Biker’s Depot – Small Business Series – Elizabeth Henson Photos

I’m so excited to launch my small business series!!! I’m so passionate about small businesses and meeting small business owners I can’t wait to continue this once every month! I’m blessed to offer my services but at the same time learn and be inspired by other amazing people with success in the small business industry.

My very first Small Business Feature is Biker’s Depot in Virginia Beach, owned by Amy and her mother Page. Amy spent many years working a desk job. Over a weekend traveling up north Amy fell in love with a bike shop. She loved the atmosphere, the people, and decided that Virginia Beach had nothing like it. She quietly held on to this dream until she quit her day job and DID IT!!!! She will tell you it was not easy, but over time, has become this amazing little place that it is today. The customers LOVE Amy and Page.

I will tell you a little bit about my experience in the Biker’s Depot. Well walking in, being a photographer who knows nothing about motorcycles, it felt intimidating for a minute….. but as I walked around, spent some time with Amy’s dog Bella (not always in the store but was recovering from an injury)….as I walked around I began to notice all the details in the store. Vintage signs, gifts from customers and companies Biker’s Depot have donated to, a couch and coffee maker, I really began to not only feel at home, but to see what Biker’s Depot is really about. Yes the motorcycle stuff is awesome, but you can tell this place is about the people, the customers, and the bigger purpose. EXACTLY the kind of thing that inspires me and people all over the city. When you look past the leather, it was not just a shop, this was Amy’s dream turned into a reality. Amy’s mother Page has supported her and helps her run the business, she does all the sewing, and Amy is now learning to do that too. I love the image of Amy and her mother she shared with me, something about old photos always gets me!

Amy and Page’s big Charity is The Vethouse Inc. Amy chose this because her grandfather is a war vet, and its obvious how passionate she is about it. She has vintage pictures of him in the store. She was so proud to show them to me and talk about his legacy. She also knows how proud he would be of her if he were here today. This conversation with Amy gave me goosebumps. I know her whole family must be so proud of her, not only for being a business owner, but for all the money they have raised for such a good cause.

I knew after getting to know Amy and spending an hour visiting her store that this Small Business Series was going to be even more awesome than I imagined…. for me anyway 🙂 I hope a few people enjoy reading about it too.

This was a tiny bit of my experience in Biker’s Depot, but make sure you check out their website to get to know them even more: www.thebikersdepot.com AND if you like to ride, you really need to go check them out!!!

Bikers_Depot 2014-07-08_0002 2014-07-08_0003 2014-07-08_0004 2014-07-08_0005 2014-07-08_0007 2014-07-08_0008 2014-07-08_0010 2014-07-08_0011 2014-07-08_0017 2014-07-08_0018 2014-07-08_0023 American_biker_girl_0006 bikers_depot_0016 BikersDepot_0009 bikersdepot_0013 BikersDepot_0021 motorcycle_0022 motorcycle_detail_0020 motorocycle_shop_virginia_beach_0015