Today we’d like to introduce you to Dedra Lavallais.
Dedra, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started using a car service back in 2001 when I started my career as a traveling Software Consultant. From 2001 to 2020 (when the pandemic hit), I pretty much traveled 50 weeks out to the year with the exception of the week of Christmas and the week of Thanksgiving. So, for 20 years, I traveled from Sunday evening/early Monday morning to Thursday evenings/Friday mornings. So, my clients would reimburse all of my expenses including my trips to and from the airports every week (for 20 years). This was way before Uber and/or when it became en-vogue to use a car service. It was my life and what I knew as a business professional. I had the same driver for 12 years before he got sick and eventually passed. He would pick me up every week. He knew my garage code to get my luggage. When I would land back in Houston, he would be a baggage claim with my bag in hand. After Mr. Willie passed, I was introduced to another driver, Mr. Floyd, who is still with me today as my Lead Chauffeur for Sugarland XPRS. I found driving to the airport and then looking for parking and walking to the terminal way too stressful to do every week, twice a week, and for 20 years. This vision to own and operate my own Black Car Service came to me in 2006. As a weekly traveler, I meet lots of traveling consultants that could benefit from this service. And I could pay my own company to transport me weekly. Not to mention, there we very few car services that serviced this area at that time, so there was a serious need at that time. So, I actually got a DBA for Sugarland Express back in 2006. And I sat on it until 2022. In fact, when I went back to look at the DBA, it had expired in 2016. And when I reapplied for it, Sugarland Express was taken by a logistics/trucking company. So that’s why I had to change the spelling from Sugarland Express to Sugarland XPRS. In hindsight, it all worked out when and how it was supposed to. I work from home now, so I have time to dedicate to the business. And because these services are booked via the web, I rarely have to speak with customers which would have been challenging if I were onsite with a client. And of course, we have social media now which is the best way to advertise and showcase our service. With that being said, this business is personal to me. It is no different from having a yard man or a housekeeper. I had peace of mind and comfort knowing that my Chauffeur was going to show up every week on time and would get me to and from the airport safely. It was one less stressor for me. I want my clients to feel the same way, too. We have been blessed to have a good number of business travelers, and they know that we will get them to the airport safely and on time every time. And a lot of our trips start at 3 a.m. when the customer has 5-6 a.m. flights. A few of them, like myself, get into the back seat and take a snooze on the way to the airport, knowing that they will get there safely. Our fleet is comprised of late models Black Suburbans. So, they are comfortable and spacious, ensuring a smooth ride. And airport service is just one service that we provide. We also do a lot of Night Out on the Towns, Birthday Dinners, Sporting Events, Concerts. We have actually done a few weddings as well. Our motto is “We provide Executive Transportation for your inner BOSS!” Because everyone has an inner BOSS. We just pick and choose when we want to let him or her out. Lol!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No business is ever a smooth road in the beginning. Because we are licensed professionally and commercially insured, there were a lot of start-up costs with insurance and permits, and of course, you have to purchase vehicles. Black-on-Black Surburbans and Escalades are all now being used almost for livery services, finding the vehicles was very difficult. There are waiting lists for these vehicles, and if a used one shows up on the market, it’s gone in a day or two. I was blessed to have a good mentor, Mr. Nathaniel, that was retiring from the business who was more than willing to help me navigate the process. I thank God for him. And of course, I am the owner, but I am not an Operator. Trust me, you don’t want me driving you. Lol! So, finding good and dependable Chauffeurs can also be challenging. A typical day can be 2-3 trips a day for the Chauffeur, but that is not like working an 8-hr day. Additionally, some trips can end up lasting longer, such as an airport pickup that can be delayed by hours and the drivers still have to hang around the airport. So, for my Chauffeurs, it is not always glamorous. And people that are interested in getting in the business needs to understand that it is a 24-hour business. People fly out early and then fly in late. We have picked up customers after 2 am. And we do trips on holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day, and my Chauffeurs have to be away from their families. It really is a 24/7 business.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Sugarland XPRS?
Sugarland XPRS is an executive black car transportation service that specializes in providing clients with clean, comfortable, and stress-free transportation to and from the airport as well as to and from your important events and destinations. Our late-model vehicles are well-maintained and serviced, guaranteeing you reliable and comfortable service. Based out of Sugarland, Texas, we are the premier transportation company proudly serving clients in Sugarland, Richmond, Rosenberg, and the surrounding areas (including Houston, Pearland, Katy, and Cypress). Our experienced chauffeurs have 20+ years’ experience and are also local to our service areas, which allows them to better navigate the area in order to pick you up on time as they are familiar with what routes to take to get you to and from your destination safely and on-time. All chauffeurs are licensed and permitted and can go in and out of all the airports so that they can meet you at baggage claim to carry your luggage. They wear black suits with white dress shirts and black neckties at all times, ensuring a professional look at all times. Because of our permits, we are able to park in the limo lots at all airports. This ensures a very short walk from baggage claim. Our vehicles are always stocked with cold water, and our Chauffeurs make sure that the temperature is comfortable to the customer’s liking. Customers can request music and/or can feel free to connect to the Bluetooth to play their own if they desire. Our Customer Service is unmatched.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love it when our customers send us a text or message letting us know that they really enjoyed their travel experience with us. We have been told by customers that they felt like celebrities, Lol! I love compliments on the cleanliness of our vehicles. I love it when they complement my Chauffeurs. I know firsthand how stressful travel can be. It’s stressful just to drive downtown or to NRG. I love being able to take that stress off of my customers so that they can focus on the good time that awaits them. And if they are going to the airport, we can alleviate the stress associated with going to the airport and parking and the security line. I love seeing my vehicles. I love seeing my Chauffeurs looking so nice. I love making our customers feel BOSS! It’s personal to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SugarlandXPRS.com
- Instagram: sugarlandxprs
- Facebook: Sugarland XPRS, LLC
Image Credits
Sheen Photography
Emile C. Browne Media
