Audio Work

Well, I worked on my car again today. Been a Long day. I spent most of the day working on the Audio. I wanted the TV audio to work through the car stereo in the back. The stereo in the back wouldn't work for what I wanted, so I got a new stereo. That worked out great then. Audio is awesome now. People may not care, but I like it. Then we put a decent amp and small sub in. Its not a big booming thing, I just wanted decent mellow bass sound, which I got. Here are two photos, one of the car jacked up where we were working, and one of my buddy Will who is my car stereo expert. Other than that not a thing.

Also, I'll take this moment to thank Palma-Briensburg FD, because I'm a firefighter there, but they are allowing me use of the work bay, since I don't have inside storage right now.

Night Work

This is the side of I-24 at about 930 PM. This is just a shot from my cell phone as we're getting ready to leave this traffic stop. One of the guys arrested the driver for operating on a suspended drivers license. Would have been fine, but they had to be going 89mph in a 65zone. Dumb asses.

Nothing new in limo world. Insurance, authority, and business cards. Thats my three main goals in life right now. Later.

Interior shots - not too good from my phone

Well, not a lot going on, especially on a Saturday. Another day, another 10 hours of work. Took my friend on his first ride in the car tonight. He's going to be my backup driver when I'm unavailable. He's really getting into it. Probably Tuesday or Wednesday we're going to have a little Limo Drivers Training. Also, here are some crappy photos of the interior of my limo. My track lighting I know how to change colors and intensity with no trouble, may do that. on the lights in the bar, I'm having a little trouble its like tiny bulbs in a strip, and a couple of them are out. I don't know what to replace them with if more go out. These show the LCD i installed, i think looks pretty good. Im going to work on the stereo Monday. Also, does anyone know where I can get those crystal square alcohol decanters? I was looking for some for me. Any ideas let me know.

What a gorgeous day.

Well, its raining like hell here today. Cold too. We were supposed to get a batch of severe weather, so I kept the limo in the bay at the fire station for a little while longer. The fire department I'm on is gracious enough to allow me to store my limo in the work bay during this repair time and for inclement weather. It's great to have that ability. But unfortunately, I'm going to have to bring it home sometime. I guess I'll get a car cover for it. That's gonna be a hell of a car cover. I think I'm going to have an upholstery shop fix up a custom floor mat, the ones I look at on the internet are high as hell.

Insurance still sitting on 3500 dollars per year, so I guess I'm stuck there. That's only 47 Hours of limousine service provided. Not too bad I guess, considering there's 8760 Hours in a year.

Moving SLOW.

Well, just got off work about an hour ago. Those 12 hour shifts suck. Of course, that three day off break is good. I ordered "Wheels of Gold" - thought since a Successful Limousine Company Owner recommended it, I should go for it. I'm ready to read.

I received my information on any Limousine Companies that have certificates in the area, there are only two and both are in McCracken County, thats a really good thing. Of course, my main competition is running without for-hire authority. Not a good thing.

Still waiting on insurance. Thats a bitch. I'm ready to turn some wheels. Going to sleep now.

Not a lot new going on.

Nothing really new to post, just sitting around. I've been working on business cards. I've had a few feelers out there, nothing solid yet. I'm not taking reservations until I'm legal to run. Oh, here is a picture of my car. Its not a great picture, but it is my pride and joy. Its a 2001 Royale 100 inch stretch 8 passenger. It looks good until you get right down on the paint, it has some swirl marks and stuff, but its mine and I love it. Hopefully, it will get a lot of customers. I'll update tomorrow, I may have an insurance lead by then.

Ahh, so much to do.

Well, what a last few days I haven't had with the Limo. Wednesday through Saturday are my regular work days, so I have had to do the police thing while my car sits in the bay waiting on me to buff and wax it. The last few days have really been eye opening on some aspects on regulation of limousines in Kentucky.

First off, to run INTRAstate, or inside Kentucky, I have to have county level limo licenses. That means that for each county I pick someone up in, I have to have operating authority for that county. At 25 dollars a county, It is really something to make you want to pull your hair out. Now, INTERstate authority is simple and takes about 45 minutes to get took care of. The county level stuff takes 30-45 days to get. GRRRR...

Insurance I've been working on, my first quote for 1 million dollars in liability for only inside Kentucky is 3500 dollars a year....OUCH. I really think I can get that under 3000. Of course thats the first quote...hopefully I can do some work and get that changed around a bit.

Well, I did manage to get the LCD tv mounted in the limo tonight. Man it is freaking sweet. It just looks so flush in there, I will have to get some pictures of before and after. I'm getting phone calls and some word of mouth, a whole lot of people wanting quotes on trips, just got to get all this going so I can start making $$ to pay off this rig.

Well, I'm off to bed...the waxing and buffing starts tomorrow.

A Limousine Repair Day

Busy as hell day today. After crashing and burning from that long as busy day I had another busy day. Woke up went to Paducah and ate, then to Lourdes hospital to check on my wife's father. He's doing better, but still not well. He passes out when he stands up is his only problem. Hope he gets better. I told him I'd drive him to Vandy or St. Thomas in the Limo if it was running.

THen I worked on that heater core. Started about 8, got the bad one out at 11. Not too bad, but it was a pain compared to a crown vic. Theres a ton more connections and hoses. I tested the old heater core, and sure enough, it leaked like crazy. So were about 3 hours from getting that baby back in and done. If anyone needs a heater core replaced, its a job and a half. No wonder ford charges a thousand dollars almost for it. Did some measuring for an LCD tv to replace the old busted color, which really is nice. I also talked to a buddy that is a pro in stereo equipment. We're going to examine locations for a subwoofer for the stereo. It desires a little for good sound. Nothing crazy just good. I've going to work the audio where you have the option to run it through the stereo, or just run it by itself. I've had really good comments on the unit as it sits so I can only imagine what i'll get when i get it going. Shotting for April 15th. I'll update tomorrow.

My Limo is Finally Home

Well, I beleive I had the most exciting day I've ever had today. After working a 10 hour shift, I woke up bright and early at 6 AM, with four friends of mine, we took off on a 275 mile drive to Southern Tenessee to look at, and pick up, a Limousine. I've been looking for quite some time for a decent Limo, something that I wouldn't be ashamed to take out and let people ride around in. Well, after that long ride down past Chatanooga, TN. we arrive at where the Limousine is. It is quite a nice limo. It's not perfect, but no used car will ever be. The guy with the car lot tells us to drive it around, take it to a mechanic, whatever we need to do. We go through it quite well, find some minor imperfections or small problems, and then went back to the dealer. The only problem that needs to be addressed is that the heater core was bypassed. Well, being that we have experience on the Crown Victoria heater core removal, we will do that as well. Its a 4 hour job working hard. No biggie. Dash Removal. I even got a couple hundred dollars knocked off on the price. 47.99 for a heater core. we can do that. Other than that, we couldnt find anything that cant be fixed in minutes. The car rode well, drove even better. Motor smooth, tranny strong. We managed to get that baby home with no problems.....AND it got 21 mpg. You cant beat that!

Well, hopefully I will get the web address and licensing issues in kentucky took care of in the next two weeks....I already have three uncomfirmeds, though when I'm up and running, there will be reservations with deposits, not verbal guarantees.....I need to start looking into some paperwork and contracting issues on charters. SO MUCH TO DO....I've been up for 18 hours, time to sleep.

I BOUGHT A LIMO TODAY

Its true...I've made that step from plans and ideas to tangible property. I bought a limo today. I think I got a decent price for what I got....hopefully. I'm going to throw some insurance on it, and then go get it saturday. I'm really tired from work so I'm going to go to bed, I'll comment on it more tomorrow.

AAHH Passwords

Well, It took me forever to get all my password stuff back in order. I had to reset the password on the blogger. Do you ever think that you might have waay too many passwords and usernames? I sure do! I hate making them all the same, then you are vulnerable to someone obtaining EVERYTHING, instead of something.

Well, I found a limo that I absolutely think is one in a million, its an ebay deal, but it is really nice. I've spoken to the dealer, and I'm quite ready to go take a look at it. Its a six hour drive to where its at, no biggie.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300078047057&rd=1,1

If that works.... I like the interior, its really something. I've still got a lot of hurdles to cross before hand, so more than likely I'm not going to cross the finish line in time for that unit. But I might! Thats about it, I'm going to a fire dept meeting.

Okay, now that I've made comments to others posts, I can start my story. I'll keep it short. I'm 26 years old, married with a child on the way. I'm a police officer. Not a street beat walking police officer, more of a regulatory officer. VERY flexible schedule, easy hours, kind of the job you've dreamed about really. I have for my entire life had entrepeneur blood in me. I've always wanted to do something on my own for a long time. It doesnt have to be so big it harvests money with a combine (that would be nice) just something that eliminates that paycheck to paycheck life. I have combed over many business opportunities and about six months ago, I was sitting in my cruiser and I saw a limo go by where I was, and thought, "you know, theres really not one of those things around here." And it has went from there. I haven't made a lot of progress with the business, I've had some home hurdles to jump and I've done TONS of research and planning, and a lot of Q and A with people in this area about a Limo Service. I'm at the stage where all I need to do is turn in some paperwork go to the bank get the money and I'm on the road. Unfortunately, I'm not buying a limo I can't see in person and they don't grow on trees here. So I'm taking this slow. I imagine I will miss prom season, but that's not a huge problem for me. Basically, my thirst for this is based on the fact that I've been an ambulance driver for six years, a DMV tester for three years, and I've been driving police cars and fire trucks for going on 10 years now, I guess I'm supposed to drive for a living.

And now its time to stop saying I'm going to do something and do it. So if anyone knows where a limo is that is decent and within a day of KY, let me know. I'm looking!

A beginning

Hello. I want to say that I have never blogged, but this is a great place to start. My name is Brian, and I am interested in a new limousine company in West Kentucky. I am starting this because I have read two other bloggers on this site that I support and wish to talk to in order to see if I am crazy and should take the plunge or not. I am going to post in my next blog a little more about myself and my intentions.