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TWICE AS NICE: Kelly Davis is outpacing first-year rentals with the addition of a second limo.
TWICE AS NICE: Kelly Davis is outpacing first-year rentals with the addition of a second limo.

Business Spotlight: Arriving in Style

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Kelly Davis is in the people business.

In his 35-year career with City Utilities as a utility inspector, Davis most enjoyed interacting with customers. The same goes for his past position as assistant chief for the Willard Fire Protection District and current role as regional training coordinator for 18 of the University of Missouri Extension, Fire and Rescue Training Institute’s counties.

“I’ve helped people my whole life,” says Davis, who at 57 years old is twice retired. “When I worked for CU and the fire service, it’s the customer all the way.”

Davis is now a year into another customer service-oriented business, dubbed Gotta Getta Limo LLC.

To Davis, it seemed a natural transition.

“I wanted something that would be rewarding,” he says. “When I retired, I wanted a business where I could be with people.”

Year one
In his first six months of business, Davis drove about 45 trips, a number that’s already been eclipsed this year at nearly 60.

His first job was picking up a friend’s daughter for her birthday. To celebrate the girl’s 13th, Davis picked up the seven friends from school in Nixa and took them to Andy’s Frozen Custard and Andy B’s Entertainment Center in Springfield. For those under 18, a parent is required, though they usually ride shotgun.

“They absolutely had a blast,” says Davis, whose second job was for an 8-year-old boy who wanted a limo ride for his birthday.

Limo rides for kids still bring in a healthy amount of business, though the wedding scene is where he’s steadily building a niche. Showings at expos All About Weddings and Metropolitan Bride helped build Gotta Getta Limo’s client roster.

“I booked a wedding this morning,” Davis says. “They want to have a special time and we provide that.”

Lexi Sizemore, who won a drawing for a free limo ride at All About Weddings, redeemed the prize to take her daughter out for her 10th birthday.

Davis made preparations beforehand, including the music and candy preferences of Sizemore’s daughter. He also decorated the limo and had a birthday card made up for her.

“It was an awesome experience,” says Sizemore, who works as manager of imaging support services at Mercy Hospital Springfield. “Kelly was just very personable and a really friendly guy.

“He was very considerate making sure everyone got a little attention.”

In his first full year, Davis estimates his company brought in between $5,000 and $6,000 in revenue. He’s targeting $25,000 to $50,000 a year, but he’s taking a measured approach.

With his first limo – a 2008 Lincoln Town Car – paid off, Davis in April bought his second, a 2008 stretch Lincoln Navigator SUV. He also brought on a second driver.

To purchase the vehicles, Davis traveled the short distance to Ozark and The Limo Store, a seller of new and used limousines.

The Limo Store owner Jerry White said both used vehicles Davis bought were originally constructed by Executive Coach Builders in Springfield. Working to help Gotta Getta Limo get off the ground, White said he’s been impressed with Davis’ approach.

“He’s got the personality for this type of business,” White says. “It’s so service oriented and word of mouth. I’ve referred a lot of customers to him.”

In the race
White says eight to 10 limo rental companies operate in the Springfield area, including 40-year veteran J. Howard Fisk Limousines Inc.

White, a former employee of local limo manufacturers Executive Coach Builders, Springfield Coach Builders and DaBryan Coach Builders, says there’s room in the market for a company like Gotta Getta Limo. He says Fisk Limousines has carved out healthy growth, especially in the shuttle bus industry for clients like Missouri State University. Davis is sticking to limos for special occasions.

“He was going for a night out on the town, weddings and things of that nature,” White says. “I think that’s a niche.”

Gotta Getta Limo, which offers rides in a 300-mile radius of Springfield, charges $115 an hour for the eight-seat Town Car and $130 an hour for the 14-seat SUV, which includes amenities such as food and nonalcoholic beverages. Those of legal age may bring their own alcohol, if requested.

After Davis pays off the stretch SUV, he plans to add another two vehicles and more drivers. While working for an edge, Davis acknowledges the power of the Fisk Limousines brand.

“He’s been doing it for years, and I’m aware of that,” Davis says. “You can’t do it all. I’m just going to run what I run and be the best at what I do.”

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