RJ Limousines, Surburbans & Sedans of Vail, Inc.

A little bit about our background.
I moved to Vail in the fall of 1988 with 37 cents and a tapped-out credit card, was taken in by an old college buddy, Ed Moore, who took a whole two seconds in talking me into moving here. A lot of things have changed in 19 years except one - my credit card is still tapped out.

I worked various jobs in the valley like everyone has to do at first. Some worked out well some did not. I was a partner in Double M Asphalt & Coatings for 10 years and RJ Limousines of Vail for five years when my business partner wanted to break away from the limo biz. After half a winter season I thought that I was racking my body and brain enough with two completely opposite businesses, so I split away from the asphalt, which was the best decision for both of us.

I purchased a shop located on Metcalf Road near Beaver Creek and a friend suggested that I should open an auto detailing business on the side to help subsidize the mortgage expense.

The limo and detailing business under one roof complement each other because if my detailing employee does not have any work because of a cancellation he can detail one of the limos.

What is the most humorous thing that happened to you since you started your business?
After driving for CME (Colorado Mountain Express) back in '89 to '90, I took a year off from driving commercially. In the fall of '92, I thought it would be cool to drive stretch limousines. I looked in the telephone directory, under limousines and saw a large, half-page ad for RJ Limousines & Sedans of Vail.

I called their office and asked if they were hiring any chauffeurs. I met with the owner, Yvon Jardon, and filled out an application. In the references section of the application I wrote the name of one of Vail's hotels. I thought that it was three years since I worked there as a bellman and they had forgotten about me. During the '89 World Championships skiers were parking in the huge parking lot. My tips were non existent for two weeks because four ski teams were staying at the hotel. I was desperate. I saw all these people parking for free and the hotel wasn't charging anyone to park in our parking lot so I charged each car $5 to park. The poorly managed hotel fired me.

When Yvon called at the Holiday Inn he asked them what they could tell him about this 'Robair Milfeld. They asked, 'Robair Milfeld'.' He replied 'yes, Rob'ert Milfeld.' He coined the pronunciation of my name because he speaks French. The Holiday Inn employee said, 'That SOB. he was charging people to park in our parking lot.'

Yvon asked, 'Were you charging people to park in your parking lot?'

The hotel manager replied, 'No.'

Yvon said, "He sounds like a real entrepreneur, I think I'll hire him".

About a year after this conversation the reservations manager told me that I taught the hotel how to make money from their parking lot. The management bought three car (wheel) boots and started to tow vehicles off the lot and tow them all the way to Leadville.

Things usually work out for the better and I am glad I got fired from the hotel. The rest is history.

Rob'ert Milfeld

President

Details-Details, Inc.

What goods or services do you provide and what product lines or services do you offer?
We offer full, roof to rubber, bumper to bumper auto detailing. We use Auto Magic, OEM-approved products. Auto manufacturers, such as Ford and Toyota have incorporated Auto Magic reconditioning standards into their own certified used vehicle programs. AutoMagic.com also offers online training tips for auto reconditioning.

What strategy do you use to differentiate your business from your competition?
We are stationary, as opposed to mobile. Our physical location is at Metcalf Commercial Park, so we can serve our customers year-round. We do not have to worry about Mother Nature because we have a heated building to properly detail an automobile. All employees of Details-Details, are professionally certified through Auto Magic. We attended a three-day course in Denver to receive the proper training, from carpet-dying to paint-polishing and waxing.

What philosophy do you follow in dealing with customers?
Under promise and over deliver - a person's automobile is usually their second-largest asset, so we are recreating the bond that the person had with the car when he (she) first bought it. Many people express themselves with what type of car they drive just like what kind of clothes they wear or restaurants they eat at.

RJ Limousines, Suburbans & Sedans of Vail, Inc.

P.O. Box 858

Beaver Creek, CO 81620

Phone:(970) 926-0111 - Toll Free: (800) 887-9643