Limousine Company Finds Success in Creative Thinking

Online, August 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - First LA Limo is growing again after a couple of tough years with the economic downturn. Now they are hiring some new staff, investing in a new fleet, and even taking bids on a potential building project. Part of that success has been fueled by trying out new ideas, even outlandish ones - like their Trip to Vegas Program.

"All-inclusive package deals kind of went out of style for a few years," says Bobby Rezapour, a spokesman for
First LA Limo. "When there was more money out there, people wanted to be able to plan every step of their fun and customize things exactly the way they wanted to. Which was cool. But we found that there was less of a demand for package deals, so we stopped emphasizing them. Now, they're back."

Rezapour says that today's consumer is more demanding than ever, and they're out there looking for the best deal that money can buy. "This isn't to say that they are willing to settle for second best, far from it," he says. "What it means is that they expect more out of a service than the service itself. Our company has found success by offering a whole package for a price that is about the same as the core service." First LA Limo distinguishes itself by offering free event planners, a liquor allowance in the vehicle, and door-to-door service.

Why is this package deal important for growth? "I like to compare us to the difference between a sit-down restaurant and a take-out dinner place," says Rezapour. "For example, let's say you have to grab something quick for dinner, and you can choose between a couple of good places. If you choose the sit-down place, you have to factor in that 15% tip, where if you take it to go, you can save that 15% for ice cream later. When someone chooses
First LA Limo, it's all included. No extra fees, tips, or gratuities."

"In our industry, it's very hard to set yourself apart," says Rezapour. "We are all licensed professionals, and most of us are good at what we do. Our company found success by thinking outside the box. For example, we thought about the types of people who would love to have a trip to Vegas, but they don't want to deal with the added expense of a hotel stay, parking, all that business. So we said, Why not have a package where we pick them up in a limo, we take them to the most popular spots in Vegas, and we pick them up?" The idea has been a huge success, and
First LA Limo has seen their sales zoom 11% on the strength of that package alone.

"The point is, in any industry, you have to think creatively. Take a look at how you do things, try to come up with other ideas. And it's worked for us."