Today we’d like to introduce you to Bevin Helm.
Hi Bevin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always been an outdoor enthusiast. I grew up in Hawaii. My parents were athletes and made sure my siblings and I were exposed to bikes, the mountains and the ocean. They encouraged us to seek what makes us happy and feel fulfilled. After marrying my husband in 2006 we lived in mountain towns with our two kids. In August of 2019 we decided to move back to Eugene to be closer to our families and found that there wasn’t a used outdoor gear shop. We had heavily relied on them in the past to supply us with affordable outdoor gear for our family. I have a degree in civil engineering and a background in retail buying, merchandising and management so I had the skills and the desire to open a outdoor store. I was looking for work and had always wanted to own my own business so it was an easy decision to start Eugene Gear Traders. We opened our doors March 1st of 2020 and quickly became informed of what gear the community needed by what they brought in for consignment. Outdoor Gear is expensive and we are happy to supply a service to people so they can resell their outdoor gear and a place people can buy lightly used gear at a fraction of the regular retail price. It was a rough start due to COVID. But now that we are on the other side we are happy to be a part of the community and happy to be contributing in a sustainable way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We opened our doors March 1st of 2020 and closed them March 19th of 2020 temporarily, due to COVID. It was a scary time. Fortunately we had low overhead and some savings. I was actually quite upset during the PPP application process because we ended up not receiving any financial loans from the program because we had not been open long enough or had employees long enough to receive a loan. In general I feel opening during COVID set us back at least 3 years due to lack of cash flow. Had we received a PPP loan it would have helped tremendously. We didn’t have money for marketing and no one was talking to each other so “word of mouth” and going to “new” business was at a stand still. We got through it slowly. We managed to stay out of debt and borrow small amounts from family members and friends when we really needed it.
We’ve been impressed with Eugene Gear Traders, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
SUPPLY, EXPLORE, SUSTAIN Our Mission Statement is: Eugene Gear Traders supplies high quality, brand name, reused outdoor gear and apparel for sustainable exploration.
Outdoor Gear is expensive. We created a place where people can resell AND buy lightly used outdoor gear at a fraction of the regular retail price. We serve anyone who likes to be outside hiking, backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing or snowboarding and needs gear for their adventures.
We are especially helpful for beginner enthusiasts who are learning a sport and may not want to invest in new equipment right away. Or the seasoned athlete who wants to sell their older gear to help with the cost of new gear. It really is a community supported business.
We are different in that we are the only business in Eugene that sells used outdoor gear. We really care about sustainability and also sell products to increase the life of your gear.
I am most proud that when visitors enter the store it is hard for them to tell that we are a used outdoor gear shop. We try really hard to maintain a level of cleanliness and organization so that people feel excited about coming in and can find great quality and brands for 1/3 or more of the retail price.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Yes, absolutely.
Eugene Gear Traders would not exist without my husband Luke. He owns half the business and although he also has a fulltime job that pays the bills, he has always been my biggest supporter. He never hesitates to chip in and help when I need him. We are a great team and love working together. I am confident that there will be a time that Eugene Gear Traders will support us both.
Professionally, the first outdoor job I had was working at a surf shop where I was eventually promoted to manager. The owner of the store, Wayne Schrunk taught me so much about running a store and retail buying.
Vanessa Pratt and AJ Cargill were the lead buyers and merchandisers at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. They are both incredible skiers and athletes and taught me most of what I know about the outdoor industry over 2.5 years that I worked with them. They are the best in the business and taught me so much about visual merchandising and telling a story that speaks for what you are selling in the store.
Lastly all of Eugene and all the wonderful employees, friends and family I have have. We literally could not be in business if people didn’t want to resell their gear. We work really hard to make the process easy and straightforward for consignors and affordable for community members to shop.
Pricing:
- We are almost always at least 1/2 or more of MSRP
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eugenegeartraders.com
- Instagram: @eugenegeartraders
- Facebook: eugenegeartraders
