[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[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.

                          ____________________