A passion for cycling and community support: the story of a family business from Brovary.

Brovary, the largest satellite city of Kyiv, is rapidly developing and creating comfortable conditions for entrepreneurs. Here, business initiatives are actively supported, helping small and medium enterprises not only to survive but also to thrive. A shining example of successful entrepreneurship is the bicycle shop "Velogorod," which has been providing residents with quality bicycles and services since 2018. Its story is a blend of family passion for cycling, persistence, and a modern approach to business, reports UNN.

Everything for Bicycles: Repair, Sales, Rental

"Velogorod" is more than just a store; it is a family business built on a love for cycling. The shop specializes in selling bicycles, accessories, and spare parts, as well as offering repair services. A team of five works to provide customers with the best solutions in the cycling sphere.

"We focus on the mid-range price segment, offering quality bicycles that come with real manufacturer warranties. We also keep budget options in mind, but we only select models that we are confident in," said UNN co-owner Larisa Pikalova.

Among the assortment of "Velogorod," there are products from both Ukrainian and international brands. The shop collaborates with well-known Ukrainian manufacturers such as the Kharkiv-based company "Velotrade" and "Pride." This approach allows customers to choose bicycles for any need—ranging from children's to sports models. Each year, the shop sells around 500 bicycles, but the owners believe that the potential for growth is significantly greater.

Creation Story: From Idea to Implementation

The idea for the business belongs to Larisa's husband, an international class sports master in cycling. After finishing his sports career, he decided to dedicate his life to the cycling industry. It all started with an online store, but customers increasingly asked for the opportunity to see the bicycles in person and try them out.

"We realized that a physical store was what our business needed. In Brovary, we already had a space, so opening the shop was a logical step," Larisa explains.

Social Responsibility and Charity

"Velogorod" actively collaborates with charitable organizations and participates in social projects. Last year, the shop supplied bicycles to the Red Cross of Ukraine in two regions. Additionally, the shop team helped fulfill children's dreams by gifting bicycles to kids through volunteer initiatives.

One of the most touching cases was the story of a child who witnessed horrific events near Brovary. "We had a case near Brovary where a tank ran over a child's family; the child witnessed it and had a dream of owning a bicycle. So, in collaboration with volunteers, we gifted him a bicycle. This year, we also realized a child's dream—on Christmas, a boy received a bicycle through a 'letters of happiness' initiative," recalls Larisa.

Challenges of War: Adaptation and New Opportunities

The full-scale war has affected the business, changing customers' purchasing power and reducing the number of regular clients.

"Many of our customers, especially families with children, have left the city. At the same time, internally displaced people have arrived in Brovary, and they have also become our clients. We are trying to adapt to their needs," Larisa explains.

Moreover, the business faces staffing challenges due to mobilization. However, even under such conditions, the shop continues to operate and grow.

Community Support and Participation in Grant Programs

In 2023, "Velogorod" received a grant under the "Own Business" program amounting to 250,000 hryvnias. These funds helped improve online sales by hiring two new employees to support this area. Larisa is also a participant in the first UWE HUB cohort—an initiative to support women entrepreneurs.

According to Larisa, the hub is a great opportunity for small businesses. It provides inspiration, allows for idea exchange with other entrepreneurs, and offers insights into new trends.

Future Plans: Rental, Assortment Expansion, and International Expansion

"Velogorod" has ambitious plans for the near future. This year, the shop plans to launch a bicycle rental service in Brovary. Additionally, the owners aim to expand the product range by adding more sports goods, which will help stabilize the business during the off-season.

"There is an idea to enter the international market with Ukrainian bicycle accessories. This is an interesting and promising direction that we plan to explore in 2025," shares Larisa.

The story of "Velogorod" proves that Brovary is not only a city with a convenient location but also a place that supports entrepreneurs. Thanks to the joint efforts of the community, initiative, and social responsibility, "Velogorod" has become a symbol of persistence and success for Ukrainian small businesses.

Additionally

In Brovary, the City Council operates a Business Support Center where entrepreneurs and those planning to start their own business can receive free consultations on business registration, leasing premises, and obtaining grants. This year, around 150 people, mostly representatives of micro and small businesses, sought assistance from the Center.

According to Brovary Mayor Igor Sapozhko, during the state of war, the implementation of 76 investment projects has attracted over 466 million hryvnias in investments and created nearly 600 new jobs. He added that during the war, the number of various firms and individual entrepreneurs in the Brovary community has increased, currently exceeding 18,000.

In addition to foreign funding, Brovary will receive other assistance from sister cities. For instance, German partners provided the local community with generators, medical equipment, special transport, and much more. To determine specific areas for further cooperation, a representative of the German sister city of Jena, city council member Matthias Mitt, visited Brovary in October.

Overall, within the framework of cooperation with German cities Jena and Erlangen, as well as the district of Lahn-Dill, Brovary received three ambulances, four fire trucks, three units of municipal transport, one school bus, generators, and various equipment for educational institutions in the community and a modular town where displaced persons live.