As it fades from daily consciousness, the global pandemic will be remembered for breaking some businesses, while making others.

It certainly came at the right time for Caleb Grant, who operates a mobile tyre repair service. His business, Mobile Tire Pro, opened on February 24, 2020, literally on the eve of the pandemic.

Mr Grant had left jobs at Oleander Cycles and Bermuda Tire Company. Entrepreneurship was in his blood. He had a goal to be working for himself by the age of 25.

When he came of age, he jumped at the chance.

“I was debating what I really wanted to do as a career but I always wanted to do something that helped people. I enjoyed being in the van on the move [for service calls] when I was at Oleander Cycles.

“I didn't like being stationary, if that makes sense. I like being on the go, around the island and doing something that I like, something that helps people. I just enjoy helping people. It doesn't feel like work for me.

“Even when it is not a part of the business, I get a good feeling when I help tourists, who may just need directions. And on the business side, you can end up on the road fixing a tyre. I can’t see myself doing this anywhere else.

“Bermuda is a great place to be providing this service. It’s rarely too hot or too cold. I was visiting Arizona once and realised it would not be a good fit in their summer temperatures.”

He describes himself as “the pro on the go!” with normal working hours from 8am to 8pm; although on Sundays, he works 10am to 5pm. A 24-hour availability is for a premium emergency service. He fixes flats and punctures and sometimes has to make replacements while servicing mopeds, motorcycles and cars. He has also sorted out the occasional tractor trailer tyre.

The job can sometimes be stressful because he is generally dealing with people who are having a bad day. People want access to their transportation, even on the day their vehicle has a flat. And if you agree to fix their problem, they want it sooner rather than later.

He said: “They just want to get back on the road. But they have a problem and sometimes they are quite distressed. You have to be with them in that moment.

“My biggest fear is not being reliable. You want to be responsive to people’s needs. This is why I have done no real advertising. I don’t want to be overbooked. And yeah, I am busy.”

During Covid, he was seen as an essential worker.

“That helped me get around when movement was restricted. Remember the checkpoints when the island was shut down? They eventually became familiar with the van because I was being called to service vehicles from one end of the island to the other.”

At one point he hired help. While it failed to work out, he expects to one day put together a team, possibly including mechanics, because he sees a real need.

He said: “I’m still debating how to move forward. Even what I am doing now, a small job could turn into a nightmare sometimes and you are stuck until you finish. I don’t like having another client waiting on me. But hiring more people means more administration and scheduling. It can become tricky.

“The administration is the difficult part of the business. Luckily, right now I have help with that. It’s a team.”

He is optimistic about his business for the future, because it is a service in demand, a mobile service in demand.