S3E20: YMI Talking to Andy and Sheena Wells from Aardvark Sports Shop

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Before they owned Aardvark Sports Shop, Andy & Sheena were just two people who believed in what running can do for a community. Today’s episode goes deep into why they show up every day, for the people, the stories, the life-changing moments, and the purpose that drives Team Vark. 

You won't want to miss this inspiring story!

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Transcript

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A lot of the folks who do work there were customer customers of ours, or we're in our training program Teamvark and they want to drink the juice like I want to be a part of this. I want to give back. And, when you're able to help someone in a practical way, or get someone from walking to running or just from couch to walking, it can be hugely impactful in their lives. But in return, you get something you get filled with. Yeah, the joy of helping someone in that. It's priceless. Yeah. Welcome to YMI Talking a podcast where the guests are so good, you'll wonder why the host is even talking. In each episode, you will hear one of the leaders of the Lehigh Valley’s Vibrant Business Hub. They will tell you the keys to their success, the mistakes they've made, and what they have in store for the future. Here is the host of YMI Talking from YMI Insurance, Jimi Honochick. All right. That is me, Jimi Honochick,. and I am joined by Emily Ellis. Emily, how are you? Good. How are you? I'm good, I'm good. Do you run at all? No. I was thinking the whole time I used to because I played basketball. But now I'm enjoying, like, the fact that I'm not forced to run. I got so if there is something, peaceful about it that I. Yeah, there is. I should get back into it. I told someone like, I hate it while I'm doing it. And then afterwards it's like, no, I really enjoyed every minute of that. And so I don't know what the brain like disconnect is, but it is. There is something really cool. There definitely is. I should definitely get back into it. You know what else is cool? The owners of Aardvark. Very cool. Yes. Andy and Sheena, we're so lucky to have them on here. They took over Aardvark very recently. And have done, you know, continued the legacy that is Aardvark. And I think you heard, I don't know if you were familiar beforehand, but you definitely heard, like, the impact that it has in the area. Yeah. Yeah, it sounds like it's really big in the community. Yeah. So I think I'm not even gonna spend any more time talking about it because it's so good. Andy and Sheena are really inspiring. Like, what Aardvark does is beyond running. They they have built a community, and you hear that multiple times. A lot of people talk about community, but they're really actively out there building it. So we're going to dive into that right now. Let's go boom. I’m a novice runner. But I love running. And Aardvark is a true gem of Bethlehem, of the Lehigh Valley, really. And of the running community. And I fell in love the first time I stepped foot in there, because they measured my steps and made sure that they were proper, but also because the people there are incredible. And I think a lot of that, you know, comes to the ownership and the culture. And we happen to have the two people driving that right in front of me today. Sheena and Andy Wells, thank you so much for coming here. Thanks. Thanks for having us, Jimi and Emily. Absolutely. So let's start with the story. I mean, you guys are relatively new to owning Aardvark. So maybe you walk me through how we got there. And Andy looks to me. The radio sign on. Deodorant. Yeah. Anyway, it's a inside [joke]. So in 2021, first of all, I've been there 13 years, Andy. 12. And in the earlier months of 2021, I went to Bruce. The previous owner asked, hey, Sheena, he pulled me aside. Andy wasn't there at that time. He was, working there part time, his full time. He was flying. So I use my stay at home corporate pilot husband. So nice. I was at work and Andy or Bruce said, hey, I gotta ask you something. Hey, I plan to retire in four years. Because. Do you think he would ever consider owning Aardvark? He goes, and I don't want you to ask, Andy. I just I'm asking you. Yeah, I guess I want I want to know if that's something you think you would want to do. So he asked me to consider that and think about it before. To what was your first thought when that was presented to you like that? I'm like, I don't know how I'm not going to tell Andy this. And that Andy would be his mind would be blown. And I'm like, what an opportunity. Yeah, huge it is because it's such a gem right in the Lehigh Valley. Like I think a lot it's it's a community. It's more than just a store. It's a community. Yeah. And so that must have been a big decision for you guys. Yeah. It was hard for me to take you. Yeah. So then do you have to tell Bruce, like, do you consult with Andy? Do you just tell Bruce? Yeah, I want to do this. Like, what's the next step? Well, I think I want you talking to me about it because he knew that I was. I would dive right in. Yeah, yeah, I think he knew that I would respect Bill. Heck, yeah. Yeah. Okay, let's do this. Well, make sure that Sheena was. It was saying yes because you wanted to say yes. You're like Andy happy? Yeah. Oh. And so did you want to say yes? Like you knew it was a big opportunity? Yes. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Scary. Yeah. Absolutely. I'm not a huge risk taker. Andy is much more entrepreneurial than I am, really. I just like working hard, being kind to people. Which I mean, Aardvark does a great job of. But this is this is something different now you're responsible for you're taking on the responsibility of what is an organization, a community, in a sense. And people like walk me through kind of with that transition. All right. You've gone from an employee. Now you guys are owners. What is that like? It was it was pretty smooth, I would say. Yeah. And Bruce coming. Yeah. He was there 25. Yes. 25 years. Yeah. And he, he had ownership down to a T. Yeah. And he's like before he left is like I don't do anything, you know. And of course I was like yeah, I mean he was joking. But man he did it. I wanted to jump right easily. And I think one of the big things that made it easy and why it was a big yes for me personally, like outside of Andy being very excited about it was, we already have a huge team in place, like the people, if you don't have the people like I, we can't do this by ourselves. Yeah. And, we have an exceptional group of humans who show up every day for each other and the whole community, so that that was the number one that was already in place, which is huge to find, hard to find. And then I think the experience that we both had with Aardvark is another reason why it was a yes for me, and that was an easy transition. So we already had the people in place. And yes, there's, you know, always wrinkles in the things and you have to kind of iron those out and there's adjustments for everyone, you know, changes adjustment. You know, it's adjustment period. But the people all the time and experience that we had there, like we've kind of already, you know, and it is sort of a well-oiled machine, you know, it has its kinks, but it's, you know, it's it's been relatively, you know, easing and transitioning. Andy has taken the role of what Bruce mostly did, like, you know, the back end of stuff. And I do a lot of that too. But, It's there are some interviews where I end up with like way more questions than I expect it to. And that's right. Now I want to go in a million different directions right now with you guys. The first is, I think the team. Right, because that is something that stands out. If you've ever visited Aardvark, you know that it's yes, it's a friendly team, but it's a knowledgeable team and it feels like you're getting like, truly white glove service when you go there. So how has Aardvark built up that team? Like what? What brings people like you there to work in the first place? And then how do you keep those people there? My angel talking. Yeah. Well, that was the other place I wanted to go. Is the dynamic here because you guys are almost, I feel like different in a lot of ways, but it probably makes you better because of that. So let's do the dynamic and then we'll go back to the team. So how do you guys work together? How do you feel like, the two of you. We would definitely balance each other out a ton. Like I got I got ideas on firing off crazy stuff. And she's like, dude, settle up, settle down. Yes. Think about it. I'm too tired of turning into the computer nerd. Now. And, you know, working on the computer stuff. Less social stuff. She's more front end of things. It's a good. It's a good. So are you the doer? And you're the planner. I'm an activator. I am a doer and planner. Yeah, it's a little bit like. It depends on the like. We try to stay in each other in our own lane. Yeah, but if he has an idea and if it makes sense, I will activate, activate it and check in on it, and, you know, and then you will do things to like. You had an idea on yesterday and you're already like, put a sticker on it. And I'm like, what is what is this? I don't even know about it. So we're both kind of implementers. And you. And I'm. Yeah. Which I think is important. Right. In in owning a business like yeah you can have ideas, but if you can't be the one to implement them, it's not going to go anywhere. Yeah. So good. All right. So that's, that's a little bit about the dynamic. The team again is so good there. How do you what attracts people to work at Aardvark. I think generally people are coming from like the the customer or the community side of it where they've experienced, say what you've experienced or they've been a part of team work a lot of the folks who do work there, we're customer, customers of ours or were in our training program TeamVark and they wanted to drink the juice. Like, I want to be a part of this. I want to give back. And, when you're able to help someone in a practical way, or get someone from walking to running or just from couch to walking, it can be hugely impactful in their lives. But in return, you get something you get filled with. Yeah, the joy of helping someone in that is priceless. Yeah, that's got to be really cool to yes, help someone find the right pair of shoes, which is what you guys do so well. It was like like I was saying, you really measure people's gates, and you make sure that the shoe. Actually, I'll go personal here. And I came in and I said, give me the same pair of shoe that I had last time. And you basically said, no, we're not doing that. It was I that brought. And you spent the next 30 minutes with me making sure that everything felt right, and it looked right. And we ended up with a different, complete, different brand of shoe. And so that is something that you guys do really well. But the other thing I think is it's got to be so rewarding to hear people's stories, right? People like you said who were just walkers and now they're runners or people who have kind of transformed their health habits. Talk to me about that. I mean, I imagine you experience that there. Yeah. Do you have a story? Yeah. I helped one lady. She was in a wheelchair for forever, and she rolled in. Yeah. And she's like, I want to. I want to start walking. Yeah, I know. Yeah. Cool. Got her in a pair of shoes and, you know, she was. She got her up. She took, like, a couple shuffles. Yeah. But then. That was like years, I think. I remember you're saying it was years she was in a wheelchair, had not taken a step in years. And you helped her out of that chair to help her. Walk as well. That's insane. Yeah, yeah. And she, she, messaged back or emailed saying like, hey, you know, I'm I'm moving. Yeah, I'm up and about now. Wow. And had similar stories like that too. Yeah. Team yeah has had that kind of experience. I mean you would. Yeah. You would have a book of a small like little small stories from I mean, if you think about our staff and our team who work with people and how many people a day they oh, we can have a little book of small stories of. I'm picturing the Aardvark coffee book here. Oh. Oh, that's a good idea. Yes. I remember, there. I mean, there's so many stories that, I was we were cheering at the Running festival, and this was last year, and I remember the girl, helping her before TeamVark even started, before, you know, the whole training session for that half marathon came and helping on a bench. And she was newer to running, just starting like 5K and and she, she's like. And I told her about TeamVark and the training program for that. And she's like, you think I can do that? I'm like, yeah, I think you could do that. Just like you can just sign up. You're going to have a great community of people. They're going to help float you when you're struggling, you're going to help someone else. And so she did. She signed up. And I remember at 7 to 8 miles at the cheer station and she I saw her coming by and I'm like, yeah, I'm sure on. And she points at me and she goes, I'm here because of you biggest smile. Oh my God. I was like, crying. I mean, it's that kind of stuff. Literally. Someone comes off the course, walks up to me. I her name was Linda and she goes, I got these shoes from you. They are great. I love them. Like she was like picking up her foot. And I'm like, you're racing like felt the urge. Yeah. These are so wonderful. And you never know how something so small. Yeah. Like feeling comfortable there. And it sounds so minute. But really it's, it's it's a part of what people do daily. It's a part of.... So we're essentially a part of their lives. They lace up their shoes. They're in, you know, a pair of socks. I will always try to talk someone to a pair of Junji Toe Shocks. I got Junji Toe Socks because of you. Yeah. That's the gloves on your feet. Yeah. But, like, we're almost a part of people's lives daily and helping them and essentially helping them move, move in whatever capacity they can and encourage them to keep doing this. So and that, I think, is huge for. Just. The next step. Yeah. You know, being a better person, being a healthier individual, being happier and then paying it forward to the next person. Yeah. I can tell you, no one has ever pointed at me and said, you sold me my insurance policy. I'm waiting for that day. I, but seriously, talk to me. You know, the community has come up several times, and you sent me some thoughts before you came on here. And it's very clear that that is something that's, I think drives both of you. And it's kind of a purpose for you. So talk to me, you know, about what community means to you and what it means in particular at Aardvark. You know. I, I just love the like how aardvark is such an identifiable, identifiable brand. Yeah. The cachet, not just even in the Lehigh Valley, but just everywhere. I was down in Hilton Head, now, in my aardvark singlet on Get Out and someone's like, Aardvark sports shop, east of Bethlehem, I'm like, yeah, yeah. There's, you know, I was running Boston and, a runner, a Boston runner. Yeah. I had my Aardvark shirt on he goes, Aardvark! And you were cheering and I was cheering. Why you like this? And they saw my red Aaardvark shirt. Yeah, I don't know where they're from, but, the just the reach that we have, is, is incredible as somehow people have just always floated through Bethlehem and picked up a pair of shoes, a pair of shorts or sunglasses or whatever. And you can really do that anywhere. But it's how people leave, how they feel when they leave. Yeah, I tell you, try. Feeling right once you once you go to Aardvark, you're like, yeah, you really are. It might as well get a tattoo. There are a. Few out there that says we. You guys should open up a parlor right there. Like in house. Yeah. So, like, what do you want? If you like your service, get a tattoo. Yeah. Oh. Yeah. It really is. Feeling like you belong somewhere and can keep coming back. Being a hub where you can meet others who are like minded, who show up and cheer. We're going down to the Philly Marathon on. This is our fifth. I will be there as well. Not running. I will be cheering you too and drinking a little bit, but never, but we have a friend who we're going to be cheering on. Yeah, yeah. So so that is I mean we this our fifth year doing it and there is so much energy exchange with people to be able to encourage someone in some of the most kind of difficult or struggle part, like we're in mild 1822 and encourage someone to do something that's very hard. Yeah. Is going to get someone through like and that's community. It's showing up every day. It's having a place where you belong and you know, we have core values that we like to think that we live every day. I try to show up every day with them. And it's we are encouraging, knowledgeable, caring and fun. And I hope when people leave that they felt well cared for, encouraged, that they had fun while they were doing it. Emily, you better be jotting that down, I think. Perfect soundbite because it is true. That's I mean what you guys do and it's the vibe that you give off. I'm curious. Again, there's like 800 directions I want to go with you guys. But the community part is there is the sort of like feel good stuff that we're talking about. But I think practically you do a lot of things to make that community happen. Can you talk about, you know, whether it's, running clubs that you might have or the app or like how you really bring that community tactically together? Well, when year round we have a group run Wednesday night, 6 p.m.. And anyone can join, we have some of our team members who show up, and they'll make sure that people get back, like, even the back of the Packers. The party Pacers. Yeah. It's grown from, I think originally just a handful of people when it started years ago to 40 to 50 people show up. Wow. We'll invite other places in the Valley. This year for our huge umbrella theme, it was highlighting our core values each quarter. The ones I just mentioned. So we kind of wrap the events around that. For instance, in the care quarter, second quarter, it was, we had a Bradbury Sullivan come in for a pride month, and they had a table there. They talked about their what they do. People came and wore their pride colors, mental health awareness month. We had Nami come. We did a run and a community walk, and we got to look at their establishment right down the street from us on Broad Street. And they got to promote their 5K and their services. We have Oh my God, there's so many things. Yeah, yeah. And for knowledge, we had the, World Heritage site with Mark and University came, so people got to go on a walk, while the runners went out and look at all the sights and see little, little about what's in their community. Yeah. We've partnered with the running kind, the, founder and owner of that. She's our marketing manager. But she also, started her own, Zero Carbon Trail racing company. We go out and talk to women move for health, and, for strides striders. We kind of promote that. And there's other run clubs to archive of. And then you know we we really try to yeah bring everybody together and just be like not just promote Aardvark, but hey there's a great running club here or there. Yeah. Go check it out. So guys like, we're all just part of one big hive. Really? Yeah. One big community. Yeah. So instead of, like, going and doing the same thing every single day. Yeah, it's very comfortable to do that, right? I'm going to go out and run the same block by myself every single day. Stop describing me. Thank you. But what if you got to go a different direction and pop in and see a different part of your neighborhood or community? Yeah. And then when if you got to do that with other people and then now you're really starting to expand that. That means like you're you're being exposed to new people, new business, a new experience. And they are too. So that interconnectedness, I think, is essential for a thriving community. And I don't know. And and I love this area. He's from Auburn, New York, like the Finger Lakes. I am mostly from this area, but we really landed in Bethlehem, and Lehigh Valley because it is, I think, a community that is continuing to grow and thrive so that they I can't describe the word I don't know, I just feel like there's a sense of people wanting people to thrive and grow. In just little downtown Bethlehem, and meeting some my other business owners, they really, really want to know how you're doing, and they want to collaborate and they want to come visit. So I think that's something special that not every community I talked to people who live elsewhere. It's like, yeah, not at all. I was going to use the word. I'm going to say it's special. There's something special about Bethlehem. And I, you know, I was deciding which chamber board to be a part of, and I chose Bethlehem ultimately, and it's exactly like you described it. Is everyone going to each other's events and making sure everyone's doing well and just being there for each other. And I don't think you get that everywhere. Yeah, but all right, you you started going the direction that I want to go. We know about Aardvark now and all the great things it's doing in the community in Bethlehem. Who are you guys? Give us your stories. How did Sheena and Andy get here? What are Sheena and Andy's backgrounds? Who are we? We are Sh-Andy So, yes, you're. Literally the staff. Call us Shandy I love that we are starting to merge into one person. Gosh. Also a very refreshing beer. Oh. Oh, she's okay. So we're getting a tattoo parlor and we're going to start brewing chandies Yes. I'm down for this. This is great. You're actually really giving us some good ideas. Yeah, so I'm. Not insuring any of this. Tattoos and beer. But. Okay, so you guys have started to come together, but tell me about kind of your separate stories and how you got to meet each other and how you've kind of progressed since then. All right. I ended up down in, Pennsylvania. Really just kind of by chance, my sister married a guy from, from Allentown. A mutual boy. Yeah. And his best man on the flight school. And we were down in North Carolina, and we drove past an airport, and both of us went, oh, okay. Like, look at those airplanes. Yeah. And he's like, hey, do you want to do I'll learn how to fly. I'm like, yeah, I've been wanting to want to do this forever. Yeah. And he's like, move down, Pennsylvania. Get out. All right. So I was like, I'll. Just become a pilot. All right. Yeah. It was like four months later I moved down, January 2005 and started up, oh. Tracey has an awesome program. Okay. Aviation program. And, got my licenses and certificates and all that other good stuff, and. Yeah, that's where I met Sheena, and. Yeah, I was flying the flight simulator and she was getting a tour. Okay. And, that was that. Look at that. She waved at me, and I ignored him because I was on the mission. Yeah, I was me. And only on one other girl in the flight school. So I was like, you know, I'm not messing around with these boys business. Yes, we're friends. For gonna. Help us. Five, six, seven, two, three years. Yeah. So 2006, I so he was a year ahead of me. I also joined LTC flight professional flight program and, quit my job. I was working in food and beverage industry for a while at country club. And, so I quit that job to be more immersed in aviation and worked at Queen City Airport, flying, fueling airplanes, line service technician, that type of thing. Yeah. And I also went to flight school at Gateway, where he was working as office manager, flight instructor, eventually. And then, yeah, then I took a turn to do air traffic control. Just. And I didn't want to live the life of a pilot being on the road alive, for lack of better terms, but. So everything transferred over to air traffic control pretty easily. And then while I was out going to school in Western PA, I started training for my first marathon because what else are you going to do? I only had a couple classes. Right. Now. We had just gotten married in 2010. Wow. And I left him within three months to go away for a year for ATC school. And then I came back and then there was a big government hiring freeze, and I was like, I need a part time job until I can get replaced with the FAA. And I applied at Banana Republic, Starbucks, and Aardvark. My friend Abby Michelini was working there, who got me to run. Yeah, she got me into running. And, I got a call back from Aardvark. Went through three interviews with Bruce. Wow. I'm like, wow, that's a process. This is actually really chill, right? Yeah. So he's a beer and fishing kind of guy, but maybe. That's how he finds the good people, right? Yeah. And that's how you've built that community. Yeah. There's Bruce has given a lot to this community. And it's he was a pleasure to work for. And even on a personal level, he's been a big support in my life. Yeah. All right. What does this is the big question. What does running mean to you guys. Because it's more than just a hobby, obviously. So what does it mean to you be like this. The phrase running is life like, yeah, I guess like running. It's like. But it is. I mean kind of yeah. Yeah yeah yeah, yeah, it truly is a lifestyle. And, I use it to just clear the brain, keep the body healthy, set goals. It's really there's a lot, a lot of reasons why we run. Yeah, definitely stress relief. I you I mean, when I was younger, I used as a way to just kind of get through some tough spots in my life, and it was just free therapy. You came back feeling clear. Cleansed. Like this internal shower of. You just got rid of the the ick. Yeah. Or that like. Yeah. How long have you been running then? 2012, I like to say I in my senior year of high school, I did that right before senior year started running with the summer unofficial training. The cross-country coach asked me to, to join in, and I sprained my ankle on a walnut around the ACL. Yeah, that was in a boot, but, I don't get the detail of that too much, but the why? But it was. Yeah. Oh. Okay. And that was, that was not in 2012. That was something. That was in high school. I was not. I tell. So I like to say 2012. I did do a little tiny but little bite size of running my senior year, like for maybe three weeks to a month. But 2012, my friend Abby came over. Her husband actually worked at, the airport with me and had them over met her. She says, hey, I'm going on a six mile run tonight when I come like, sure. And I did, and I signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon and and that's that. So, that's how I got into running. So I was later in life, so 26/27 Okay. Yeah. So when I started running and then he was a soccer player growing up. Man. It's. Just so he would only run up to six miles with me. After. That. I am really bored. Like I get bored. This is terrible. Yeah. And plus, we, didn't know anything about hydration fueling. Yeah. I didn't know anything about it. Yeah. Knew about it. Didn't really care to look into it anymore. Yeah. I was even on the wrong, totally wrong shoes. And, you know, out there trying to crush three miles on my sambas. Yeah. So this is bad after I didn't eat or drink all day. Yeah, yeah, it's like running. sucks.... Which is very important to you eating, I gather. Yeah. Yeah, I'm kind of the same way. Always. Always eating. Yeah, I gotta go. Gotta have snacks. Yeah. My staff knows if I've gone, like, more than two hours, we're in trouble. Things are going to go downhill pretty fast. I a lot of chocolate on it. Yeah. So, yeah, we'll have a little more chocolates. It's nice. So if you guys could give one tip to someone who's a runner or wants to be a runner, what would you give us? Like one piece of advice. Slow down. Yeah. You're right. Yeah. I don't like listening to that. Yeah, it's. If you give two pieces of advice. Thank you for the first one. Find a running buddy, run the community. Yeah. And get out there and do it. Yeah. Like, it's. It's not as bad as it. It's not bad as it seems. Yeah. Especially when you're when you're got the community. When you got the right stuff. Yeah. Yeah. I'm believer that people need people. So I have to say it is very rare I'm running by myself. I will do it and I'll be happy doing it. But I mean, it is so much more fun with friends. As someone who's only ran by myself like you can talk to people while you're running because I'm like struggling for breath while I'm. Running first to slow down and yeah, yeah. You got to keep listening to this tip. So, talking pace. Yeah, that's. A good indication without all these gadgets and watches and heart rate monitors. Can you have a conversation? Yeah. That's your pace. Okay. Not always your pacing. There's a place for workouts. Yeah. You people should be doing a lot more. Interesting. Than to zone one training. So I am learning this myself. Yeah, because I am not a slowed down kind of person. Yeah. So I'm like, all right, let's do 60 miles an hour all the time. But you do miss things in life and in running if you don't start slowing down. This is turning into a therapy session. Yeah. All right. We are.... We're out of time. So we got a couple things to do before we wrap this up. The first is we are sponsored by Z craft. They are one of the best coffee coffee shops in the Lehigh Valley. You go there, you get a sip of coffee. But as you know, sometimes sip happens in life. So when is a time that sip happened, you guys. Well, I was, I was in eighth grade. Oh, I'm excited for this story. Yeah, in for my science book. Yeah. And, I forget everything, the whole subject on it, but, yeah, I had to read deodorant, and I just said deodorant. And. Just like. I mean, it was in eighth grade. No big deal, right? But I was embarrassed. Yeah, yeah, everybody started laughing. I thought, like, a week later, people, I forget, right? In my late 20s or 30s, I go back home and I'm in a sandwich shop, and this person, I totally forgot, I sort of recommend, you know. Yeah. So many years. She's like, are you Andy Wells? So. Yeah. Yeah. It was nice to see you. Yeah, yeah. How's it going? She's like you said, deodorant. You’ve got to be kidding me man. That kind of reset a whole different like you brought up that. Yeah. You know that's really a double experience. For. Mary for her. Great. Yeah. Yes. To that. Day. That's really funny. Yeah I admit though I that's not bad if that's your only one. Yeah. And I've done plenty of them. I probably should be embarrassed. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. But yeah that's. What I say all the time on it. Like I'm not. Yeah. I'm not super embarrassed. I'll own it. I make lots of mistakes. You just kind of. You just got on it. Yeah. You sure have a huge, embarrassing story. That's okay. It's embarrassing for my sister, but not my. Well, then anything that we didn't hit, that we should have hit anything about Aardvark or running or you guys that you feel, you know, this is kind of your platform to say anything. Yeah, I think we're. We covered a lot of stuff. I know, that's cool. Yeah, I would just say just keep moving. Like, that's. That is our our mission. Come join us. Come join us like that. And it is, is right there downtown Bethlehem. And, this is not, you know, me blowing smoke. It is truly an experience. It's unlike anywhere else you can, I guess, go on line by running shoes, but it's not worth it. Like going into Aardvark is is truly an experience, and they take care of you and the place to go. Our neighbor and I'll just real quick, our neighbor in Bethlehem, he lives above us. He was an avid runner and celebrity in Bethlehem forever. His name is Aladdin and oh, love. Yes. Yeah. And he know I you know, I had an incredible experience with Aladdin and I wanted to repay him. And so I went to Aardvark, got a gift certificate and gave it to Aladdin. And you should have seen how happy he was. Like, he, he's a big lover of you guys and what you do. Yeah, man, I always we I in my spirit runner. Yeah I it in the morning I'd be driving him. He's just waving to people are honking. Yes. But thank you. That has me. Have you seen him. Yeah. So he lives above our office. Oh. So, yeah, I in Bethlehem. In Bethlehem? Oh, yeah. You have another office? Yes. Allentown. Bethlehem and Stroudsburg, actually. But yeah. So I see him pretty regularly. And to this day, like, he brings us cookies, like, just truly the nicest human being to ever meet. But he's also. We haven't we always would honk at him when we were driving to work. And then one, one mark that we just had it in the car, and then we drove past him. He pulled over like, you know, come get a pair of shoes. He came and got it. Oh get out. Oh, how cool is that? Yeah. And he's and they always said it's a good day if I see a lot and it is even driving by. Yeah I think he, he got injured. So he basically runs on a treadmill now. Oh so we don't see him out as well. Oh that's fine. But he's still he's still out there running. He is. So is is it well known throughout the. Absolutely. And Aardvark is as well. Like I said you guys are incredible. You're doing incredible things. And we are lucky to have you in Bethlehem, in the Lehigh Valley and lucky to have you here on the podcast. So thanks to. Me. Before I let you go, can I race you guys? Sure. Yeah, yeah. All right. I'm thinking out in the parking lot, just for fun. You, the three of us up against each other. None of us came prepared for a race. None of us are in racing clothes. But, I think this would be really fun. Okay. Yeah. I'm. I'm fully expecting to get my butt kicked, but I'm really already. Ran today, and I'm I I'm a little cranky. My hands are cranky. Oh, good. Thank you guys again so much for coming on. Oh, yeah. Thanks for having us. Appreciate it. Thanks for listening to another episode of the Why Am I talking podcast. If you enjoyed this and want to hear more content from amazing personalities in the Valley, please subscribe, leave a rating and drop us a quick review.