When you step into Route 8 Automotive Services in Caledonia, you might wonder if the clean and bright reception area is really attached to a garage. There’s a collection of local memorabilia and it’s not unusual to see locals chatting in the reception area. It’s become an important part of the community over the past five years.

Before opening the business in 2019, Devan Smith worked as a mechanic in Bridgewater and then worked evenings and weekends servicing vehicles for local clients on his own.

The local client base was loyal and word of mouth was building demand. Devan was tired of commuting and had the skill set to go out on his own, but he needed support to make it happen. He had heard about South Shore Opportunities CBDC and reached out to them with his business idea.

The biggest challenge in setting up the business was buying the land from a tax sale. “Getting started was quite a challenge with regard to municipal permits, inspections and testing of land,” says Smith.   

“Devan came to us for help getting his business started. We helped him with a business plan, financial projections and encouraged him to do market research. With the loan application we helped him source permits for the land and building, environmental clearances, and then loan funds helped him build the building. We provided business counselling to him throughout the whole process.” says Alyssa Ingram, business officer at South Shore Opportunities CBDC.   

“CBDC helped me put the building up. Honestly, I could not have done without them,” adds Smith.   

Route 8 Automotive Services opened in January 2019 and provides automotive services including repair, diagnostics, light body work, engine work, motor vehicle inspections, trailer inspections, and much more.   

“We opened just before COVID. During the pandemic we fared out quite well compared to a lot of businesses. People were able to drop their vehicles and we repaired them as necessary,” says Devan Smith, founder of Route 8 Automotive Services.  “Basically, we did everything through e-transfer so there was no traffic through the shop.”

CBDC

Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) are not-for-profit organizations that support the success of small businesses in rural areas by providing financing, training and advice to entrepreneurs.

South Shore Opportunities CBDC serves the business community in Queens and Lunenburg Counties and receives, on average, 150 new inquiries a year. “We support businesses in all stages of development. From starting out to growing and expanding, CBDC is here to help.” says Ingram. “We see clients like Devan who have a skill or trade they can build a business around, but they need help with financing, advice, or improving their business management skills. We offer free training in a variety of business topics to help business owners manage their business more effectively.

Looking Ahead

Route 8 Automotive Services is conveniently located near Kejimkujik National Park, and serves a substantial number of clients during the summer months from this popular destination.  

“We serve 1,500 customers in a 60-kilometre radius. Even though I worked in Bridgewater during weekdays, I always had my own customer base. I used to serve my own clients after my main job and on weekends. A lot of them remained my loyal customers and word-of- mouth was my best marketing tool,” adds Smith.   

One of the greatest accomplishments to date was starting  with one employee and growing to four employees within a year.  

“The business is profitable as compared to a lot of shops that try to be successful in this county. We are the only one that stayed with it and was able to keep afloat.” said Smith.   

According to Smith, he has received a lot of positive feedback from customers.  

“My customers love me and they even refer new people to the shop. They have given us compliments such as how clean the shop is as compared to others. We get it deep cleaned three times a year wherein everything's pulled out, washed down and freshly painted,” adds Smith.   

Route 8 Automotive serves a variety of customers - young, old, families, park personnel and many local residents.   

“We work on anything small engine, generators, ATVs, vehicles for commercial purposes. We try to serve our customers same day they booked in,” adds Smith.   

Future plans

Smith has been toying around with the idea of getting into towing vehicles in the future. “Nobody here does it full time. I would need to purchase a trailer and have two full-time workers. Towing would bring me more business. Having a third bay would also be an asset,” adds Smith.   

According to Smith, he is satisfied with his entrepreneurial journey. “Reach for the stars and nothing is impossible. I have learned that myself. I would have never dreamt that I would be doing this on my own, but CBDC really did put it into perspective and made me a lot more comfortable making that plunge. They made me comfortable about setting up the business,” adds Smith.   

“You can’t go into anything thinking that you know it all and that is very true. There’s always something you’re always learning every day, so just embrace it and make it your own,” says Smith.   

~ Bhanvi Arora, Saltwire

Thank you to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), who collaborate with us to support small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. Together, we will continue to build a stronger Atlantic Canadian economy, fostering job growth and strengthening our rural communities.