By Lexi Tucker
RALEIGH, N.C. — Everyone’s familiar with the phrase “quality over quantity.” Even though it’s a cliché, there’s a reason it’s often said — it’s true.
Chris Cardo, owner of Raleigh Dream Limos, has seen firsthand the benefits of keeping your fleet a manageable size.
At one point, Cardo owned six stretch limos, but sold most of them and invested in a newer fleet consisting mostly of limo buses. He now owns three LGE buses and one Hummer stretch.
“As we all know, buses are way of the future, so that’s why we decided to go that route. The limo buses provide a much better experience for our clients,” he says.
Staying small has helped the company maintain a focus on keeping the interior of the vehicles in a “like new” condition. Cardo replaces seats frequently and orders new interior parts directly from LGE.
Downsizing slightly has only had a positive effect on ride quality and his clients’ experience, Cardo says. “As a result, we actually became more profitable.”
Although he didn’t aspire to own a chauffeured transportation company, a friend who owned one introduced him to the industry.
“I was in college at the time and began researching the industry,” Cardo says. “Immediately upon graduation, I purchased a white stretch Hummer and Raleigh Dream Limos was open for business.
“I’m very glad I chose to enter this industry. It’s always a pleasure to provide a great experience for people and have them be extremely happy with the service they received. It’s obviously great to make money, too.”
As a younger operator, he believes his technology awareness and how it’s changing the transportation industry allows him to better plan for the future and insulate his business model from potential risks from technology advancements.
Online reviews can make or break you now, and Cardo relies on his solid digital reputation.
“We receive a lot of repeat business, which is great, because it means our clients enjoyed our services so much the first time they would like to experience it again,” he says. “It’s imperative you always take care of your customers, no matter the cost.”
Excited about the industry’s potential, Cardo plans to incorporate as much technology into his business model as possible.
“As an industry, we need to keep pushing forward. I know many operators, including myself, are nervous about the future. However, I feel there will be many opportunities for growth. I believe a lot of our future lies in the hands of the vehicle manufacturers,” he says.
“I think the interior of the vehicles need to evolve to provide even more of a unique experience. I’m talking more from the view of a retail operator, but even with shuttle-style vehicles, I think there needs to be an evolution of the interior, with more integrated technology and futuristic design.
“We need to be the ones who innovate in a way that keeps our industry and services relevant and useful to the world.”
This article originally appeared in Limousine, Charter & Tour magazine.
