Ground Transportation Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci discuss the crucial role airport transfers play in the chauffeured transportation industry. They emphasize the importance of retaining airport transfer services to attract corporate clients and explore strategies to deepen relationships with existing clients. 

Ken and James share valuable insights into targeting wealthy zip codes, leveraging LinkedIn for networking, and enhancing service offerings to outperform TNCs like Uber and Lyft. Listen in to discover actionable tips for increasing your revenue by optimizing airport transfer services.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome
01:46 Milk and Bread of The Industry
09:53 Different Statistics on Air Travel
24:06 The Power of Networking
30:53 Outreach & Lead Generation
39:17 Airline Growth
42:57 It's Not the Market, it's Your Mindset
45:03 Final Thoughts

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain talks with Phelps Hopes, the President of the International Motor Coach Group (IMG). They discuss everything from Phelps’ fascinating background and journey to becoming the president of IMG, to the innovative approaches and strategic vision driving the group forward. Learn about the history and evolution of the industry, the emphasis on operational excellence, and how IMG's network of top-tier operators is set to tackle the future challenges and opportunities. 

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Joey Mills, CEO of Olympus Car & Coach join James and Ken to share his journey from the corporate world to acquiring and growing Olympus Car and Coach. In this conversation, the group discusses the challenges and strategies unique to the motorcoach industry, like diversifying revenue streams, the importance of meticulous planning, and the pivotal role of driver and fleet management. 

Connect with Joey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycmills/

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci explore the pitfalls of chasing volume in the transportation industry. They discuss why focusing on low prices and high volume can be detrimental to your business, potentially leading to financial distress and poor customer loyalty. They emphasize the importance of knowing your worth, setting the right pricing, and prioritizing quality over quantity. Listen in as they share real-life examples, revenue strategies, and tips on how to build a sustainable and profitable business model. 

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Welcome
03:28 Migration to Mixed Fleet Across Industries
05:31 Financial Impact of Chasing Volume
11:34 Systems & Processes
14:17 Good vs Bad Revenue: Your Marketing Matters
17:33 The Opportunity Cost of Under-Investing in Business Growth
21:00 The Slippery Slope of the Low-Price Strategy
26:03 Fixing the Low-Price Mindset
38:20 Put Profit First
45:07 Real World Examples
52:50 Closing Remarks

Profit First: https://profitfirstbook.com/

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Michelle Petelicki, Board Member of the UMA and President of Panorama Tours, Inc. shares her unique journey into the family-owned ground transportation business, her growth into a leadership role, and her insights on industry challenges and opportunities. From discussing the impact of regulations and compliance to the importance of mentorship and industry involvement, Michelle provides valuable perspectives for anyone in the field. 

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-petelicki-504a38b0/
Visit Panorama Tours website: https://panoramabustours.com/
Visit the UMA website: https://members.uma.org/

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Crown Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain are joined by Arthur and Drew Messina from Create-A-Card. They discuss the essential marketing strategies for the ground transportation industry. 

The conversation highlights the role of business cards, postcards, and innovative swag items in cultivating relationships and growing businesses. They also address the relevance of modern tools like digital brochures and electronic marketing, sharing insights on how to balance traditional and digital marketing to build a successful brand. In this conversations, you'll hear:

• Marketing trends in ground transportation
• Essential collateral and leave-behinds to get past gatekeepers
• The rule of 7 touch points
• Importance of capability cards
• Life Items and other creative collateral
• Why it's important to know what your brand stands for

Visit Create-A-Card's website: https://createacardinc.com/

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

Learn more about The Transportation Alliance (TTA): https://www.thetransportationalliance.org/ 

Welcome to a special edition of the Ground Transportation Podcast filmed at the Phoenix Hotel in Washington, D.C. James Blain and Dan Reid, President of The Transportation Alliance, discuss their experiences at the National Limousine Association event and the legislative fly-in for The Transportation Alliance. 

The episode covers the importance of Day On the Hill, the role of associations in the transportation industry, the significance of mentorship, and how operators can get involved both locally and nationally. Dan also shares his personal journey into non-emergency medical transportation and the evolution of The Transportation Alliance. Tune in for insights on legislative advocacy, industry networking, and the future of ground transportation.

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken dives deep into the myths and misconceptions surrounding the valuation and sale of transportation businesses. With insights from over 270 companies and 100+ transactions since 2018, Ken discusses:

• The vital metrics, processes, and preparations needed to create a sellable business 
• The difference between a lifestyle businesses a real transportation company
• The importance of financial health, consistent profitability, and professional planning
• The common pitfalls that prevent businesses from selling
• When you should start planning for an exit

If you're thinking about selling your business in the future, this episode is essential listening for actionable advice and industry truths.

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain chat with Eric Coolbaugh from Advantage Remarketing, discussing the evolution of his business and its impact on the transportation industry. In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Eric’s journey in the transportation industry from furloughed to flourishing
• What do look for in your first motorcoach purchase
• Major vehicle trends over the past three decades
• Perception vs reality of ‘Sprinters’ in the minds of consumers
• What banks look for when you need financing
• The significance of building strong industry relationships

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp

Send us Fan Mail

Learn more about the Driving Financial Success Program:
https://drivingtransactions.com/programs-courses/driving-financial-success/

In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James and Ken discuss the importance of understanding and accurately structuring pricing in the ground transportation industry. They explore the critical nature of knowing one's cost structure. This way, operators can avoid pricing too low and risking unprofitability. Listen to this episode to learn how you can properly manage your finances and establish a pricing strategy that leads to profitable growth. In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Common pitfalls, like not knowing costs and relying too heavily on competitor pricing
• How to analyze your costs to inform your pricing strategy
• How to view pricing through the lens of profitability
• Why it’s important to keep your accounting and financial statements organized
• Practical advice for operators on how to push prices up without losing customers
• The relevance of dynamic pricing strategies for transportation business owners

Get out of the driver's seat and start building a REAL company. Join the Limo CEO Academy: the on-demand growth program built specifically for operators doing less than $1 million annually: https://www.limoceo.com/

Pax Training is your  all in one solution designed to elevate your team's skills, boost passenger satisfaction, and keep your business ahead of the curve. Learn more at www.paxtraining.com/gtp