“Darlings Island Bike Shop is the only choice for bicycle enthusiasts looking for a new bike or for parts and service in Southern New Brunswick.  They carry quality brands at reasonable prices and have a knowledgeable staff that can assist with choosing the right bike for the intended purpose and skill level of the rider.  Moreover, Darlings Island Bike Shop offers a full service department that you can depend on for fast and affordable repairs.” 

This is a testimonial from one of Darlings Island Bike Shop’s customers. Their dedication to a wide variety of quality products and service is appreciated by bicycle enthusiasts around all of New Brunswick. 
Becky Consolvo, part owner with her husband Bill of Darlings Island Bike Shop knows that she always had it in her to be an entrepreneur. Her father owned a business and she had been exposed to that environment while growing up. Becky knows that the more you put in to a business the more you get out of it. Since the shop opened in 1996 Becky says she’s poured all her energy into it. She spends just as much time there as she does in her house right behind Darlings Island Bike Shop. 

Her favorite part of being the owner of Darlings Island Bike Shop is working with people and helping customers. “A good bicycle is like a car, it’s an investment. It’s rewarding to help someone find that perfect bike they’ve been searching for.” Becky prides Darlings Island Bike Shop on having excellent customer service. The shop may be away from the beaten path but Darlings Island Bike Shop has such a comprehensive inventory of bicycles and gear; customers know that they can expect to find exactly what they are looking for when they stop in. 

Becky believes that having great selling, marketing and book keeping practices are key to the success of her business. Also, she has a philosophy that she will adapt to meet the needs of her customers. A business should be flexible and easily adaptable to the trends and needs of who you are serving. Since this business is outside of the city they are open late enough during the week to accommodate those who have to travel.

Becky comes from a background focused on recreation. The Consolvo’s resided in several different cities in the US, and changed employment frequently. Becky’s careers were mainly focused on recreation with positions as Recreation Director, Activities Director and swimming teacher. After years of traveling Becky, Bill and their three children finally settled in New Brunswick where Bill worked with Irving.

The two realized that they did not want to relocate any longer and would love to settle down in New Brunswick. They also wanted to have the flexibility and comfortable lifestyle that opening a business near their home could offer. Becky and Bill were both very active and recreation was a huge part of their home and work lives; they knew that a business in this sector would fit their lifestyles perfectly. Bill used to work at a bike shop years ago and was competing in bike races. Becky also competed in races for 6 years until last year.

Being cyclists themselves they know what they would like to see in a bike shop, and try to provide this for their customers. The majority of patrons that stroll into Darlings Island Bike Shop have heard about it and driven out of the city for the shop’s ample supply of bicycles and gear. They are serious about biking and even though it’s tucked away about 30 minutes from Saint John, bicycle enthusiasts know about this shop and think its well worth the travel. They don’t get many passersby that aren’t likely to make a purchase. Their location also provides them with plenty of outdoor space for test-drives; which would be inconvenient on a busy city street. 

Darlings Island Bike Shop’s commitment to quality products and service is exceptional. They supply an array of different brands, sizes, styles of bikes as well as clothing, shoes, and other lines of biking apparel. Darlings Island Bike Shop has got all the bells and whistles; it’s truly a one stop shop for all your biking needs! Becky ensures that when you leave the store with a new bike, it will be tested to guarantee that it is in top condition.

As advice for new entrepreneurs Becky has a few suggestions to offer. One is to network and be known by the public as much as possible. She has been a part of Chamber of Commerce for two years now and participated in other activities and groups. Darlings Island Bike Shop have special events that are known in the community, once a year they organize a bike swap that allows customers to trade in their old bikes for store credit. This brings in a lot of customers. Anything piece of advice, is to start small, if you start small you can always grow, a mistake that many make is risking too much too soon, having a lot of overhead at the beginning can hurt you. It’s also important to be at the top of your game and Becky continues to learn through training courses offered by Enterprise Fundy.

Becky and Bill Consolvo have plans to expand their business in the future. They’d like to sell items that could be profitable during the winter months. At the moment their business is quite seasonal. Renovation and improvements to the building itself are also in the works. Darlings Island Bike Shop is going to continue to be a top provider of bicycle service in New Brunswick.