ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Josh Beitel was selling cars while moonlighting as an Uber driver seven years ago when he realized it wasn’t what he wanted to do long term.
“I noticed that Rockford didn’t have black-car service,” Beitel said. “So, I sat down and wrote a business plan, and in 2018, launched Rockford Rides, Rockford’s first black-car service—just one guy with one car.”
Today, 46-year-old Beitel has 11 employees and a fleet of nine luxury SUVs and shuttles, vehicles they use to transport customers to places all over the region—airports, concert venues, hotels.
“Or anywhere they want to go in the Rockford community, whether it’s the BMO [Center] for an IceHogs game, Rockford City Market, or maybe they want to do a night of bar hopping,” he said.
Rockford Rides has also just started a shuttle service to and from the Hard Rock Casino that complements a growing corporate client base.
Beitel said his business training, customer service skills and love for cars all play a role in keeping Rockford Rides a successful, local operation.