The Villages - March 2022 - 5

Below: The Maybeck's motorcycle baffle that launched a business.
putting a program together, " Gail said. " We
started small and grew exponentially -almost
like flies in a jar. "
When a friend who owned a Harley Davidson
dealership suggested they bring their products
to a show, the exposure led to sales and word-ofmouth
prospects.
" We had about 20 people try the baffles, and
people heard the sound, " Gail said. " The next
week, other people called us to say, 'hey my buddy
bought a pair of your exhaust products, and I need
a set because his sounds so good.' So that was kind of
the beginning and then we got a call from a guy in Texas.
We were in Charlotte and we hadn't even advertised. We'd
only made local sales - didn't even have a website yet. "
And while the wheels were turning, the couple met
with some resistance along the way.
During a meeting with an engineer,
they were told their idea was stupid,
and didn't have a place in the market.
But Gail was unfazed, confident in the
product Jim had built and her ability
to sell it.
" After those first 20 sales, I was
convinced, " she said. " We learned a
lot about advertising after that. "
Gail shows off a pamphlet and
business flyer with the company's
name and logo.
The company garnered interest
from popular trade magazines and
Below: Gail's custom bike featured in Hot Bike Magazine in 2007.
newspapers. They were " Big City Thunder, " and they were
taking the market by storm.
" I had a friend whose husband was a patent attorney,
and we were able to patent two products, " Gail said. " We
made so many wonderful friends. When we picked up the
phone, we never knew who was going
to be calling. "
Filling orders all over the map, Gail
met a slew of interesting people, and
the occasional celebrity too - Clint
Eastwood was a customer, she notes.
And while the couple wholeheartedly
believe in the quality and performance
of their baffles, they attribute
their business success to something
more powerful: faith and the generosity
of others.
" It just swept us away - how
people came along and just helped, "
Jim said. " For nothing - just helped.
But you pass that on. That's what
you're supposed to do. "
Gail says it was a customer who led
them to their retirement home.
Now living in Haciendas of
Mission Hills, Gail and Jim have sold
the company and traded two wheels
for four - a Viper Red 1932 Ford
Roadster. From motorcycles to classic
cars, they're still enjoying the ride.
WE FEEL YOUNG
HERE. LIKE WE DID ON
A BIKE. - Gail Maybeck
MAGAZINE
5
The Villages - March 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - March 2022
