Well, we all know of the problems he's had in his personal life over the last half-year or so. Didn't realize that the business that most people associate him with wasn't financially doing so well either.
Jesse James shuts down West Coast Choppers after 18 years
Jesse James has made the decision to shut down his West Coast Choppers customizing shop in favor of focusing his efforts full time on his business in Texas, the Austin Speed Shop. Jesse of course moved to Austin with his three kids from his two exes to be close to the other ex he so publicly wronged, Sandra Bullock. TMZ reports that Jesse just wants to build his other business, but I would bet the decision is a financial one. He also owns a fast food restaurant, Cisco Burger, right next door to West Coast Choppers in Long Beach, CA. The fate of that business is unclear.
In 2006, James admitted that customizing bikes isn’t profitable and that most of his revenue comes from tie-in businesses that enhance the brand like his clothing line. He said “We probably lose money on every motorcycle we build still, and luckily we have other businesses to support the bike shop.” Earlier profiles of his company have their revenue derived almost 60% from clothing sales including t-shirts, sneakers and belt buckles. Jesse sells his clothing through Walmart, and is being sued by a clothing company who claims they were cut out of the deal. Now that his brand is in the crapper I’m sure those other businesses aren’t doing as well and can no longer float the shop. He held those eBay auctions following the scandal and I would guess he was feeling the pinch back then. This is what happens when you tie your business success to your image. When your name is mud, your business suffers.
FULL ARTICLE LINK -
http://www.celebitchy.com/122410/jesse_james_shuts_down_west_coast_choppers_after_18_years/
Topic: Jesse James closes West Coast Choppers (Read 1551 times)