TIM FARMER
Owner/President
Tim Farmer is a life-long resident of the Concord, New Hampshire area who has been lucky enough to have the same really cool job since he was 13 years old. Tim began his career in the sporting goods retail industry working at S&W Sports, a local small bicycle store located in Concord. He swept floors, took out trash, and cleaned and assisted with building bikes. He worked hard, learning every day. He was also getting paid. He loved his job. He committed to staying at S&W, working alongside the owners and fellow employees, gaining knowledge in every aspect of the business. His goal at age 18 was to become an owner of the business. Tim never wavered and made his dream come true in 1998.
Before owning the business, Tim assisted with growing the store’s inventory. Between 1982 and 1988, he was instrumental in bringing the BMX (bicycle Motorcross) and Skateboard Departments to S&W Sports. Always respectful of the owner, Steve Wareing, Tim worked with him to introduce new ideas. He understood the importance of merchandising and introducing the latest equipment that would sell at the store. His passion for these sports and his forethought of being able to add them to S&W’s lines helped them become one of the first largest skateboard shops in New Hampshire at that time. Throughout these years, Tim continued to talk about the most popular sporting goods with the owner. Snowboards, and alpine ski equipment came into the store in the mid ‘80’s alongside S&W’s main stable, bicycle and Nordic ski gear.
Since the late ‘90s, Tim diligently worked to grow the business. In 2007, it became one of the largest bike, ski and snow board retail and service shops in New Hampshire. The business grew, operating in three store fronts all located within a block or two of the main store. Managing in three spaces became an issue of efficiency of running the business. In 2007, Tim’s solution was to purchase a building which had been vacant for years, and had formerly housed a car dealership. After months of renovation, S&W Sports combined the three locations into one spacious site on South Main Street in Concord.
This acquisition was brought about thanks to Dave Kraft, Vice President of Small Business Banking for KeyBank, in New Hampshire. Tim had talked with several banks about the benefits of moving the business from three sites to one. He saw an ad in the local paper with Dave Kraft’s name in it and made a call. Dave reviewed Tim’s plan, understood the efficiency, believed in Tim, and saw his dedication to the community and his business. KeyBank wrote the Small Business Administration loan, and although they do not have a physical location in New Hampshire, their commitment to local business is evident. Building a relationship, both business and personal, with Dave Kraft has been a highlight of Tim’s career. Dave checks in on Tim regularly, although it is not part of his job description. Tim feels good that someone from KeyBank still has in interest in how S&W’s business is running.
Since the move in 2007, Tim has been able to schedule a portion of each day to give back to the community where he grew up. As an operator/owner, he interacts with employees and customers daily and is able to take that feedback to the various boards and committees he is involved with. He feels it is important to each person he talks with and for greater Concord’s continued growth.
Tim maintains a healthy balance. He still enjoys his same cool job at S&W Sports, he is an involved member of the small business community in Concord, is a proud husband, father and also best friend to his Bull dogs, Lilly and Eli.
Tim is a contributor to the community in the following ways:
• Member of Better Business Bureau of Concord, 1998-present • Member of Concord Chamber of Commerce, 2000-present • Member of “Peddling for Payson” fundraiser, 2007-present • Board of Directors for the Concord YMCA, 2010 • Member of Main Street Concord, 2008-present • Vice President of Non-Profit “Green Concord,” 2010-present. Member of “Green Concord, 2007-present • Board member of Concord’s Transportation Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC), 2007-present. Members of this volunteer organization work to identify and promote Concord as a bicycle friendly city. • Founding member - one of two founders, of Central N.H. Bicycling Coalition, a non-profit for bike safety in New Hampshire, 2008-present • Citizen of the Year Award from the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission, 2010 • Member of National Bicycle Dealers Association, 2007-present • Member of Bicycle League of America, 2007- present • Received Advocacy Leadership Award from Trek Bicycles, 2010 • Hosted a number of community bicycle safety, basic repair classes for new bicyclists as well as local refugees, 2007-present • Donated new bikes for fund raising events for Bike–Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, The American Heart Association & other non-profit organizations, 2007-present • Donated refurbished bicycles to refugees and local population in need of assistance, 2007-present
