Let’s face it: The cost of operating a personal vehicle can be downright scary. Most of us tell ourselves it’s a necessary evil, and for the vast majority of people in mid-Michigan, it is. But several companies in the area—including Grand Limousine and Classic Taxi—have prospered by getting individuals, couples and groups from point A to point B, in comfort, style and safety. With gasoline prices likely to get higher, it may be an ideal time to find out more about leaving the driving to someone else.

Grand Limousine

John Hernandez, founder and owner of Grand Limousine in Lansing, makes it very clear that every mile down the highway (metaphorically speaking) he’s had lots of help. He wouldn’t even start talking about his business until he thanked office manager Karen Wilcox, Barb Smith in marketing, detail manager John Speers, his son Valentino, daughter Rachel Hernandez, as well as his parents, who “were a big help, not only growing up, but in [helping me] maintain my confidence.”

Grand Limousine drove its first passenger in May 1987, and has been in its present location on South Pennsylvania Avenue since September 2005. Hernandez's reason for getting into the business? After 17 years as a MotorWheel security guard, he was informed that he was to be laid off. Checking the want ads, he found a gentleman looking for a partner with whom he could start a limo company. When Hernandez found out that what the guy really wanted was an investor, Hernandez decided to invest in himself, and a short time later, Grand Limousine was on the road.

Early on, it was a struggle. Hernandez explained that when he’d looked in the Yellow Pages prior to making the decision, there were “only one or two limo services. Next thing I knew, there were 14 to 16 services in the area.” Worse yet, it was “too late to be in the [phone] book,” so he spent much of his first year in business “rounding up people at bars” who needed a ride home. He drove from “nine at night until three or four in the morning."

Fast forward 19 years. Today Grand Limousine’s roster includes stretch versions of a Hummer (which holds 18 to 20 people), Lincoln Navigator (14), and Lincoln town car (8), along with a luxury minibus and the more traditional sedans.

“[Grand Limousine has] vehicles to fit whatever the occasion is," Hernandez said, "weddings, proms, sporting events, night on the town, bachelor parties, Valentine's Day, New Year’s Eve.” Although the majority of their service is within a 25-mile radius the company does provide service to Grand Rapids and Detroit, and occasionally Chicago and Windsor, Ontario.

Another significant part of business comes from airport service to Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and O’Hare in Chicago. Hernandez said, “[We] have affiliates that call from different parts of the country, then [we] pick up clients at Capital City Airport” and deliver them directly to their meetings. They do not have to worry about finding where they're going, where to park, and so on.

In a business known for high turnover Hernandez has been fortunate, with drivers that have been with him for seven or eight years.According to Hernandez all their drivers are very reliable and know the area very well, and their vehicles are dependable and up to standards.

“Word of mouth has kept us in business," Hernandez said. "People come back again and again.” Grand Limousine has even shuttled its fair share of celebrities about mid-Michigan, including the Monkees, KISS, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfield and Barbara Walters. Hernandez's personal favorite was Wolfman Jack. “He was the coolest one ... he took me to dinner. I took him to a movie.”

Classic Taxi

After working as a contract worker for General Motors and managing her boyfriend’s transportation business for a couple of years, Patricia Miller made the bold decision to go into the taxi business. In April 2005, she and her mother, Julia Wagner, opened Classic Taxi. With Miller’s strong background in sales, she immediately dived into marketing and promotion.

One interesting tidbit uncovered from her market research was the fact that many female professionals very much enjoy having a female driver shuttle them around town. According to Miller, it makes women feel safe and more at ease. Not coincidentally, Miller’s staff of five drivers includes women who, as with all her drivers, provide excellent customer service. “Having a well-groomed professional, smiling person” pick up clients is very important, according to Miller, who added that she frequently hears comments about Classic Taxi's wonderful service and polite drivers.

As with Grand Limousine, Miller said word of mouth referrals and repeat business are keys to their success. Operating Sunday through Wednesday from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 24 hours a day Thursday through Saturday, Classic Taxi markets to the professional clientele, leaving door-to-door runs and bachelor parties to other companies.

Classic Taxi also provides service to those participating in workers' comp. Miller explained how that niche opened up: “I had a client who was working for MSU who had an accident. [He] requested my company take him to therapy.” Aware of the company’s on-time guarantee, he knew he had nothing to worry about. And he didn’t. According to Miller this guarantee makes for at-ease clients who need to catch a flight at the airport, or incoming clients who can’t be late for a meeting.

With flat rates on service from campus to Downtown Lansing and East Lansing; the Meridian Mall; Haslett; Holt; Lansing’s west side; and the Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Flint airports, Miller said their company is enjoying steady growth and receiving lots of positive feedback.

“We would rather turn down a run than overbook,” Miller said. Perhaps because of that philosophy, they are frequently booked 24 hours in advance. While they “try to stay small with quality versus quantity,” she said they do have plans to expand their fleet and list of services. Currently, Classic Taxi operates minivans that seat six to seven people, and Cadillac and Buick sedans that carry three or four. All their drivers must have a chauffeur’s license for at least two years, pass a background check and be green-lighted by her insurance company. Being family owned and operated is a big plus, Miller said, because she has lots of drivers in the family.

In closing, Miller said theirs is a company “started for professionals by professionals,” and that she’s “done a lot of traveling and knows what it takes to get people where they’re going on time.” Add to that nonsmoking, clean vehicles (inside and under the hood), lots of hard work, long hours, and dedicated employees, and it’s no wonder, that, as Miller put it, “You have your clients that are just so loyal to you they won’t use anyone else.” But no matter how big Classic Taxi gets, Miller said, they will never abandon their pledge to provide quality service.

With the everpresent demand for transportation, Grand Limousine and Classic Taxi are two companies that appear to still be driving clients well on down the road.