2 small businesses expand  to survive

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By Arundi Venkayya Cox, Business Editor 8:29 PM Saturday, March 6, 2010

Two local small businesses are using the economic downturn to their advantage — and offering lessons that other companies can learn from.

Drew Wilson, owner of Dependable Package Delivery in Centerville, and Jim Bolinger, owner of Westwind Limousine, were feeling the effects of the recession when they decided to look for new opportunities to expand their businesses.

For Wilson, the opportunity came in December when a competing company announced it was closing its doors.

He hired 11 drivers (who work as independent contractors) and a dispatcher and took over 60 percent to 70 percent of the other company’s customers.

Wilson, who worked at NCR Corp. for 25 years, is planning to launch a downtown bicycle courier route in April. The company will have multiple people to deliver packages by bike messenger, he said.

The service will be economical because it won’t have to spend money on gas or vehicle maintenance. That could result in a cost savings to the customer, he said. Wilson said the average bike delivery could be $2-$3 less than in a car.

Wilson’s advice for other business owners is simple. “Look for new opportunities,” he said.

Bolinger of Westwind Limousine Company and Westwind Limousine Rental started seeing a drop in business as a result of the downturn.

“With Dayton’s economy the past few years, it’s been a struggle,” he said. “To stay in the new economy, we needed to reinvent ourselves.”

Bolinger teamed up with Jim Back, a longtime friend, and created Westwind Airport Valet.

“If I didn’t do something, not only would I have to leave the Dayton market, but I might have had to close my doors,” Bolinger said.

The company has hired 13 people and plans to hire about 25 more by year end, Back said.

“We are listening to everybody’s suggestions and input,” Back said. “We are trying to be accommodating. What we are selling is service for affordable prices.”

Bolinger advises other businesses to look at assets and figure out, “What other markets can I enter? Find that niche to survive.”

Back said businesses can’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing. “We have raving fans and we are growing raving fans,” he said. “It’s a grass-roots effort.”

Do you know about good business stories in the Dayton region? DaytonB2B wants to hear from you. Send ideas to  avenkayyacox@coxohio.com.

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