Introducing Alex Moore, owner and operator of Rhumb Line Bicycle Shop—the first female-owned bike shop on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Moore opened Rhumb Line in July 2016 for two short months, and reopened in April 2017 for the shop’s first full season. We spoke with Moore about what it’s like to own and operate a small business in Nova Scotia. Here’s what she had to say.
What inspired you to open Rhumb Line Bicycle Shop?
I want to encourage people to actively explore Nova Scotia and our local town of Lunenburg, a beautiful coastal region that boasts some of the best cycling in the world. I believe that an active life is a good life, and I see cycling as a great vessel for exercising that standard. Because cycling is a low impact activity, it’s great for many different ages, body types and fitness levels.
What do you enjoy most about being a small business operator in Nova Scotia?
I enjoy being a small business owner because it allows me the opportunity to create change. It is like making a pot of seafood chowder: I get to choose where the ingredients come from and which spices are added to the mix. The outcome at Rhumb Line is a family-oriented, Canadian-made, quality-crafted shop.
What are your greatest challenges as a small business operator in the province?
Balance. There are a lot of responsibilities that come with running your own small business, which means balancing that weight with my life outside the shop.
What is working in Nova Scotia’s tourism industry like?
So far, my experience with the tourism industry locally has been delightful. Businesses work together and share knowledge and experiences, particularly between other small female business owners—the attitude is encouraging and supportive!
How do you see your business evolving over the next few years?
I can see our guided bike tours becoming more popular over the next couple of years because they're lots of fun for families, groups and couples. We design custom routes for our riders and always aim to showcase local food and drink, sites, routes, and trails. Exploring by bike gives us the joy of seeing, smelling, feeling and tasting our coastal routes at a pace that is undeniably exhilarating.
When you aren’t leading bike tours in Lunenburg, what can we find you doing?
When I'm not leading local bike tours, you can find me working in the shop as a bicycle mechanic, a job that is highly underrepresented by females in Nova Scotia and most of the world. I was lucky enough to apprentice with one of the best mechanics and teachers in the area, Al Heubach, who has a wealth of knowledge and generosity.
What advice would you give someone considering starting a small business?
Go for it! Just don't bite off more than you can chew. Start small and work within your means.
Small Business Week runs from October 15-21. Check out bdc.ca for small business events in your area.
For more information on Rhumb Line Bicycle Shop, visit lunenburgbikeshop.com.