I sat down with David Lopez, from Denver’s Preferred Limo, to talk about how he jumped from a supply-chain career into chauffeured transportation.
The conversation was part origin story and part playbook for growing sustainably in a seasonal market.
The moment he realized driving was more than a side hustle
Why starting small matters more than starting perfect
How “doing things right” changed everything
The biggest mistake new operators make (and how to avoid it)
In this article
From 9-5 job to full drive
David spent years climbing the ladder in supply chain, eventually becoming a senior buyer.
It was stable. Predictable.
But like so many of us, he had that itch… the one that says, “There’s something more out there.”
On evenings and weekends, he drove for a small black car service.
It started as a side gig… but quickly turned into something more.
“It didn’t feel like work,” he said. “I’d go to my job, then go drive. That part actually felt like fun.”
That feeling evolved into:
“How can I make this my full-time career, and make it pay like my current job?”
Starting smart (not big)
When David decided to go all in, he did what most people don’t… he started strategically.
He didn’t just jump in blind. He researched permits, insurance, vehicle options, and how to structure his business the right way.
He watched interviews and videos from other operators (some of you reading this right now), learning from their stories.
He bought an Escalade to start. Was it necessary? Not really.
But it opened doors to affiliate work that required luxury SUVs.
More importantly, he kept that vehicle spotless, detailed to perfection, because presentation matters just as much as price in this industry.
His mindset was:
“I wanted to do things right from day one.”
The secret that separates side hustles from businesses
What struck me most was his attention to the client experience.
He understood early that driving people isn’t the business. Serving people is.
A clean car, a sharp look, and a likable attitude.
That’s what keeps clients coming back and affiliates picking up the phone.
He didn’t rely only on affiliate work, though.
He realized the only way to take control of his future was through marketing… building his own brand, generating his own leads, and owning his client list.
And that’s the shift every successful operator eventually makes.
Avoid this at all costs
I’ve helped hundreds if not thousands of limo companies.
The biggest mistake I see new operators make?
They rely too heavily on affiliate work instead of building their own pipeline.
Affiliates are great for filling in the gaps, but if you depend on them entirely, you’re at the mercy of someone else’s demand.
The real turning point for David came when he realized marketing wasn’t optional. It was essential.
Once he invested in learning how to generate his own leads and build his own brand, everything changed.
THAT is when the “side hustle” officially became a thriving business.
Want to listen to our conversation? Check out the clip below:
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