Brett Smith who was successively CFO then President of S&S Cycle from October 2003 to December 2008 is the son of George Smith and grandson of S&S founders George and Marge Smith. Since Brett resignation his father and Chairman George Smith assumes the role of CEO and leads the company. At the time George declared, “I respect Brett request to move on and I know he’ll do well at whatever he pursues after taking some much needed time off with wife Robin and the kids”. So, where is Brett Smith now?
Brett is since February 2009 the owner of a family-owned Parable Christian Store franchise serving 350 square miles in Southwest Wisconsin. His company is offering books, gifts, inspirational & sympathy cards, jewelry, music, videos, and apparel—along with church supplies and curricula. Brett also sponsors/facilitates guest speakers, seminars, and holy pilgrimage trips. The switch from the Powersports Performance Aftermarket Industry to a Christ Crusade Retail Business may surprise most of you, but you can be certain that Brett Smith does today what he really loves to do. Nothing better than working for your own convictions, whatever they are.
That’s sad….a motorcycle mind is a terrible thing to waste.
I wish you the best Brett!
Quality of life is the priority, take time with wife and kids is the best think in the world. Business come later!
Good luck!
If you love your job, it’s not really work & I can testify to that!
Good luck Brett.
For the most part, life is what ya make it.
Go for it!
-nicker-
Maybe God rides an S&S.
Well once again no one can argue with your decision here Brett
Thank for reminding us that the quality of life is pinnacle.
My best to you and your family.
Ditto’s on what Rick and John said! Good luck to you and your family Brett!
Over & Out,
Jeff
I wonder what Motorcycle Books he has in his Store? P T L ! (praise the Lord)for all you Unchritian like Dood’s !
Brett is, in my humble opinion, a solid stand-up kind of guy, who led SS in a great direction, and having had the opportunity to do so, made SS Cycle what it is today, the Rolex of our Industry. Having dealt with him personally his character and integrity are impressive, as well as his abilities to make things happen. I personally thought it unfortunate he choose not to continue. His change, while surprising, leads him in the direction of his calling, perhaps even faster than those in the 10 second club, so WFO Brett, in whatever direction you are headed…
Big Will / RED LINE Motorcycles of Santa Barbara
..and thanks for contributing to the X-Wedge.
Best wishes to Brett and Robin. I know the pressure he was under at S&S was much more than I could have stood. The new venture is surely a slower pace and most likely more enjoyable for him. I’m sure he will do well at this new endeavor. I know his family is much happier seeing him every day.
May God bless you and keep you, may He cause his face to smile upon you. Best wishes on your journey to your promised land. Keep the faith!
I never met the guy personally, but have worked with him indirectly, and never heard a bad word about him, until the post here when he resigned, but there is always the same handful of bloggers who talk shit on whoever when ever to make themselves feel better. Nothing but good wishes for the guy in his new career choice, but it sounds boring as…well…hell. He will get bored.
Just checked out the website for Parable Christian Stores. Looks like the Starbucks of all things Christian to me. I’m not throwing stones (had to get in that biblical reference) at Brett, it looks like a great franchise. In fact, judging from five minutes of web research, it looks like these things print money. Good work! I especially love how they encourage store locations that neighbor “Quality existing tenants that attract female shoppers” and market strategies that target “Growing market with mid-upper income demographic” and “Family market with vibrant schools and emerging new housing developments” because we know that low-income, inner city and rural farm families don’t need this stuff. Check it out for yourself:
http://www.parablefranchise.com/HTML/franchise/qualifications.html
Ya’ gotta love the internet. Makes living fun !
Did check it out Lucky, thanks for the link, seems like they did a market study and developed a sound business plan that one who enters into a franchise with them has a good chance to further the brand and enhance their own chances of success.
Although it looks like you adlibbed a bit in jest in your last sentence one might assume you would agree you wouldn’t want to invest several hundred thousand on lucky assumptions, nor a new solo store located out in the boondocks with no customer base as to support the investment. Noting there are inner city locations that meet the requirements as well but for those that don’t; one living in those locations can always order online and be served by the nearest franchised store location, etc. I Wish them success.
Good luck Brett.
and wow that is one heck of a change,
nice niche IMO
good luck…all the best
Hello All:
Thanks for all the well wishes. I wasn’t even aware of this article until just a few days ago when a friend of mine told me about it. Yes, Robin and I have a Christian store that we purchased and we’re thankful to play a role in continuing that local ministry.
When we bought the store out of foreclosure, they were already a Parable franchise and we stayed with them for a bit. We’re now actually independent–Living Word Bookstore–and simply focusing on our local area, but Parable hasn’t removed us from their website yet for some reason. Any website we have will be simply to support what we’re doing at the store. As with many industries, the internet has been a blessing and a bane and I did not agree with Parable’s “web-based” approach to sales.
I believe something like a Christian store requires a more personal “bricks and mortar” approach–just like dealerships in the v-twin industry. So we’ve put a pretty solid team together to make sure that the store will continue to stay healthy and not experience the same financial stresses that many Christian stores have throughout America (they got too big and then along came Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com).
Anyway, Robin and I are still thinking about what we’re going to do next and where we’re going. As I write this, we are packing up our belongings and selling our house in La Crosse and don’t even know where we’re landing next. We are just taking the ride and thankful for our faith, our lives, our friends & family, and the great people we have at the store so that no matter what happens, it will continue on–with or without us.
I know it has been very hard in the v-twin industry the past year I really hope that everyone is doing well and business is picking up for all of you. It both seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago that I was shaking hands with everyone at our 50th (What a way to go out; I am so thankful for having been a part of such a memorable event!). As a sidenote, I’m looking forward to getting my commorative book, but Howard hasn’t sent me one yet! For those of you that haven’t seen it, I’ve heard its pretty good…
Take care everyone and God bless! I miss you all!
Brett
Brett,
The words of a true Gentlemen ….. well said! If you and Robin should venture through Houston give me a call and I will buy you dinner.
Good luck,
Over & Out,
Jeff