Shows
Ground Transportation PodcastDash Cam Review: Motorcoach Mistakes CAUGHT ON CAMERASend us a textWhat happens when professional motorcoach drivers make unprofessional decisions—and it all ends up on camera?In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci analyze real dash cam footage showing unsafe motorcoach behavior, including early turns near pedestrians, rolling stops, aggressive lane changes, and road rage incidents. Each clip highlights a deeper issue: training gaps, lack of accountability, and reactive safety culture.Even if you're not in front of a screen to see the videos themselves, the conversation goes beyond th...
2026-02-041h 08
Ground Transportation PodcastThe 10-Part Business Planning Framework Ken Uses With Million-Dollar OperatorsSend us a textIn this solo episode, Ken Lucci outlines the 10-part business planning framework he uses with million-dollar transportation operators to drive predictable profits and long-term financial stability.Ken explains why most operators struggle—not because they lack effort, but because they lack a clear, executable plan. He walks through the core elements of a real business plan, including revenue targets, financial objectives, sales initiatives, service improvements, operational priorities, and people strategy.You’ll learn:What belongs in a serious business plan—and what doesn’tHow profitable operators plan for...
2026-01-2138 min
Ground Transportation PodcastHow James Limousine Grew to $4M ARR (Then Sold Successfully)Send us a textGrowing a ground transportation company is hard. Growing one that buyers actually want is even harder.In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci speaks with Randy Allen, former CEO of James Limousine, about his journey building a respected regional transportation company and successfully selling it after nearly two decades.Randy explains how James Limousine:Grew from $1M to $4M in revenue over 17 yearsBuilt a premium brand through community involvement and trustUsed profit-sharing to retain drivers and reduce riskFocused on corporate clients...
2026-01-071h 01
Ground Transportation PodcastWhere The Transportation Industry Is Headed in 2026Send us a textThe transportation industry is at an inflection point — and operators who fail to adapt may not survive the next phase.In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci offers a candid assessment of the state of the transportation industry, cutting through noise and speculation to focus on what truly matters for operators today.Ken explores the pressures reshaping the industry — from insurance and regulatory risk to operational discipline and leadership mindset — and explains why the gap between struggling operators and strong operators continues to wid...
2025-12-3146 min
Ground Transportation Podcast2025 Year in Review: The Conversations Shaping Ground TransportationSend us a textIn this holiday year-in-review special, Ken Lucci and James Blain reflect on the conversations, guests, and industry moments that made this past year such a pivotal one for ground transportation.From memorable origin stories and standout interviews to hard conversations about insurance pressure, safety expectations, and industry fragmentation, this episode captures the lessons operators can’t afford to ignore. The hosts revisit insights from across the podcast’s most impactful episodes, including reflections from major industry events and candid moments that reinforced why collaboration across transportation verticals is essential.This...
2025-12-2447 min
Ground Transportation PodcastRobot Drivers: Safer Than Humans… or Total Chaos?Send us a textAutonomous vehicles promised safer roads, fewer accidents, and a seamless future — but the real-world footage tells a very different story. In this episode, Ken Lucci and James Blain react to a curated set of shocking, hilarious, and sometimes disturbing AV clips, including Tesla autopilot mishaps, snowy-road confusion, near-miss lane changes, and even a tragic cruise-vehicle incident.From the “cardboard-box test” debate to the ethics of the trolley problem, they break down what the technology actually sees, how it makes decisions, and why operators shouldn’t assume AI thinks anything like a human. T...
2025-12-101h 05
Ground Transportation PodcastSBA Secrets for Operators: Funding, Readiness, and What Lenders Really Look For, with Natalie BeaneSend us a textIn this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Natalie Beane, an SBA and business-lending expert who helps small and mid-sized companies secure the capital they need to operate, grow, and survive challenging markets.Natalie breaks down how SBA loans really work, the differences between traditional banking and government-backed financing, and what transportation operators can do today to make themselves lender-ready. She explains why clean financials matter, how banks evaluate risk, the biggest reasons loan applications get denied, and the operational habits that signal stability to underwriters.Whether you're growing...
2025-12-0356 min
Ground Transportation PodcastUnbreakable Path: A Story of Loss, Resilience, and the Pursuit of Greatness, with Charlie HorkySend us a textOrder the book today: https://www.amazon.com/Unbreakable-Path-Resilience-Pursuit-Greatness/dp/1967424373/Industry legend Charlie Horky returns to the podcast to celebrate the release of his new book, Unbreakable Path — a raw, fast-moving account of how he built one of the largest limousine companies in the world, lost it all, and rebuilt his life and career from the ground up.In this conversation, Charlie shares what pushed him to finally write the book, the pivotal moments that shaped his rise at CLS, the missteps that nearly ended everything, and how he fo...
2025-11-191h 04
Ground Transportation PodcastThe Kayak of Rideshare: Exploring Obi's Price Aggregation with CEO Ashwini AnburajanSend us a textWhat if booking a ride could be as simple—and transparent—as booking a flight?That question inspired Obi, the world’s first true rideshare aggregator, and the focus of this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast. Host Ken Lucci sits down with Ashwini Anburajan, CEO of Obi, to explore how the company became known as “the Kayak of Rideshare.”Ashwini shares her journey from NBC political reporter to BuzzFeed data strategist to tech CEO, and how her obsession with consumer transparency led her to Obi—a platform that compares Ube...
2025-11-1257 min
ITS UP THERE PODCAST W/LOONEYBloody Jay On Why He Won’t Be Working With YFN Lucci + Lil Baby Putting Lucci On Stage & Young Thug + More | Part 2 Feat Bloody JayBloody Jay sits down to speak on Young Thug, YFN Lucci, Lil Baby, Gunna, Boosie, Kevin Gates, the YSL RICO case, Fulton County, Atlanta street politics, probation rules, and why he’s distancing himself now. This is Part 2 of Bloody Jay’s full interview. He explains how he moved with both Young Thug and YFN Lucci before the beef, why he chose Lucci when Atlanta split, how everybody got locked, and what changed after he came home. He breaks down Thug and Lucci cooling the situation, Lil Baby bringing Lucci on stage in Atlanta, and why he Cant stand next...
2025-11-0658 min
Ground Transportation Podcast2025 Industry Events Recap: Insights, Trends and Takeaways From the RoadSend us a textAfter a whirlwind season of industry events — from the Chauffeur Driven/NLA Show in Dallas, GBTA, IATR, CBA and more...Ken Lucci and James Blain circle the wagons and unpack the biggest trends shaping 2025 and beyond.In this Ground Transportation Podcast episode, they share key insights from research, analyst reports, and conversations with owners and operators across the country:The data behind a strong rebound in corporate travel, luxury hotels, and private aviationThe mounting pressure of insurance costs and what operators can do to prepareHow inflation and tariffs are reshaping ve...
2025-11-051h 08Ground Transportation PodcastWhy Your Insurance Costs Keep Rising (And What You Can Actually Do About It)Send us a textFor 14 straight years, commercial auto insurance has been unprofitable — and for operators, premiums keep climbing with no end in sight. In this hard-hitting episode, James Blain and Ken Lucci sit down with Tim Delaney, President of the Commercial Auto Division at Lancer Insurance, to unpack what’s really driving your insurance costs — and what you can do about it.Tim explains how “nuclear verdicts,” rising medical costs, and attorney-funded lawsuits have transformed the insurance landscape, why fleet owners are paying for systemic legal abuse, and how to protect your business before a claim ev...
2025-10-291h 01Ground Transportation PodcastThere’s No 'I' In Team: How To Work On (Not In) Your Business, With Steve FirestoneSend us a textAre you leading with a vision and strategy?In this episode, Ken Lucci sits down with Steve Firestone, founder of Firestone Strategies Group. They discuss essential strategies for small transportation businesses, focusing on financial acumen and strategic planning. Steve shares his extensive career experience in corporate America and the security industry, providing valuable insights into common pitfalls that entrepreneurs face. The discussion revolves around core values, organizational alignment, and the concept of working *on* the business rather than in it. CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome00:25 Introduction01:36 Background04:38 Business O...
2025-10-151h 03Ground Transportation PodcastA Thorn Between Two Roses: Recapping a Legacy of Growth and Expansion, With Mike & Tim RoseSend us a textWho says you shouldn't mix family and business?In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci sits down with industry veterans Mike Rose from My Limo and Tim Rose from Hoffman Transportation Group. Discover their journey from rental cars to growing a transportation business 10x from $4 million to $40 million in 5 years. Learn about the importance of customer service, technology adoption, and creating a culture of safety. They discuss the current challenges in the industry, such as insurance and technology, and share insights on future opportunities.
2025-10-011h 05Ground Transportation PodcastRetire Rich: Long-Term Business Success Starts With a Financial Roadmap, with Phil ShetsenSend a textPlan for your exit the right way.In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci sits down with Phil Shetsen, President of Bona Vita Benefits, who shares some common financial planning mistakes made by transportation operators. Phil emphasizes the importance of life insurance, benefits, and retirement planning. He shares his personal and professional journey, the mission to help others avoid financial pitfalls, and offers insights into creating robust benefits plans, tax strategies, and fostering long-term company growth by retaining top talent. CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction06:35 Background
2025-09-1059 minGround Transportation PodcastLife After Limo: From Operator to EOS Implementer, with Mike ZapponeSend us a textGet a grip on your transportation business with EOS.In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci introduces EOS professional implementer Mike Zappone, who shares his journey from limo operator to a professional implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Discover Mike’s journey from selling his transportation business to becoming an EOS implementer, and learn how you can elevate your business, align your team, and achieve sustainable growth. Learn the key principles of EOS and how they can transform your company into a well-oiled machine.
2025-08-271h 00Ground Transportation PodcastAppetite for Disruption: A Deep-Dive into AV Market Trends with Ken LucciSend us a textWho are the biggest players in the autonomous vehicle (AV) market? Let's find out.In this exciting episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci, Chief Business Analyst of Driving Transactions, shares research he has surfaced from secondary sources like Goldman Sachs, Bloomberg, and other business analysts, connecting dots for owners and operators on the verge of offering Autonomous Livery services.Ken provides compelling insights about the projected growth of AV robo-taxis, notable partnerships like Uber-Lucid-Nuro, safety concerns, regulatory hurdles, and the evolving business models that will shape the...
2025-08-1349 minGround Transportation PodcastDriving the Future: Embracing Automation and AI with Magiis CEO Leonardo GannioSend us a textOn this exciting edition of the Ground Transportation Podcast host, Ken Lucci, digs into the future of the chauffeur transportation industry with special guest Leonardo from Magis. They discuss the transformative power of AI and autonomous vehicles, addressing the challenges and opportunities these innovations bring. Learn about the importance of embracing new technologies, potential roadblocks, and the need for the industry to evolve.00:00 Intro + Welcome04:24 Why Magis Came to the USA06:57 Tech Monopolies and the Future10:21 Parallels with the Electronic Security Industry12:50 Not in the Business of...
2025-07-231h 03Ground Transportation PodcastSelling Value: Understanding Client Needs and Commanding Premium Prices, with Julie ThomasSend a textIn this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, host Ken Lucci from Driving Transactions sits down with sales industry icon Julie Thomas, author of 'The Power of Value Selling: The Gold Standard for Driving Revenue and Creating Customers for Life.' Explore the principles of value selling and learn how to differentiate your services by focusing on the unique needs of your customers rather than just price. Julie shares her extensive experience and provides actionable insights on cultivating customer loyalty, the importance of asking the right questions, and how to maximize the l...
2025-07-021h 08Ground Transportation PodcastMastering Airport Transfers: How to Unlock Revenue by Cultivating Airline Client LoyaltySend a textIn this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci discuss the crucial role airport transfers play in the chauffeured transportation industry. They emphasize the importance of retaining airport transfer services to attract corporate clients and explore strategies to deepen relationships with existing clients. Ken and James share valuable insights into targeting wealthy zip codes, leveraging LinkedIn for networking, and enhancing service offerings to outperform TNCs like Uber and Lyft. Listen in to discover actionable tips for increasing your revenue by optimizing airport transfer services.C...
2025-06-2552 minGround Transportation PodcastStop Chasing Volume: How to Preserve Your Brand Reputation and Profit GrowthSend us a textIn this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci explore the pitfalls of chasing volume in the transportation industry. They discuss why focusing on low prices and high volume can be detrimental to your business, potentially leading to financial distress and poor customer loyalty. They emphasize the importance of knowing your worth, setting the right pricing, and prioritizing quality over quantity. Listen in as they share real-life examples, revenue strategies, and tips on how to build a sustainable and profitable business model. CHAPTERS:00:00 Welcome03:28 Migration t...
2025-06-041h 02Ground Transportation PodcastCreate-A-Card: A Legacy of Transportation Company Branding and MarketingSend us a textIn this episode of the Crown Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain are joined by Arthur and Drew Messina from Create-A-Card. They discuss the essential marketing strategies for the ground transportation industry. The conversation highlights the role of business cards, postcards, and innovative swag items in cultivating relationships and growing businesses. They also address the relevance of modern tools like digital brochures and electronic marketing, sharing insights on how to balance traditional and digital marketing to build a successful brand. In this conversations, you'll hear:Marketing trends in ground t...
2025-05-211h 12Ground Transportation PodcastBreaking Into Motorcoach: Vehicle Trends, Financing, and More with Eric CoolbaughSend us a textIn this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain chat with Eric Coolbaugh from Advantage Remarketing, discussing the evolution of his business and its impact on the transportation industry. In this episode, you’ll hear:Eric’s journey in the transportation industry from furloughed to flourishingWhat do look for in your first motorcoach purchaseMajor vehicle trends over the past three decadesPerception vs reality of ‘Sprinters’ in the minds of consumersWhat banks look for when you need financingThe significance of building strong industry relationshipsRegister for the CD/NLA Vega...
2025-04-301h 13Ground Transportation PodcastRock N’ Roll Pioneer: Charlie Horky’s Epic Journey in Ground TransportationSend us a textIn this podcast episode, hosts Ken Lucci and James Blain interview Charlie Horky, the legendary founder of Slade Services, who shares his journey from washing cars to running a $70 million limousine service empire. In this episode, you’ll hear:How Charlie Horky went from washing cars to owning a fleet of vehiclesCharlie’s unique approach to training his chauffeurs like Navy SealsCharlie’s experiences dealing with high-profile clients like Jimmy Buffet and PrinceThe role relationships and impeccable service play in luxury transportationA preview of Horky’s upcoming book documenting his challenges, resilience, and ulti...
2025-04-161h 14Ground Transportation PodcastDistracted Driving: The Impact on Passenger Safety, Insurance Costs, and Your Bottom LineSend us a textLearn more about proactive driver training programs today: https://paxtraining.com/In this episode of the Ground Transportation Podcast, Ken Lucci and James Blain discuss the importance of taking proactive measures to create a culture of safety within your ground transportation company. In this episode, you’ll hear:The basic elements of distracted driving and why it’s important to be proactiveWhat does it mean to build a culture of safety?Examples of safety in actionThe role of telematics in driver trainingThe paradox of of the ‘days without an accident’ mentalit...
2025-04-091h 04Ground Transportation PodcastAffiliate Relationships: Growing Networks and Building Trust in Luxury Transportation, with Paul PasternakSend us a textIn this episode of the Ground Transformation Podcast, James Blain and Ken Lucci interview Paul Pasternak, the Director of Affiliate Relationships for Legends Limousine. Paul shares his journey in the transportation industry, starting from his family's local car service in Brooklyn to building a robust affiliate network at Legends Limousine. In this conversation, you’ll hear:Paul’s story growing up in the transportation industry, and the decision to pursue the luxury marketWhy it’s so important (and challenging) to train staff to ask for return tripsThe unique niche market of car seats...
2025-04-021h 12