Randy Doss has been in business 15 years and won many small business awards, but he still sought the help of the LSUS Small Business Development Center as he expanded his transportation
company this year.
"In all the time I have been in business, I had never done any financial projections. I went by the seat of my pants" said
Doss, owner of A-1 Charter Service. "This has been a tremendous help to my business."
Doss met with LSUS SBDC Director Peggy Connor as he considered adding a luxury sedan to his growing array of transportation services, which include two shuttle buses, a restored antique trolley, and limousine.
Connor and Doss met several times going over cash flow projections, discussing "what-if" scenarios and making revisions.
A-1 Charter added the luxury sedan, a 2005 Lincoln Town Car Executive L Series, to his fleet in October, with the help of a $40,000 small business loan. The new service added two part-time drivers to his staff. A-1 has four full-time employees and up to 10 part-time drivers during busy seasons.
The sedan service is targeted at Shreveport's older affluent market seeking a chauffeur and luxury transportation - but not a flashy limousine - to restaurants, doctor's appointments and shopping trips. A secondary market includes business executives.
A-1's vehicles are already frequent sites shuttling passengers everywhere from Mardi Gras parties to church services to the popular Red River Revel Arts Festival. The company has been named one of the Top Ten Small Businesses by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and is a past recipient of the Small Business of the Year by the Bossier Chamber of Commerce.
With the latest addition to his company, Doss hopes to build on that good name with a comfortable ride and exemplary customer service. Although sedan service is a first for Shreveport, the local transportation industry is competitive with several limousines, another trolley and taxis.
"Being successful in business is finding ways to set yourself apart from other folks," he said.
