John Khader worked for a few different limousine companies before starting his own. Twenty years later, Top Class Limousine Ltd. is still going strong even as it fights the ever-rising cost at the gas pump.
The Yonkers-based company says it sets itself apart by going the extra mile for its customers, including having GPS trackers and cameras watching the road and the drivers of Top Class cars and personalized customer service.
The company specializes in specialty events, including weddings and proms.
Khader”™s advice for people just starting their own business?
“Get creditors to understand your needs before you do anything with them,” Khader said. “Try to get them to work on your terms.”
Another important tip is to be flexible with customers; the company often negotiates contracts with customers if they cannot put down the standard 50 percent downpayment.
“You don”™t want to lose a customer because your terms are too strict,” Khader said.
There have been tough times. In 2003, the company implemented a smoking ban in its cars.
“That kind of hurt me the first two years,” he said. “I was so happy when the state of New York said you can”™t smoke anywhere anymore.”
More recently, rising fuel costs have affected the business.
“It”™s definitely hurting us,” Khader said. “Unfortunately, we have to pass it on to the consumer.”
He said the company”™s fuel costs have doubled over the past year, and Top Class has been charging customers between 8 percent and 10 percent extra for limousine service as a result, which is still “nowhere near what it”™s costing us.”
He also advises business owners to pay close attention to the competition.
“We always know what our competitors are doing,” he said. “We call them once every couple of months, and we see what kind of services and pricing they”™re offering.”
The company keeps its cars for about 3 years, then sells them.
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“We don”™t subcontract our work,” he said. “We keep our business all in-house, which guarantees reliability. I think that”™s very important.”
According to Khader, over the years the company has built “a lot of relationships with some of the finest catering halls around.”
There are 20 people on staff; some are family members.
“We”™re family operated,” he said. “It”™s something people like, when they see Khader they feel like we”™re all in synch. I think having the family involved gives a lot of customers peace of mind.”
The limos are on call 24/7. “A lot of times customers like the idea when they call 10, 11 o”™clock at night and they actually get one of us on the phone,” he said. “It gives them a sense of security.”
The Web site is www.topclasslimo.com.
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