She fixes bikes — and breaks barriers along the way

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For Nerline “Lina” Moise, building her business was a complete accident. She was often repairing bicycles for family and friends when they suggested that she offer her services to community members across the city who were too busy to make it to the repair shop.

While attending the National Aviation Academy in 2021, she decided to take their advice to heart and opened her mobile bicycle repair business, She Fixes Bicycles, bringing expert bike techs right to the customer’s doorstep.

“I never thought I would be fixing bicycles. I would have strangers call me, finding me in random places, saying, ‘Hey, come fix my bike for me.’ So, it’s been amazing,” she said.

Moise’s love for bicycles started at a young age after moving from Haiti in 2013 to the United States as a teenager.

“Before I was 13, I barely knew anything about bicycles — not even knowing that I could ride them. When I got to the U.S., I needed a way to get around and the place that I stayed at, they had a lot of bicycles outside. I had asked them to use them. They said, ‘Yes.’ I had to learn how to use it for about a month or two before I was able to get on the road. After teaching myself, I started getting onto YouTube [to learn to do] small repairs and breaks and stuff like that, and also changing tires,” she said.

A year later, Moise said she was placed in foster care and riding her bicycle was a way to help her cope and remain productive, as she had two jobs at the time and it was her primary source of transportation.

Along with the unwavering support of her former foster parents, Sara and Perry Hamerla, these experiences prepared the now adult business owner for her journey into entrepreneurship.

She discussed some of the services she provides for her business today.

“All sorts of services … like a tune up or an overall look on someone’s bike, [including] checking the brakes, checking the shifting, basically any repairs,” said Moise.  “Some people have had me do refurbishing, meaning if they’ve had their bikes in their house for so long, they need help with it, I put it back to life. I work on kids’ bikes, racer bikes, mountain bikes, all sorts of things, even electric bikes as well.”

Asked about the community’s response to her being in the bicycle repair industry as a Black woman, Moise said that it has been amazing.

“Everybody’s so supportive. Everybody [has] been showing me sides of myself that I didn’t even know before. They [learn about my business by] word of mouth. So, if one person found out about it, they usually just go ahead and tell their friends,” she said.

“I really haven’t had any challenges in terms of me being a Black woman. I think it actually has helped me. And also my personality, too. When I talk to them and they get to see who I am, that also helps me a lot. So it’s been great, honestly. [It’s a] great community, and I’m here to serve my community,” she added.

Moise talked about one of the major obstacles she faced when first opening her business, which was the learning curve of actually running a business in real time.

“When I started the business, [it] was right after high school. There are a lot of skills, like in terms of marketing, knowing how to treat people and things I had to learn to overcome. It’s mostly been about learning, keeping an open mind to get new information and [trying] to understand them,” she said.

Moise also talked about the biggest lesson she learned as an entrepreneur since opening her business.

“Two things I would say: Sometimes what you are least expecting is what’s most likely going to happen. You really never know what’s going to happen with your business. So, you just have to keep track of that,” she said. “Another thing I have experienced is that most friends and family, at first, will not support [you]. They will not see the vision, and it is not your job to make them see the vision. With time, that will come.”

She offers advice to Black entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color who may want to open a business of their own.

“Be patient. Everything that comes with starting a business and actually running it has to be on its own timely basis. Taking the time to do research, communicating what your expectations are [is] very important. Mostly, it’s just learning. Do your research. Learn things even if you think you know, double check. Communicate. Those are the main things I would advise anybody to do,” she said.

Lastly, Moise shared why she believes it is important for Black women to be in different and unique entrepreneurial spaces like the bicycle industry.

“In every industry, with different types of [people], we bring different flavors. So if there are other people that [have] been doing it for centuries, as a Black woman — as a Black person, I feel I have brought a different perspective [to] the industry, and I have brought some understanding to people that actually need my service,” she said.

“It’s just a whole different vibe. I still get the job done, but as a Black person, [with] what I’ve gone through in life, it has helped me to keep myself open, keep my mind open, to receive everybody with respect … and listen.”