Red Clover Bikes

An Interview with Sarah Pushee, by Emi Vaughan

“We are the little bike shop that could,” said Sarah Pushee, who opened Red Clover Bikes at the height of the COVID-19 and has kept it thriving ever since.

A Thetford native who describes herself as “very Vermonter,” Pushee began working for a bike shop right out of college. She eventually transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry, but having worked with “parts and equipment [her] whole life,” she never lost her love for bike maintenance. So, when a friend dropped his children’s bikes off at her house and said, “I know you can fix these,” she was inspired to fulfill her long-held dream of opening a bike shop of her own.

Her business started as a pandemic project in 2020, with a six-by-twelve-foot trailer in her driveway. In the “pretty fast and furious” process of expanding, Pushee first faced real-estate challenges. She had an intent to lease, but when the plans with that landlord fell through, she was stuck with an order for bicycles that needed a home. Thankfully, Pushee had previously served as the Executive Director of the Cohase Chamber of Commerce where she was introduced to GMEDC; She knew to reach out to them for help.

GMEDC was quick to get Pushee in touch with numerous landlords. While she did not end up buying any of their spaces, Pushee said it was very helpful to have that support and those options available to her. Instead, Pushee landed Red Clover Bikes on Route 5 - Main Street - in Fairlee, VT. To make this new business recognizable to customers, she said, “It was really important to me to have a logo representative of my brand, that I did not think of myself. I knew I wanted to hire design work but didn’t really have the funds.” This is where GMEDC once again provided support, introducing Pushee to the ReStart Vermont Technical Assistance (ReVTA) program.

ReVTA was a relief program that began during the COVID pandemic. Created and run by the Regional Development Corporations (RDCs) of Vermont (GMEDC is one of twelve RDCs across the state of Vermont) ReVTA deployed $1.4 Million in technical assistance grants to the state’s small businesses. Each of the RDCs hired a Navigator, who first met with qualified business owners and showed them a list of Technical Assistance providers that may meet their business needs. Once the business owner identified and connected with a suitable Technical Assistance provider, the Navigator helped them finalize details such as the specific project(s) to be completed, the timeline, and the amount of funding available for the work. Upon completion of the job, the Technical Assistance provider was compensated directly, via the ReVTA grant, and the business owner had received essential technical services—varying from graphic design work to architectural plans—at no cost to them.

The National Federation of Independent Business described the ReVTA grant program as a “short window of opportunity,” and Pushee certainly found this to be the case. She said it was “one of those ‘make it happen quick’ grants [offered] at the beginning of COVID.” This was overwhelming for Pushee, who had only just registered her business and was already facing challenges as a result of starting her company during a pandemic. Thankfully, GMEDC was there to assist her in navigating the rushed process, and ultimately succeeded in helping her secure a spot in the ReVTA program.

Funding provided by this grant, and guidance from GMEDC’s Navigator, made it possible for Pushee to connect with an “amazing” graphic design group and have her business logo made. Years later, the art these designers created still serves as Red Clover Bikes’ current logo. “[GMEDC] made it possible for me to show up with a really professional look,” said Pushee. This was especially important to her at that time, when her company was still in its startup phase, and she was working hard to become a real brick and mortar business.

Since finding a home, and creating a brand, Red Clover Bikes has supported the region’s social and economic development. As a bicycle retail shop with a service component, Pushee believes her business highlights the amount of biking happening in this area, the potential for more, and how the sport promotes community interaction: “This is an area lush with great road riding, [and] great mountain biking… it was time to put a spotlight on that and attend to this northern Upper Valley community.” She also acknowledged the financial risk she took opening a year-round business in Fairlee. However, it was one she was willing to take to promote the town’s economic prosperity, saying, “I think it’s really important that more people recognize that this community will build if more people commit to operating here year-round.”

With help from GMEDC, Pushee has created a successful business that strengthens the economy and community of the “really spectacular place” she calls home. In this way, GMEDC’s support has meant a lot to her, and she appreciates that they are “willing to do whatever they can to help.” She said she would definitely make use of GMEDC’s services again if needed, and recommends that other businesses do so, too. “Whether or not GMEDC has a product for you, they can help point you in the right direction.”