Disabled veteran John Casedy doesn’t drink alcohol; however, he enjoys the social part of going to the local bars. Recently, one night he stayed until the bar closed. He noticed that everyone left and drove home – sober or not. He offered to take several folks home who clearly shouldn’t have driven. During the drive, they discussed the need for a taxi service from the bars. John saw this business opportunity. The next day, he started researching his new business idea. He spoke with local bar owners, the chief of police and bar patrons. John wanted to provide a limited taxi service from Montrose bars Thursday through Sunday nights. All of the bars liked the idea. Several of the bars owners said that if he charged a flat fee, they would be willing to add it to their customers’ bills and pay him later. This would make collecting his payment easier and help ensure their customers would use his services. John had no idea what to do next. He mentioned this to one of the bars and they suggested he contact the SBDC. He went online and signed up for consulting.
John said he was nervous before he met with SBDC consultant, Susan Bony. He didn’t know what to expect. He thought that the Susan would think he was stupid because he didn’t know what to do. During his first conversation with Susan, John explained his background and his business concept. He then asked what he needed to do next. Susan was great at asking questions and provided a review of the SBDC Business Resource Guide, which she gave him to take home. Next, she gave him a list of things to do and the places to go to find the information. John said that he was “totally blown away.” Susan understood his vision and gave him a written game plan. She really listened. Subsequent meetings helped him “drive” through the process of launching his bar taxi service. Susan also helped him with his marketing and instructed him how to partner with the bars in his marketing expenses and promote his business. She also helped him write a news release, took a picture of him with his taxicab, and provided him with media sources to send it to. Lastly, Susan suggested ways to grow his business when he was ready by also providing airport taxi service.
John is excited that Montrose Eagle taxi service is a reality, thanks to the SDBC.
