DRIVEN TO SUCCEED: Limo service focus of Canton man’s mid-life lane change

Why deal with all the headache-inducing hassles that come with driving yourself to the airport or concerts — construction, parking, securing a designated driver, etc. — when Matt Haran will do it for you.

Following a successful 23-year corporate communications career, the longtime Canton resident decided to shift gears after retiring from Bosch in December of 2021.

Haran spent a few post-retirement months traveling and driving for a metro-Detroit car service before he ultimately realized, “Hey, I can do this on my own.”

Since November of 2022 when he launched World Class Detroit, Haran has been living the self-employment dream.

First-class ride

He purchased a blacked-out GMC Yukon XL with tinted windows and two stylish black chauffeur suits.

He spread the word on his new venture largely through word-of-mouth marketing.

Before Haran knew it, his list of dedicated clientele was filling up as fast as parking spaces at an Elton John concert at Little Caesars Arena.

“I spent a couple months decompressing after I retired from Bosch (he also worked several years for Blue Cross/Blue Shield),” Haran reflected. “Then I started thinking, ‘What is going to get me excited to get up and go every morning?’

“Once I started driving for another transportation service, it just grabbed me. I loved the interaction with clients, I’m always on the move. I’m a curious person, so I love learning about what my clients do for a living, about their careers and families. I’ve gotten to know a lot them and build relationships.”

Just chilling is fine, too

Haran emphasized, though, that he’s cool with driving someone to their destination with minimal conversation.

“If they’d rather just kick open their laptop and do some work, or close their eyes and relax, I totally understand and I just drive,” he said.

Haran’s work vehicle — which he stocks with snacks and beverages before every drop-off or pick-up — comfortably seats six passengers, who are treated to a world-class limousine ride.

As of last month, Haran said approximately 90% of his business has consisted of driving people to and from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

“I expect my concert-related business to grow quite a bit toward the end of this year,” he revealed. “I’ve also worked a few proms and other events, but the taking and picking up people to and from the airport has been my forte, so far.”

Tricks of the trade

Haran, who has always enjoyed driving — whether it was on long family vacations or shorter drives to work — has quickly learned to tricks of the limousine-service trade, he revealed, smiling.

“Dropping off people at their destination is pretty easy,” he said. “Picking them up can be a little trickier. For instance, the available spots for picking up people after a concert at, let’s say, Little Caesars, are limited, so you have to get there at least an hour before a concert ends to jockey for a spot.

“I’m learning something new every day, but it’s really been an exciting journey so far.”

Haran has learned that clients love the service he provides because, after all, the last thing someone needs after they spend hundreds of dollars on concert tickets is a stressed-out drive to and from the music venue.

Money-saving service

“Plus, when they use World Class Detroit, they save money on parking and they can split my fee with four or five other people,” he said. “It makes using my service totally worth it.”

On a heart-warming note, Haran has developed a strong relationship with Make-A-Wish of Michigan, for whom he offers discounts for families traveling to fun destinations.

“I’ve probably driven 40 Make-A-Wish families to and from the airport this year and the discounts have probably totaled around $5,000,” he shared. “I love helping these families because, in a lot of cases, this is their first time flying … it’s their dream vacation.”

Haran’s business has grown faster than his initial expectations.

Business better than expected

“When I started, I figured if I could do 60 rides a month by the end of the first year, I’d be happy,” he said. “But I had that many in the first few months.

“I have a big October coming up, too and I’m already getting bookings for November, December and January.”

Haran is already envisioning expanding his fleet of vehicles.

“I have received a lot of help from family, friends and the Canton Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “I’ve received referrals from a lot of my clients. For instance, one client told his boss about my service and the boss told his family. It’s cool how word-of-mouth can help a small business like mine grow.”

To learn more about how you can utilize World Class Detroit and the business’s rates, visit Haran’s website at www.worldclassdetroit.com.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.