Introducing a new limo company
I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Marcus Eikenberry from Portland Oregon USA. I'm in my mid 30s and I own a few successful businesses. I have a goal of opening 1 new business per year. My 2007 business is a limo service company here in Portland Oregon. My goals for this company are pretty simple. The first goal is for it to be successful. Success can be defined as a company that is profitable. It also includes being good for the community and for the companies employees.
I come from a background of online businesses dating back to 1997 and a few brick and mortar businesses dating back to about 1992. Some of them have been very successful and some of them have bombed horribly.
I will post updates often talking about the limo company. For the most part I've very willing to tell all. Many people may be shocked at the level of information I will talk about. I say this because if you wanted you'll be able to follow in my footsteps and create your own limo company. You will of course have to decide if I am successful or not.
I believe in something called coopetition. That's a made up word. Basically it can be defined as cooperating with your competition. I have done this many times and while it's bit me in the ass a few times I believe that by far I have been much more successful because of it.
So how about a little history? Why a limo business? Back in 1992 I worked for a year for Prestige Limousines here in my home town. At the same time I worked for the local transit authority. I worked for Tri-Met as a part time driver of city busses. I've always enjoyed driving large vehicles. So I guess that's the first clue. I like the challenge of driving through town with something that may be larger than the street was ever made for. While I was part time at Tri-Met I needed more income than I was making. Full time work was not available. So I dreamed up the idea of driving limos. I applied at Prestige and got the job.
I drove limos for 6 months to a year until I was let go because a customer complained that I drove like a bus driver. I can laugh about it now. But back then it really ticked me off. But it was no matter. I moved on. Soon after that I went full time driving city bus. I drove for about 5 years for the city. I really enjoyed it. But the entrepreneur in me needed something more. That's reason 2. I've opened several companies since leaving Tri-Met. I've also worked for a few companies in between. I believe though that I was born to be self employed.
Reason 3 is that I can't seem to get away from driving large vehicles. Here's my SUV for example.
So I feel like it is an easy next company for me to start. I'm comfortable with it and it excites me. I also like a challenge and I think I have one here.
I come from a background of online businesses dating back to 1997 and a few brick and mortar businesses dating back to about 1992. Some of them have been very successful and some of them have bombed horribly.
I will post updates often talking about the limo company. For the most part I've very willing to tell all. Many people may be shocked at the level of information I will talk about. I say this because if you wanted you'll be able to follow in my footsteps and create your own limo company. You will of course have to decide if I am successful or not.
I believe in something called coopetition. That's a made up word. Basically it can be defined as cooperating with your competition. I have done this many times and while it's bit me in the ass a few times I believe that by far I have been much more successful because of it.
So how about a little history? Why a limo business? Back in 1992 I worked for a year for Prestige Limousines here in my home town. At the same time I worked for the local transit authority. I worked for Tri-Met as a part time driver of city busses. I've always enjoyed driving large vehicles. So I guess that's the first clue. I like the challenge of driving through town with something that may be larger than the street was ever made for. While I was part time at Tri-Met I needed more income than I was making. Full time work was not available. So I dreamed up the idea of driving limos. I applied at Prestige and got the job.
I drove limos for 6 months to a year until I was let go because a customer complained that I drove like a bus driver. I can laugh about it now. But back then it really ticked me off. But it was no matter. I moved on. Soon after that I went full time driving city bus. I drove for about 5 years for the city. I really enjoyed it. But the entrepreneur in me needed something more. That's reason 2. I've opened several companies since leaving Tri-Met. I've also worked for a few companies in between. I believe though that I was born to be self employed.
Reason 3 is that I can't seem to get away from driving large vehicles. Here's my SUV for example.
So I feel like it is an easy next company for me to start. I'm comfortable with it and it excites me. I also like a challenge and I think I have one here.
posted by Markee Dragon | 12:28 PM
1 Comments:
Enjoyed your post. Last year I purchased a limo for private use and we had a blast. I had quite a few friends visit over the summer. We took the limo on wine tasting tours, trips to the coast and so forth. I sold it last September because I couldnt see it sitting out in the elements all summer. Anyway, we decided to do it again this year. I just purchased a low mileaged stretch limo and was wondering is you would be interested in being hired to drive for us from time to time? Have limo, need non-drinking driver ;)
Bob
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