- May 2, 2024
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Mike and Sheila Lewis, owners of Siesta Sports Rentals, bought the equipment rental store in ’95 from the British couple who started it. They rent bikes, kayaks, scooters, beach wheelchairs, paddleboards and baby equipment. They also host kayak tours and run deliveries and pick-ups. Their main clients are vacationers, but they have a lot of local customers, as well.
Location: 6551 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key; servicing as far north as Anna Maria as far south as Englewood and Pine Island.
Start date: Bought in 2005; established in 1995
First job ever:
Sheila: I was a secretary at an engineering firm when I was 18.
Mike: I was moving bricks in a brick factory.
What is something you wish you knew when you got started in business?
Mike: It takes a year or two to realize how seasonal it is (here) and how suddenly it switches on and off. I remember that first Christmas (we were here), we didn’t have enough bikes. You hear tales, but you don’t believe it until you’re in it.
Sheila: We’ve doubled our inventory since we started.
Favorite way to spend a day off:
Sheila: I do wildlife photography.
Mike: It depends on the time of year, but, weirdly enough, the stuff we do (kayaking and biking) is the stuff we do on days off.
Biggest challenge:
Sheila: Keeping everyone (staff) happy.
Mike: We’re very fortunate at the moment; we have a lot of good staff (members).
Typical day on the job:
Sheila: I’m behind the desk serving the customers, taking reservations and organizing pickups, deliveries and kayak tours.
Mike: I’m doing the kayak tours, fixing bikes, running kayaks about and (doing) deliveries.
Business idol:
Mike: Richard Branson. He has remained completely ethical as well as being a very good businessman. You never hear any dirt on him, because he’s always done things correctly.
Where do you see your business in five years?
Sheila: We could do with a bigger store, but we like the location we are in now.
Mike: Business-wise, it would be nice to have more time off.
Number of employees when started: Four
Number of employees today: Six
Info: Call 346-1797, visit siestasportsrentals.com, or follow Siesta Sports Rentals on Facebook for more information.
