Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Lentell.
Robert, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out renting a pedicab in Denver. I then went on to work for the manufacturer. I stayed in Denver until the 2008 DNC. Afterward, I thought it was time to move back to Chicago and see how business would go. I started renting from a local company, but I felt it was time to own my own. My friends went in on 6 broke down pedicabs. We fixed them up and split them between the group. That is where I got my first.
After a couple years I thought it was time to buy a second one. Found a great guy to rent it from me, and JBL was now more than a one-man operation. We had folks from Austin, Tx brings us cabs to lease and that is how we got the management title. That first renter is now a co-owner and between the two of us, we have bought a handful of cabs. We always get them used and fix them up. Making them unique to the fleet.
One of the many benefits of our buying used is learning new issues and tackling them. Whether it is learning to make interiors to having to figure out crafty ways of removing stuck bearings or wheels (salvaging working parts). I waited for the city to regulate the industry before I truly ventured into growing the fleet too much. We are regulated as of 3 years ago. So, now we have some consumer confidence to grow as we have drivers.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has sadly been mostly struggle, but it is starting to finally smooth out. Up until about 3 years ago, we were an unregulated market. Meaning we were a “grey area” as to if we could work. It truly was up to the police officers on duty that day. Some would tell us “park here and you are fine to work” and others would issue us tickets that would later be thrown out by the courts. It was quite frustrating at times.
We try to give people an amazing experience of site seeing and expedited transportation in congested traffic situations. So to be treated like we were low lifes was really hard. Sadly we still deal with this treatment with the regulation, but we at least have a permitting department behind us to say “no, they are legally allowed to work there now”. I have literally been told “too bad, get a real job” by the people who protect and serve. Anyway, that’s our rocky road.
Please tell us about JBL Pedicab Management.
We at JBL have some of the longest-running operators in the city. We know our city very well. Where most companies charge large amounts for a GPS guided driver, our drivers knowledge of the city surpasses our competitors. We take pride in our work and we also have the prettiest cabs in the city. I take pride in our drivers overall professionalism.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Riding my bike anywhere I wanted as long as I was home by sundown. I grew up in a small navy town northeast of Pensacola. This lead to lots of trail adventures in the woods and some swimming too.
Pricing:
- $5-$15 per mile
- $1-$2 per minute site seeing
- $60 per person two-hour tours
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jblpedicab.com
- Phone: 855-JBL-PEDI
- Email: jblpedicabmanagement@gmail.com
- Facebook: /jblpedicab
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