Worcester, Mass., was the destination for August’s Spinning Wheels meeting, a 20-group founded by Arthur and Kathy Messina of Driving Results/Create-A-Card and now facilitated by longtime Spinning Wheels members Becky Laramee and Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine.
The group meets three times a year, and after a successful visit to Miami this past spring where member Lenin Fraga of American Transportation served as host, the second-most populous city in Massachusetts was next in the rotation.
Standing (L to R): Selim Aslan of MIB Worldwide, Brian Dozier of Signature Transportation, Eric Windstein of Limousine Livery, Joey Mills of Olympus Car and Coach, Randy Allen of James Limousine, Kenway Hua of A Ambassador Limousine & Transportation, Terrie Lane of Urban Worldwide, Jason Messinger of BBZ Limousine & Livery, Lenin Fraga of American Transportation, Tony Mehdiof of North Point Global Transportation Services, and John Raftery of ELC Chauffeured Services. Seated (L to R): Hope Newcomb of James Limousine, Becky Laramee and Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine, and Michelle Miller of Elite Coach Transportation The All Points team officially took over leadership of the group this year, and with two meetings now under their belts, Laramee and Kirk—business partners and mother and daughter, respectively—are already making their mark while honoring the traditions established by the Messinas.
“We have really big shoes to fill. Arthur and Kathy brought that very warm feeling of family to the group, and that’s what we want to continue. These are the most amazing people in the industry. They are giving, they are intelligent, they are honest, and they are the pillars of the industry. And I’m just grateful that I get to be associated with them,” says Laramee. “We’re far more than just a 20-group. It’s a true collaboration among members.”
“I want to make sure I can give you something and that you leave better than when you came in. That’s my motivation.” – Becky Laramee, Facilitator of Spinning Wheels
This meeting was also a chance for Laramee and Kirk to show some hometown pride as the meeting included a site visit at their office in nearby Millbury.
“I wanted to make sure I came in with a splash,” says Laramee. “The city of Worcester is small compared to Boston, but it is the center of Massachusetts. There are 10 colleges here. There are world-renowned hospitals here. We’re in the shadow of Boston, so I really wanted to highlight this region. I sit on the Discover Central Mass Board of Directors and we’re always trying to bring activity into Worcester. And I thought this was another great way to showcase our brand-new baseball stadium Polar Park and just so many interesting things in the city.”
Tony Mehdiof (left) with CD President Chris Weiss Beyond building long-term friendships and discovering hidden business opportunities, a core component of Spinning Wheels is member education. Laramee invited several speakers to join, including CD President Chris Weiss, who spoke about what he’s seeing in the industry as he regularly travels across the country. The group also welcomed a local attorney, Tabitha Croscut of Devine, Millimet & Branch, to address a member-suggested topic of employee stock ownership plans (ESOP).
Bob Crescenzo of Lancer Insurance also gave a presentation on the state of insurance and the challenges of insuring different types of vehicles—a topic that is hot on everyone’s minds these days.
“Bob’s presentation was eye opening. Insurance just isn’t about the policy, but everything from the hiring process to training to the commitment of running a safe operation—and they prefer to be partners with transportation companies, not just write policies,” says Laramee, adding that operators have the power to demonstrate that they are worth the risk.
Laramee, who is also an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, says that that level of vigilance makes sense as her delivery drivers’ activities are monitored to the second. If Amazon requires that degree of safe driving for delivering packages, surely chauffeured transportation should be well beyond that for transporting people.
“If one of my delivery drivers goes through a red light or stop sign, their car is shut off. So, if you aren’t committed to making sure that your staff knows that you’re serious about safety, then you really shouldn’t even be in this business,” she says.
Tony Mehdiof (left) with CD President Chris Weiss Coincidentally, Laramee recently ran into fellow Spinning Wheels alumnus Renzo Ormsbee, the founder of Elite Transportation of Houston who is also an Amazon Delivery Service Partner, at the retail giant’s meeting in Las Vegas. While Ormsbee is no longer in the industry, Laramee says their friendship endures—all thanks to camaraderie the group inspired.
With Boston just a few dozen miles away, NLA and New England Livery Association President Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Transportation/Above All/ETS/Maine Chauffeured Services also made a cameo at the meeting.
“Of course, I’m going to ask Brett Barenholtz to join us because he’s my friend, and he lives next door. As the new NLA president, he’s traveling all over the country and getting a feel for what’s happening in the industry—just like Chris [Weiss]. He put a lot of time into his presentation, and he was very thoughtful toward the audience that he was speaking so it was great to have him there too,” says Laramee.
Laramee says that she’s also focused on the future of the industry and strives to integrate emerging trends and cutting-edge concepts into their education.
“I want to make sure I can give you something and that you leave better than when you came in. That’s my motivation,” says Laramee.
Attorney Tabitha Croscut spoke about employee ownership plans (ESOP) To Laramee, that starts with engaging the younger leaders in the industry as the Spinning Wheels group—collectively—will be recruiting new members in the near future.
“Britt is a key indicator; she sits on the NELA Board and is very committed to the industry by making sure that the next generation is involved,” says Laramee. “I know that having a younger partner in Brittni will give me the ability to bring the future to the group. She just sees things completely differently. The next generation is committed to this industry, and Spinning Wheels is going to be a part of that.”
Another reason they wanted to stick close to home: Britt was pregnant with her second child. In fact, just days after the meeting concluded, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Oliver. Laramee reports that everyone is doing well.
Their next meeting is scheduled for early December, where they will visit member John Raftery’s ELC Chauffeured Services in Ventura, Calif. And you can be sure that Laramee and Kirk will continue that sense of “family” that makes the group so successful.
“You make connections through the group that are going to be lifelong connections, these folks are family,” says Laramee. “It’s more than just business. Imagine connecting with a vibrant group of 20 leaders who share the exact role you play. Coming together three times a year, we jump into our successes and challenges, exchanging visions and strategies that drive us all forward. It’s an energizing and unique experience that converts problems into opportunities and wins into collective victories. Spinning Wheels helps to ground me and balance me to be a better business owner.” [CD1024]