London Inc. Fall 2021 - 21

had a bike shop in my garage, working
on friends' bikes, doing what I could, "
he says. " It's a personal passion. "
So, after 10 years as general manager
at the London Squash & Fitness Club,
it was time to change gears, as it were.
His decision to start a Velofix franchise
came out of Panabaker asking
himself, " What do I want to do for the
next 10 to 20 years of my life? he says.
" I'm not young. I'm 57. Everybody's
talking about retiring and I'm starting
something new. "
His timing - launching during a
pandemic-related bike boom - has
been advantageous.
" I'm sure it has made people more
aware of getting back on the bike, " he
says. " People have just spent the last
couple years ordering everything from
the couch. If they're working out of
their house, I can show up, fix their bike
and give it back. "
For now, the operation is small
and simple - just Panabaker and the
van - and expansion, be it additional
territories or adding staff, isn't top-ofmind
at this point.
" It's something I can get up every day
and do with a smile, " says Panabaker.
" I'm a London-based boy, and I want to
make sure I'm part of the community
here. I'm not here to replace the bike
shops, I'm just here to make the bike
community a better place for everybody. "
KIERAN
DELAMONT
Whether you are an employer or
an employee, let us put our
experience, expertise, and
unparalleled service to
work for you.
" I'M NOT YOUNG. I'M 57.
EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT
RETIRING AND I'M STARTING
SOMETHING NEW " -Tom Panabaker
EMPLOYMENT LAW,
AND ONLY
EMPLOYMENT
LAW.
TORONTO | KITCHENER | LONDON | OTTAWA
www.duntrune.law
519.964.2872
FALL 2021 | londonincmagazine.ca | 21

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London Inc. Fall 2021

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