CLIENT OPPS: If George Jacobs, CEO of Windy City Limousine of Chicago, can promote the funeral industry as a recession-era opportunity for chauffeured operators, then we can certainly throw it all to the dogs as well. Jacobs encouraged operators to look for funeral home business during his speech at the Limousine Digest Show in Atlantic City, N.J. last week.
Dogs and dead people tend to be recession proof. Dog-lovers will do anyting for their pets -- in upturns and downturns. Pet-related purchases involve more emotion and impulse than most consumer retail decisions -- even choosing a casket and funeral arrangements.
And given the perponderance of pet pampering in a still relatively prosperous America, why not market to those dog and cat owners who spoil their pets? We now have pet salons, hotels, gift shops, bakeries, grooming and fitness services. . . why not dog-centric limousine services for pet and owner? In fact, co-marketing your livery services with veterinarian hospitals and practices can bring you repeat business. What better way to blunt the trauma of pet surgery than to offer limousine service to both pet and owner. After all, if a doggie luxury hotel with chauffeured services can make it, so can pet limos. -- M.R.
Print | posted on Monday, October 27, 2008 4:30 PM