You do what? Halle Fetty sells motorcycles
 

Dennis A. Britton
January 31, 2005

Halle Fetty isn`t too surprised when strangers do a double take when being introduced to her and say 'you do what?'

Fetty sells motorcycles.

She`s also in the forefront of working to smash stereotypes about women and motorcycles and motorcycle riders in general.

'When guys come in they don`t think I know anything. But I know a lot more than they give me credit for,' said Fetty.

The former Palm Springs disc jockey opened Valley V Twin with her husband George a year and a half ago.

Their business is unusual not just because it has a woman owner but also because it is the only motorcycle consignment store in the Coachella Valley.

In their compact showroom tucked behind a tile shop on Perez Road, they feature 15 gleaming American-made bikes.

When Fetty makes a sales pitch, it is instantly clear she not only talks the talk but walks the walk. She rides a Harley-Davidson Road King, a 723-pound bike with a two-valve, V twin engine (yup, that`s where the shop`s name came from).

Husband George has been a motorcycle rider since the age of 10. When the couple met a decade ago 'I was scared to death of bikes,' admits Halle. But watching her husband`s joy, she learned to ride and bought a Harley Sportster, the smallest in the line.

The couple financed the business with personal savings and have been working without a formal business plan. Last year they sold 51 motorcycles and the clothing, helmets and other accoutrements that go along with the bikes.

Halle says the biggest surprise in their business is the cost of advertising was far more than they expected, but you must 'let people know you exist.'

To overcome what she described as the 'horrible reputation of consignment stores,' Valley V Twin joined the Better Business Bureau and thinks the $350-a-year cost was one of their better investments.

She said people contemplating opening a small business should 'align yourself with things you believe in, things you`d buy.'

Her strongest advice to other small businesses is 'put together your Web site before you open your doors. Our Web site is one of our most important sales tools.' She said www.valleyvtwin.com has brought in customers to their Cathedral City shop from as far away as Texas and Mexico.

When not selling motorcycles, Halle is busy selling motorcycle safety through ABATE (American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education). Last year each city in the valley proclaimed May as motorcycle awareness month and are expected to do the same this year.

For further information about Valley V Twin, 68-805 Perez Road, F-24, Cathedral City, or ABATE, call Halle Fetty at 250-2988.