Starting A Venture in San Antonio - Any/all tips welcome

[SANANLimo]

I am going to start to run an 8 pax Lincoln TC 2001 with presidential seating in the rear. I have family member who owns a pretty large limo/chauffer/air charter company in the Northeast - so he is going to give me some advice. But I was thinking that this car is a perfect started for corporate or client-based business during the week while at the same time capitalizing on a small party to go out in on the weekend. From most of the information I have gathered currently my assumption is that farming and building a good client base is good to start out with while still making a little extra cheese on the weekend. The guy I will buy the limo from has it booked every weekend and says that is great for that crowd. I have about 6 weeks to work out any kinks in my business plan(paperwork filing and background check) and have good income to suffice if it is slow at the beggining I am almost certain it will be, or even if it picks up. The company will be an LLC and all of the insurances and licenses will be correctly filed through the state. Please any seasoned vets advice would really help and I am not trying to go in and throw out ridiculously low-ball prices. All I am trying to do is run a reputable company that gives good service and takes pride in what they do. Main questions, Is this a good car? It is in great condition and I think is versitile enough to be a good starter. Is my approach correct, am I targeting the correct target market? Liquor? - I don't know the regulations and licenses needed to do this and my car will have a bar. How should I approach farming and I am a good business person but don't know how other companies will react to me - will they accept or blackball me. And pretty much any experience or advice would really be appreciated. I also have a 24 hour driver getting all of his "stuff" (paperwork and such) taken care of.

[Dean Schuler]

What color is your car ? What are the interior colors ? How many miles ? Will you receive complete mechanical records upon purchase ? Is the Book of Business the car has guaranteed to you ?
Originally posted by SANANLimo:
I am going to start to run an 8 pax Lincoln TC 2001 with presidential seating in the rear. I have family member who owns a pretty large limo/chauffer/air charter company in the Northeast - so he is going to give me some advice. But I was thinking that this car is a perfect started for corporate or client-based business during the week while at the same time capitalizing on a small party to go out in on the weekend. From most of the information I have gathered currently my assumption is that farming and building a good client base is good to start out with while still making a little extra cheese on the weekend. The guy I will buy the limo from has it booked every weekend and says that is great for that crowd. I have about 6 weeks to work out any kinks in my business plan(paperwork filing and background check) and have good income to suffice if it is slow at the beggining I am almost certain it will be, or even if it picks up. The company will be an LLC and all of the insurances and licenses will be correctly filed through the state. Please any seasoned vets advice would really help and I am not trying to go in and throw out ridiculously low-ball prices. All I am trying to do is run a reputable company that gives good service and takes pride in what they do. Main questions, Is this a good car? It is in great condition and I think is versitile enough to be a good starter. Is my approach correct, am I targeting the correct target market? Liquor? - I don't know the regulations and licenses needed to do this and my car will have a bar. How should I approach farming and I am a good business person but don't know how other companies will react to me - will they accept or blackball me. And pretty much any experience or advice would really be appreciated. I also have a 24 hour driver getting all of his "stuff" (paperwork and such) taken care of.

[SANANLimo]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dean Schuler:
What color is your car ? What are the interior colors ? How many miles ? Will you receive complete mechanical records upon purchase ? Is the Book of Business the car has guaranteed to you ?

The car is black, The interior is ligh charcoal. Not complete records but I have a mechanic checking it out before I buy it(tomorrow). I don't know about the last question. But it was running for 4 hours last night and will be running for 6 toninght so I guess it is bringing some customers. But the car is in houston and I am bringing it to san antonio upon purchase.

[KC]

Originally posted by SANANLimo:
The company will be an LLC and all of the insurances and licenses will be correctly filed through the state
I don't know about San Antonio, but it seems that typically local municipalities regulate local transportation companies (i.e. Taxis, Livery or Limos). You might want to check with local officials regarding licensing.


Originally posted by SANANLimo:
But it was running for 4 hours last night and will be running for 6 toninght so I guess it is bringing some customers. But the car is in houston and I am bringing it to san antonio upon purchase.
You have to forgive me SANANLimo, but just because one type of vehicle has business in one market, does not mean that the vehicle will have the same guarantee business in another market. You also have to know that, this past Thursday was the start of the Rodeo Season here in Houston, and everything with a least four wheels will be busy (in addition to the regular charters one might have). You also can not compare the Houston market to that of San Antonio. So a vehicle that works every day of the week in Houston (which is a heavy corporate related market), might only go out on Saturday nights in San Antonio.

Also, with the 2001 vehicle here in Houston, it is at the mark when it would be retired from service (as per city law, you can not license a vehicle more than seven years). I don't know if San Antonio would have any similar regulations.

[SANANLimo]

I am already getting the license to operate. And I understand the markets are different, however I was just trying to state that the limo is still seeing service there. Also it is 12 years in san antonio and I think 5 years for an SUV or something like that(have not payed much attention to SUVS regulations yet). Also, I am starting to make contacts with businesses for weekly work. Also the rodeo just ended here in san antonio and now comes the start of fiesta, and wurstfest, and niosa, and prom, then graduation. I am not saying that this is the most thriving market but given my position and the fact that I am not a fly-by-night dreamer, who wants to be a millionaire, I believe that given some time this could be successful. Also, toyota just coming here and talks of microsoft have a main branch office (15 thousand jobs I believe) and WaMu just opening one of its largest offices here, could only be posotive for this type of business.