From Car Sales to Luxury Transport: How a Rockford Man Built a Thriving Limousine Service

Josh Beitel turned a passion for customer service and luxury transport into Rockford Rides, Rockford’s first black-car service. From car sales to running a successful limousine service with a fleet of upscale vehicles, Beitel and his wife continue to drive their dream forward, serving clients throughout the Rockford region.

Seven years ago, Josh Beitel was navigating a career in car sales while driving for Uber on the side. However, he soon realized that neither pursuit felt like his true calling.

“I noticed that Rockford didn’t have black-car service,” Beitel explained. “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.”

Fast forward to today, and Beitel, now 46, has grown Rockford Rides into a local staple, with a team of 11 and a fleet of nine upscale SUVs and shuttles. From airport runs to concert venues, hotels, and more, his company serves customers throughout the region.

“Our service takes people anywhere they need to go in Rockford,” Beitel noted, “whether it’s the BMO Center for an IceHogs game, the Rockford City Market, or even a night out for bar hopping.”

Recently, Rockford Rides added a shuttle route to the Hard Rock Casino, complementing its already expanding corporate clientele.

Beitel credits his business background, customer service expertise, and love of cars for his company’s success.

“I loved helping people,” he shared about his time at Anderson Automotive’s Rock River Block, where he worked in car sales for almost two years. “I loved seeing people smile and enjoy new cars. So, I took that experience, bought new cars and now I’m the driver.”

Building Rockford Rides has been a team effort with his wife, Amy, who left her job early on to join him in the venture.

“We run this business together, getting people to places,” Beitel said.

Recently, Ann and Rick Gehrke, visiting from California, were among his customers. After finding themselves stranded at the Embassy Suites while waiting for an Uber that never arrived, they contacted Beitel.

“We just called Uber, and we were just standing here waiting,” said Ann. “And they’re not showing up.”

Although they missed their original bus to O’Hare, Beitel drove them directly to the airport, ensuring they caught their flight home in time.

New customers like the Gehrkes discover Rockford Rides every day, and Beitel is enthusiastic about the future.

“We just keep growing every year,” he said.

Source: My Stateline