Family Business Success: 5 Rules to Remember

Rudys-Cadillac

Rudyโ€™s Executive Transportation, based in Greenwich, has been thriving for over 60 years. The initial Cadillac that launched their fleet, purchased by founder Rudolph โ€œRudyโ€ Spezzano, has now grown to include a collection of over 100 luxury vehicles. As they celebrate this milestone, the company is still family run, with Rudyโ€™s great-grandson, Rob Marino, the latest to join the family business. Rudyโ€™s son, Roy, who started as a chauffeur in 1964, now serves as Chairman and CEO. While the family aspect of Rudyโ€™s business model hasnโ€™t changed, the company has evolved to incorporate new technology like GPS monitoring of every vehicle as well as cutting-edge flight monitoring systems and traffic and weather services. Besides growing their fleet and adopting new technology, hereโ€™s how Roy Spezzano says his dadโ€™s company has succeeded for over six decades:

Knowing The Customers Come First
โ€œMany luxury car service companies do not have the same level of commitment to customer service as Rudyโ€™s. Our office staff of professional dispatchers and trained reservationists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and can be reached toll free from anywhere in the country.โ€

Making Safety Paramount
โ€œNothing is more important to us than your safety, which is why we are meticulous about our comprehensive insurance policy. Rudyโ€™s has gone above and beyond the Connecticut Department of Transportationโ€™s requirement of $1 million in insurance coverage as we currently have a $15 million insurance coverage policy!โ€

Treating Employees Well
โ€œNo other luxury car service company provides nearly as rich a benefits package to employees as Rudyโ€™s does. As a direct result, Rudyโ€™s has been able to attract and keep the best chauffeurs, administrative assistants and key managers throughout the organization. Our employees are well-trained, and in turn, provide only the best service to our clients.โ€

Planning Ahead
โ€œRudyโ€™s strives to be prepared for any situation, so having a contingency strategy is always ensured. We plan an alternative route in case of traffic or other circumstances and with over 100 vehicles, Rudyโ€™s can easily adapt to make sure you get where you need to be safely and on time.โ€

Maintaining Old-World Standards
โ€œThe company remains committed to keeping our founderโ€™s old-world standards alive. It is important to us and we know it is important to our customers. I think that is quite simply the key to Rudyโ€™s successโ€”both in the past and most definitely for the future.โ€

(left to right) Dan Spezzano, President (son of Roy and Sheila); Roy Spezzano, CEO; Sheila Spezzano, Executive Vice President; Dona Carlin, Vice President (daughter of Roy and Sheila); Rob Marino, Assistant Fleet Manager, (son of Dona and grandson of Roy and Sheila).
(left to right) Dan Spezzano, President (son of Roy and Sheila); Roy Spezzano, CEO; Sheila Spezzano, Executive Vice President; Dona Carlin, Vice President (daughter of Roy and Sheila); Rob Marino, Assistant Fleet Manager, (son of Dona and grandson of Roy and Sheila).

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