arniejolt
06-18-2009, 09:14 PM
"MobileJet" is actually a misnomer, there's no jet engine on this limosine...but there is a bathroom...
His name really is, Rich Mann, and between his wife’s law practice and his computer consulting business, he’s not exactly poor.
However, if his latest idea works out, Rich Mann could be on the road to easy street. One thing is for sure: When his new MobileJet rolls down the highway, heads turn.
In fact, this all started when Rich Mann’s head did some turning of its own. You see, the Manns own some land in the Hill Country and they’ve long toyed with the idea of putting a bed and breakfast operation on it.
Then they had another idea: How about launching a limousine service in conjunction with the B&B? They could pick up their clients and take them to the ranch for relaxation and a swim in a cool, clear creek. The limo could also serve as a shopping wagon, carrying the guests to nearby shopping Mecca of Fredericksburg for some browsing.
Just one big problem: That’s a lot of driving, and what would they do when the inevitable question came, "Could we stop somewhere; I need to go to the bathroom." The lack of a reliable answer to that question kept the Mann’s dreams on hold.
About that time, Mann was driving on a highway and he spotted a Mercedes van, newly converted into a camper by what turned out to be a North Austin outfit called Sportsmobile .
"I started thinking to myself, 'Well, there's a Mercedes with a bathroom in it,'" he said. "Then I realized that I could make one of these Mercedes into a limousine and take people through the Hill Country on a cruise."
Things started rolling. Mann found a business partner in a neighbor down the road from his Hill Country land. He enlisted the help of Sportsmobile for the conversion. He got an expert to select the color scheme, but he designed the layout himself. He added satellite TVs, reclining seats that swivel and privacy doors separating the cabin from the driver and the on board concierge, a sort of ground flight attendant.
Computer connections and a galley for catered meals came next. Then things came to a head, with the addition of an on board bathroom, complete with porcelain toilet and stainless steel sink.
He did all this with green materials, many of them recycled. Not only that, but Mann purchased carbon offsets to cover all of the polluting aspects of his business. Those offsets will help new green companies get off the ground.
" MobileJets is a completely ‘carbon neutral’ operation," he said.
Along the way, the mission changed. At the urging of a consultant, Mann kept the idea of weekend Hill Country excursions, but began to focus on weekday business trips for busy executives, attorneys and the like, who need to make day trips to places like Dallas and Houston.
"It's just faster to drive than fly under 200 miles," he said.
The question remains, however, will it work? Mann is convinced it will. In fact, he plans to see to it.
"When everybody is telling you, 'It's too expensive or nobody will ever use that and, and no, that can't be done;' if they're telling you it can't be done, find somebody who'll tell you it can be done," he said.
From KASA Austin:
http://www.kasa.com/dpp/news/strange/strange_kxan_Austin_man_launches_unique_limousine_ 2539381
His name really is, Rich Mann, and between his wife’s law practice and his computer consulting business, he’s not exactly poor.
However, if his latest idea works out, Rich Mann could be on the road to easy street. One thing is for sure: When his new MobileJet rolls down the highway, heads turn.
In fact, this all started when Rich Mann’s head did some turning of its own. You see, the Manns own some land in the Hill Country and they’ve long toyed with the idea of putting a bed and breakfast operation on it.
Then they had another idea: How about launching a limousine service in conjunction with the B&B? They could pick up their clients and take them to the ranch for relaxation and a swim in a cool, clear creek. The limo could also serve as a shopping wagon, carrying the guests to nearby shopping Mecca of Fredericksburg for some browsing.
Just one big problem: That’s a lot of driving, and what would they do when the inevitable question came, "Could we stop somewhere; I need to go to the bathroom." The lack of a reliable answer to that question kept the Mann’s dreams on hold.
About that time, Mann was driving on a highway and he spotted a Mercedes van, newly converted into a camper by what turned out to be a North Austin outfit called Sportsmobile .
"I started thinking to myself, 'Well, there's a Mercedes with a bathroom in it,'" he said. "Then I realized that I could make one of these Mercedes into a limousine and take people through the Hill Country on a cruise."
Things started rolling. Mann found a business partner in a neighbor down the road from his Hill Country land. He enlisted the help of Sportsmobile for the conversion. He got an expert to select the color scheme, but he designed the layout himself. He added satellite TVs, reclining seats that swivel and privacy doors separating the cabin from the driver and the on board concierge, a sort of ground flight attendant.
Computer connections and a galley for catered meals came next. Then things came to a head, with the addition of an on board bathroom, complete with porcelain toilet and stainless steel sink.
He did all this with green materials, many of them recycled. Not only that, but Mann purchased carbon offsets to cover all of the polluting aspects of his business. Those offsets will help new green companies get off the ground.
" MobileJets is a completely ‘carbon neutral’ operation," he said.
Along the way, the mission changed. At the urging of a consultant, Mann kept the idea of weekend Hill Country excursions, but began to focus on weekday business trips for busy executives, attorneys and the like, who need to make day trips to places like Dallas and Houston.
"It's just faster to drive than fly under 200 miles," he said.
The question remains, however, will it work? Mann is convinced it will. In fact, he plans to see to it.
"When everybody is telling you, 'It's too expensive or nobody will ever use that and, and no, that can't be done;' if they're telling you it can't be done, find somebody who'll tell you it can be done," he said.
From KASA Austin:
http://www.kasa.com/dpp/news/strange/strange_kxan_Austin_man_launches_unique_limousine_ 2539381
