My First Business - Bicycle Shop
When I was 12 years old I opened my first business, a bicycle repair shop in my neighborhood out of my parents garage. The kids in the neighborhood knew they could bring their bikes to me for quick and inexpensive repairs.
The shop was open most days and I handled all bike repairs but most were just basic items like replacing tires, cleaning gears, installing new brake pads, etc.
For a young rntrepreneur this was a great introduction to having my own business. The bike idea was such a good business to start because parent didn’t want to hassle with dragging a bike to a distant bike shop when a kid in the area would do the work inexpensively and quickly, without fuss.
Little did I know that I would use some basic sales skills as a 12 year old. When out riding with other kids I would look at their bikes and invite the rider and bike over to the garage for a quick fix to the problem.
As far as equipment, if you have a basic tool set, repairing bikes is not difficult. There is little up-front cost to start a neighborhood shop and it is a great first business for a young person during a summer off school.
