant Bicycle, sat down with Brian Rawlings, Senior Business Development Executive at Workstand, to describe her entry into the cycling industry. A bike-shop job led to three years as a demo driver, where she enjoyed helping people—particularly women—discover cycling and learn basic repairs. Giant later hired her in sales, and she advanced from account executive to regional and then national sales manager. Allen said her early shop colleagues made it comfortable to learn, despite her being the only woman on staff. She has felt supported at Giant, but acknowledged that women’s experiences vary. She said she receives far fewer applications from women than men for sales roles, and suggested that some women may not apply because they do not see themselves represented or assume they will face barriers. The conversation addressed what shops can do to be more welcoming to women as employees and customers. Allen recommended evaluating the workplace through the question of whether one would want a daughter, wife, or sister to work there, including considering language and materials displayed in the shop. Allen said she does not see her role as needing to lead or speak for other women; she aims to perform her job well and be available to support female colleagues. She named women in the industry whose work she admires, including leaders at People for Bikes and the NBDA, shop owners, and people who teach cycling and repair skills. Discussing the industry’s future, Allen said shops and brands need to adapt to changes in how consumers shop and advertise, clarify what they do well, and plan for the future. She also emphasized that growing participation in cycling can benefit the industry broadly, and that businesses should make sound decisions without treating one another as adversaries. If you have questions for Steph or Brian, leave a comment or email them to podcast@workstand.com and we'll get answers! Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

October 19, 2026Episode 12516 min

Engage with your bike shop customers, sell more - Monthly Marketing Planning for November 2026

We discuss marketing ideas for November, beginning with the end of daylight saving time on November 1. We recommend featuring bike lights and reflective gear, keeping the product range focused, training staff to explain light features and customer needs, and displaying helmet-mounted lights so customers can see how they work. Staff picks and sales contests can help employees showcase products they know and value. We suggest preparing for the holiday season early while keeping plans flexible. Shops can ask vendors about specials and overstock, but should use sales data to avoid buying inventory they may not be able to sell. Promotions such as a free item with a purchase or a gift card can give customers a reason to visit without relying only on percentage discounts. We discuss community events and key shopping dates, including Thanksgiving rides, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Shops can plan online-only offers for days they are closed and consider gift-card offers or purchase bundles. Promotions should fit the shop’s inventory and goals. We recommend creating gift guides with items the shop carries and stands behind, including practical accessories and smaller gifts for cyclists. These guides can help customers who are shopping for someone with specialized interests, and useful website content can be reused in future holiday seasons. We also look ahead to the quieter period after the holidays and into January. Shops can schedule rides or try limited discounts on selected products, while testing ideas without making large investments. We encourage shops to share their own approaches and questions, and emphasize being open to trying new things and learning what works. Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

September 18, 2026Episode 12413 min

Have fun with bike shop merchandising and make it easy - Monthly Marketing Planning for October 2026

In this episode, we talk about October marketing ideas for bike shops as we move from summer into fall. We focus on how stores can use the seasonal shift to promote new arrivals, support in-store sales, and keep the website aligned with what customers see in the shop. We start with fall apparel and merchandising. We suggest social posts, email updates, and simple in-store events to show new clothing, layering options, and seasonal products. We also discuss keeping fall merchandise separate from spring items and using mannequins and layered displays to make products easier to understand. We then cover sale organization for older spring inventory. We recommend marking down items that will not return, keeping sale racks clear, showing original prices next to sale prices, and using size markers so both staff and customers can find items easily. We also note that the website should carry similar apparel content, including winter cycling guides and layering advice. Next, we talk about daylight saving time ending in November and how the shorter days create a chance to highlight bike lights and reflective gear. We also mention Halloween as an opportunity for group rides, costumes, and simple prizes that bring the community into the shop. Finally, we discuss fall sales and holiday planning. We talk about preserving cash flow by moving stale inventory, updating sale messaging so it feels current, and speaking with suppliers about special buys and Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals. We close by emphasizing that store and website messaging should work together to help customers decide and buy. Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

August 26, 2026Episode 12323 min

Sell more bikes as summer comes to a close - Monthly Marketing Planning for September 2026

Summer is closing up, kids are headed back to school, and September can be the gateway to the holiday season if you're prepared. Here are our tips for marketing your store in September. What did we miss? What works for you? Back to School Historically, K-12 schools start the day after Labor Day, but in some districts, schools can start as early as mid-July through August. A great time to sell locks, commuter bikes, kids' bikes, helmets. Also, think about other security measures such as Apple AirTag holders from MucOff or Topeak. Colleges start classes in September…talk to your local campus police departments about new fleets Sales to campus police don’t stop with the bikes; there are police decals, police bags, police-specific lights ...and don’t forget service! These aren’t typical retail sales; they often require a check to be mailed in from the Accounts Payable department, so plan for that difference in cash flow early Labor Day Sale It doesn’t have to start and end on Labor Day; ride it out for a week or two. Adjust Google Hours if you are closed Spring/Summer Apparel What hasn’t moved yet …let’s start marking those jerseys down ...make room for the fall apparel that is just about to hit your dock For non-perishables, such as black gloves, bibs, shorts, etc., you can keep those at full price. Maybe take inventory on them, so if you store them away, you at least know the inventory is correct. Holiday Planning - not too early to think about the holidays Black Friday offers Special buys from your vendors (socks, sun sleeves, hats…stocking stuffers) Talk to your reps, find out what they are heavy on We have a great E-Bike Premium Page which has great data for great SEO, AEO and GEO…talk with your account coordinator to get that added to your site Search Engine, Answer Engine, Generative Engine New E-Bike page coming, here’s an existing E-Bike Page - see all of our Premium Content Packages https://youtu.be/xAC5EuPYeXo - Debunking ecommerce myths https://blog.workstand.com/bicycle-chain-case-study - Case Study Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

July 28, 2026Episode 12223 min

Workstand homepage merchandising - Is your website ready for shoppers?

Bike shop owners and managers are often diligent about merchandising in their stores. The same type of attention can make a positive difference on bike shop websites. Let's talk about homepage merchandising! It's exciting, right? “Above the fold” - what this means and why it’s important Banners: Highlighting important topics (free shipping threshold, special events, special store hours, etc.)....Only text with links Header: These can be customized for a unique look Navigators: Focused Not too cluttered Sale navigator Resources - up-to-date resources - events page, for example. Services - Bike Repair, Fitting, Bike Rentals Homepage Hero/Highlight Hot topics with engaging graphics Rotators/Slideshows - just not too many Refreshed at least 1 per month For increased SEO, the graphic should have selectable, readable text, not just text baked into the image itself, as search engines can’t read that well Highlight focused brands with a logo carousel with links Highlight focused categories in blocks….These can be seasonal, meaning: lights, trainers, winter/summer apparel, cargo, etc. Staff Picks Social Media/Instagram feed Review feed Pop-Up forms ...asking for email to be added to email list, maybe in exchange for a discount. Clean footer with extra resources such as policy/return pages, career opportunities, etc. Consider a Premium Theme for a reasonable price, get a semi-custom designed homepage PRO TIP: It’s great to add custom images of your shop or staff to your site…but PLEASE be aware of the backgrounds …is the background messy? Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

July 16, 2026Episode 12123 min

Monthly Marketing Series: Planning for August 2026. Close out summer selling on a high note!

In our Monthly Marketing Series, we'll be taking a look at the upcoming month and discussing tips and tactics to plan for holidays, seasonal trends, and a general marketing calendar to help bike shops stay ahead of the game and ready to capture sales. This month, we plan for August 2026. End of Summer Clearance Sale - The Tour de France is over, and summer is winding down. For some retailers, invoices for big orders are due, and there is a need to turn some slow-moving inventory into cash. Fall is just around the corner, and now is the time to sell off spring/summer apparel to make way for fall/winter apparel. Action Item: Analyze your inventory for slow movers and spring/summer apparel. Depending on the quantity, consider a general category markdown or individual sale prices. Sale prices don’t need to be at closeout discounts…perhaps start at 20% off. Once you’ve whittled down your core sizes, mark down the extreme sizes to 30-40% off. Back to School Campaign - Know when your school districts are heading back to school… some districts can be as early as mid-July… historically it's mid-August. Consider the following: Kids Bicycle Trade-In campaign - Where all trade-in bikes go to a local charity. Free kids bike safety check - This should be a 10-15 minute check, checking: tire wear/tear, tire pressure, bolts are secure, brakes are in good order, and chain is lubed. Opportunity to sell brake pads, bells, and bags/baskets. Helmet Discounts - Discounts on helmets when trading in old helmets Lock Discounts Pannier bags, etc. Action Item: Find a local charity that is looking for bike donations. Make sure service staff understands the opportunity to sell pads, lube, etc. on safety checks. Workstand Library and Premium Pages for August: Kids bike guide BMX bike guide showing different styles of BMX bikes and P&A Custom Bike Builds End of Season Sale (premium for retailers on our Marketing subscription) What to think about: Labor Day is Monday, September 7 Are you open/closed? Update your hours on your website, Google Business listing, and all the socials Holiday Season is just around the corner Check your inventory on gift cards Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

June 29, 2026Episode 12015 min

Workstand website pricing tips - ensuring the right price displays for your customers

Prices for products displayed on websites are a topic we frequently discuss both internally and with Workstand website users. Rather than a deep dive into advanced troubleshooting methods, today, we will point out the main sources of the prices displayed and the easy solutions to explore. Beyond that, our Client Success Team is always ready to help. Point of Sale data Custom Prices tool Workstand product library Supplier data MAP Pricing https://workstand.com/help/pricing-troubleshooting https://workstand.com/help/custom-prices https://workstand.com/help/pos-sync Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

June 9, 2026Episode 11922 min

How AI Is Changing Local Bike Shops — For Owners and Customers

Mark Still and Alex Slocum, Workstand's Director of Product, discuss the current state of AI and its effect on consumer behavior, shopping, and the continued (growing even) advantage of local retail. Most people hear or even say ‘AI’ daily - what is AI now and what is it not? LLMs defined LLMs as a business leveler The opportunity for the bike industry Product discovery has always changed and evolved Visibility in LLMs - SEO/AEO/GEO, structured data, robots.txt/llms.txt Brick and Mortar Expertise is even more valuable Discerning what is valuable from the mass of information generated by LLMs Using LLMs to drive shoppers to the store, where staff expertise can convert How Workstand is supporting LLM discovery How/where might bike shop owners and managers leverage AI in their day to day? Repetitive tasks - bookkeeping, communication, scheduling? LLMs like OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and others aren't magic, and they aren't creative. They certainly don't produce unique content or answers. In fact, they are the opposite of 'unique'. More like a cover band than an original artist, but they can help answer complicated questions, and they are very good at dealing with large amounts of data and predicting the responses we're all looking for. Even if they often produce AI slop and wrong answers while still hallucinating as often as not, when you know what you want but not how to produce the answer, they can seem magical. They can help create decent marketing content such as brand-specific landing pages for your website, which can be very beneficial given the landscape of product discovery these days. Remember bike magazines? Mountain Bike Action, Velonews, that's how we used to learn about new products. Then came blogs and Google search. Well, now it's AI and LLMs, and the more relevant content bike shops have on their website, the more likely they are to be referenced in product discovery. Workstand helps more than 1,200 bike shops across North America compete in this way, and sometimes, AI helps a store narrow down what they want while we polish and finalize it for their website, saving time and money and making the store more agile and effective. Are you trying such tactics? Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .

April 7, 2026Episode 11816 min

5 myths of online selling that continue to keep local bike shops from real sales growth - busted!

We're not saying it doesn't take a focused effort or real work. What we are saying is that many of the barriers that local, independent bike shops continue to believe rule them out of meaningful sales growth are no longer valid. Workstand has the tools and expertise to help every bike shop, from the local, owner-operated store to the multi-location, high-revenue operation, leverage online sales and technology to grow in a space all of their customers already inhabit. Don't let these misconceptions hold you back! Workstand can prove to you that these are not real. Small retailers lack the scale and infrastructure to compete against the price and reach of e-commerce giants. A retailer’s sales potential is limited by the physical inventory they can fit inside their four walls. Increasing e-commerce order volume requires a proportional increase in staff to manage packing, shipping, and logistics. Competitive e-commerce requires a massive upfront investment in custom web development, expensive hardware, and a high-burn marketing budget. The high cost of shipping bikes and components makes e-commerce margins unsustainable for smaller retailers. Bonus Pro Tip - Turn your museum into a cash flow machine Be sure to email your questions to podcast@workstand.com . We read all emails sent, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you're a Workstand client with questions about your subscription, email support@workstand.com or call 303-527-0676 x 1 . If you are not currently a Workstand client with questions about how our programs work, email info@workstand.com . Find Us on LinkedIn Mark Still, Senior Business Development David Martinez, Key Accounts Advisor We also publish Around the Workstand on our YouTube channel if you'd like to watch while you listen. Here is our Around the Workstand playlist . If you have any questions about the topics discussed in this episode of Around the Workstand or if you have ideas for new topics we can cover, schedule a time to meet with Mark Still here or email mark.s@workstand.com .