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[Pages S3282-S3283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING BOYD CYCLING
Mr. SCOTT. Mr. President, as a member of U.S. Senate Committee
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, it is my honor to recognize a
unique small business for its tremendous contributions to the local
economy. Small businesses drive our Nation's economic expansion,
generate lasting job growth, and encourage community development. This
week, it is my honor to recognize Boyd Cycling of Greenville, SC, as
the Senate Small Business of the Week.
Boyd Johnson, a former competitive cyclist, originally founded Boyd
Cycling under the name Boyd Bikes in September of 2009. Charged by a
mission of quality and service, Boyd set out to produce and sell
various bike products in the Greenville area. About 3 months into the
operation, Boyd's Bikes began to grow dramatically, and Boyd's wife
Nicole joined as a partner of the business. Boyd and Nicole are a prime
example of how a leap of faith, coupled with hard work, can pay off.
Boyd Bikes initially offered wheels, bike frames, handlebars, and
other accessories, but the Johnsons quickly realized that their
competitive advantage was their handcrafted wheels made out of carbon
fiber and alloy. By 2011, Boyd and Nicole decided to focus directly on
specializing in bike wheels and changed the name of the business to
Boyd Cycling.
In addition to focusing on bike wheels, Boyd and Nicole decided to
shake up their business model. Originally, Boyd Cycling focused
primarily on direct-to-consumer sales. Wanting to expand their
business, Boyd and Nicole reached out to the Spartanburg Area Small
Business Development Center, SBDC, a resource partner of the U.S. Small
Business Administration, and received business counseling and exporting
advice. Eventually, Boyd Cycling began selling their products to bike
shops around the country in addition to their own website. By staying
committed to high quality and low pricing, the Johnsons have been able
to avoid undercutting their retail clients while diversifying their
income stream. In turn, this has enabled them to export their products
globally and now currently distribute to over 15 countries.
A seasoned cyclist, Boyd spends time carefully designing each product
the company offers. Once a product is developed, Boyd Cycling contracts
manufacturing out to different firms domestically and internationally.
Boyd maintains rigorous standards when contracting with every
manufacturing firm that the company uses, making sure to implement
quality controls on materials and construction methods.
Boyd Cycling's dedication to quality has not gone unnoticed. They
have received national media coverage, excellent customer reviews, and
numerous awards. In 2017 and 2019, Boyd and Nicole were named the U.S.
Small Business Administration's Exporter of the Year for South
Carolina. This award recognizes small business owners for their success
and commitment to exporting goods or services. Boyd Cycling also
supports various philanthropies in their community including Meals on
Wheels, the Alzheimers Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,
Miracle Hill, Upstate Forever, and Global Bike. Their community
involvement has been a key to their success as Greenville has become a
bustling hub for the recreational biking community.
Boyd and Nicole truly embody the entrepreneurial and community
spirit. From its humble beginnings, Boyd has grown into a respectable
player in the industry while maintaining a commitment to customer
service and product
[[Page S3283]]
quality. I am honored to recognize the Johnsons and the entire team at
Boyd Cycling as the Senate Small Business of the Week. You make South
Carolina proud, and I look forward to watching your continued growth
and success.
____________________
