Ridesharing is the new big thing when it comes to transportation. Companies like Uber have paved the way in terms of easy access to transportation. The simplicity of getting on your phone, opening an app, and finding reliable transportation has opened new doors. In the case of Rattan Joea, Founder and CEO of Opoli, bringing a little extra luxury to ridesharing was a great way to expand on the idea. We spoke with Rattan to learn more about his business, the name, and what advice he has for fellow entrepreneurs.
Tell us about your business and what led you to start your business?
We are the second leading rideshare transportation company in the United States. We have a network of over 50 companies throughout the United States and Europe. We make sure you are picked and dropped out from your home to the airport safely and on time.
We are also in the transportation technology space. We are shaping the way you move and providing you with a secure, convenience and cost effective option to travel. We see ourselves as a lifestyle service. We help you live your life in the most convenience, efficient, and safest manner. More important, we empower you to choose the type of lifestyle you want. That means something: choice, freedom, empowerment. What we are not is a glorified taxi service.
As for what led me to start my own business: opportunity. I bought in, at a young age, to the American Dream. I started off as a driver, saved, and was able to grow with the company. When given the opportunity, I bought the company and changed it for the better. Now I have a chance to change it again and proved great service, convenience, and safety thanks to our technology. I can’t image doing anything else.
How did you come up with your business name?
Opoli means opportunity for all. We took the word Opportunity and merged it with Monopoly to create Opoli. We want to provide opportunity for everyone in the market.
Why is the first impression so important for entrepreneurs and business owners?
You only get one chance to make an impression. We at Opoli and Prime Time Shuttle don’t leave anything to change. As a business owner, you have to own your mistakes and those mistakes affects everyone in your team not just you. As such, we have to always be on our “A” game. It’s a matter of principle. We represent a family of individuals and beyond. What I mean by that is we aren’t just accountable to ours but rather accountable to our customers and employees.
We all know the saying “happy wife happy life”. I like to say happy customers and employees, happy life.
Where do you see your business in the next 5 years?
We want to replace your vehicle. More to the point, we are going to be the software that runs your vehicle. In the current state of the transportation industry, the driverless car in only a few years away. We are positioning ourselves to be the software of choice that moves you, it be through a sedan, luxury SUV, or transit vehicle.
That’s why we are so excited. In a very real way, we will be shaping the way the world moves.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owner?
You must be madly in love with your business or else you won’t make it. It’s the only way. You have to have a clear cut picture of why you’re the first one up and last one out. It comes to the point that you are irrational, which is why it’s a question of love.
One other thing. Enjoy the process. Enjoy the ups and downs. It is the journey as much as the destination.