Exploring Life & Business with Spencer Gillis of Pedal Electric

Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Gillis.

Hi Spencer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today. 
Throughout my post-college career, I have worked a vast assortment of jobs. From management consulting for Fortune 200 companies to selling licensed music to corporate brands, I developed a knack for strategic thinking and discovered the thrill of sales. 

Entrepreneurship has always been a passion and life goal of mine. Never due to a desire of becoming rich, but rather to provide me with financial and other freedoms. “Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can provide you with freedom.” I always valued that immensely and while I knew I would need to work hard in any position, I also knew it wasn’t possible to achieve my idea of true freedom working for someone else. 

My travels have allowed me to experience the diverse modes of transportation unique to each locale I’ve visited. I’ve particularly enjoyed cycling through Europe and navigating the bustling scooter and moto traffic in Asia. These experiences sparked a fascination with how communities around the world move from point A to B. After returning to the U.S. in the summer of 2019, I noticed the burgeoning acceptance of electric transportation, from Tesla’s surging popularity to the widespread adoption of electric scooters despite their somewhat chaotic presence. This convinced me of the lasting potential of the micro-mobility movement, particularly electric bikes, though I felt the market lacked appealing and relatable brands. 

So, I set out to create my own electric bike brand. This venture, spanning over a year and a half, was fraught with challenges. With some savings at my disposal, I dedicated countless late nights to understanding every aspect of product development, from initial sketches to navigating the complexities of sourcing, sampling, and the import/export business. My perseverance culminated in a product I believed was ready for the market. 

Looking back, I attribute a significant part of our success to the partnerships formed along the way. The journey of starting a business is complex and demanding, making it crucial to surround oneself with loyal, dedicated individuals who can balance each other’s weaknesses—a special nod to Steven Melendez for being such a great partner. Additionally, the support network within the Venice community has been invaluable, offering mentorship and fostering partnerships that have propelled PEDAL to new heights. The passion and drive of this community have been instrumental in our journey. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The past few years have been quite a ride, full of ups and downs that have taught us so much. In looking back, those tough moments were actually steppingstones that helped us grow and get where we are today. It’s funny how challenges can turn into valuable lessons, isn’t it? 

Diving into the B2C world, we quickly learned how crucial it is to get folks buzzing about our website through savvy digital marketing—think ads, SEO magic, and the social media dance. Trying to charm a wider audience beyond our loyal followers was no small feat, but it sure was an adventure. 

Along the way, we realized the importance of leaning on others to fill in the gaps we couldn’t cover alone. It’s all about teamwork and playing to each other’s strengths. 

Our main goal has always been to make our customers’ journeys smooth and enjoyable, right from the moment they discover us to their post-purchase experience. This ambition led us to pour our hearts into building a welcoming and nurturing community to help serve our growth community of riders. While we are thrilled to have achieved the next tier of scalability, the truth is that more customers equate to increased attention, resources, and expenses required to maintain the same level of service. I consider this to be the most significant milestone, and it is one that we will continue to face and surmount in the future. 

Looking back, it’s clear that every challenge was a lesson in disguise, pushing us to be better and bringing us closer together as a team. Here’s to more learning, growing, and navigating this exciting journey together! 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The mission: at Pedal Electric is to be a sustainably built brand in the Electric Transit space that inspires a conscious community of adventure enthusiasts and daily commuters. We were founded and built with an emphatic focus on a quality and aesthetics that embraces and respects nature as a playground of appreciation. 

From the start, our operation has been driven by the goal of inspiring a zero-emission society. Reflecting on the past three years, we have accomplished a great deal by bootstrapping the business (while teetering on the edge of insanity), but the question has never been why, only when. 

Our vision is to not only provide efficient and eco-friendly transportation solutions but also to create a community of conscious commuters who share our values and are passionate about making a positive impact on the environment. To achieve this, we are working on developing new vehicles to cater to specific needs and areas around the world, as well as enhancing our flagship line with new features and functionalities. 

One of our proudest achievements, in addition to fostering a community with worldwide, reach and securing partnerships and affiliations that have helped support our goal to become the first electric bike brand to attain ocean-positive and climate-neutral verification. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Adaptation has been the biggest strength for PEDAL in its effort to face unique obstacles and hardships that otherwise were not there. Additionally, it has served as a reminder to not seek immediate success but to plan. While the global pandemic has stopped, dissolved, or maybe even accelerated your small business, it’s been a learning experience for all regarding adversity. At the end of the day, no matter what’s happening around you, obstacles are inevitable; it’s how you deal with those challenges that matter. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Pedalelectric.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.spencergillis/?hl=en

Image Credits
PEDAL