A Real Job. So Why Doesn't It Pay?
The jobs that keep our communities moving, provide a valuable service and require real skills don't always pay what there worth.
Take your local bike shop owner.
They may be working long hours, taking home very little for the time, effort and risk involved. They might even have their wife or partner helping out just to keep the business running. There's nothing new about this. For the last 40 years, many independent bike shops have operated on passion, hard work and a commitment to serving their local community.
But the landscape has changed. Running the same type of business costs more than ever, while customers are increasingly time-poor and can compare prices online, 24/7. This shift has been gathering pace for at least 15 years.
Of course, every business is different. Location, overheads, customer base and how long a business has been established all play a part in profitability.
But running a shop means carrying a lot of responsibility and risk:
Rent, business rates, insurance and loan repayments.
Wages, holiday pay, sick pay and pensions.
Buying stock, new bikes, parts and tools.
Long opening hours, administration and all the other demands of running a business.
Once the bills are paid, how much is actually left?
Meanwhile, people are investing their money in the stock market, crypto and other assets rather than putting it into traditional small businesses. For some, the potential returns may look more attractive than the time, risk and hard work involved in running a shop.
So, what's the answer?
What if you could take your skills and build a business around a different model?
What About Working for Yourself?
A mobile bicycle and e-Bike servicing business could offer a different way forward.
Lower start-up costs than opening a traditional shop.
Start part-time and build up at your own pace.
Work around your lifestyle, rather than having to keep shop doors open all day.
Build your own customer base and develop relationships within your local community.
And you don't necessarily have to do it alone.
At Cycle Tech UK, were building a UK-wide network of independent Cycle Technicians, supporting mechanics who want to establish and grow their own businesses.
Perhaps its time to stop asking how we can keep doing the same thing and start asking what else is possible.
"My favorite employer was myself" - Warren Buffett
Could working for yourself be the next step in your career?
Id be interested to hear your thoughts. If you're a mechanic who's curious about starting a mobile bike servicing business, leave a comment or get in touch.
