Monday Q&A: Fueling up for another big year

Joey Anderson has 10 drivers working for his taxi company. But the 22-year-old entrepreneur doesn’t intend to give up his time behind the wheel, shuttling Richmonders to and from the airport or downtown bars.

Anderson and his brother Jeff started BioTaxi last year. They are about to launch a new car service called BioRide. Anderson talked with Richmond BizSense about his future and why he’s so pumped to speak at an event with Richard Branson next month.

Below is an edited transcript.

Richmond BizSense: When we talked last summer, the company was just you and your older brother, Jeff. Now I see you are speaking at an event called Richmond Unite in September with Richard Branson. That’s the Richard Branson, right?

Joey Anderson: Jeff and I are just so excited about it. That guy is brilliant and has a passion for music and business, just like us. We ended up getting asked to speak at Richmond Unite after we spoke at a local event about innovation.

RBS: Last year you and Jeff were the only drivers for your company. What’s your staff like now?

JA: I think we’re up to 10 drivers. We’re still expanding. But Jeff and I still love to drive. Jeff drives more because I am still taking summer classes, but we want to experience the same thing that our drivers are experiencing.

RBS: What’s BioRide?

JA: We launched a new transportation service called BioRide that puts us on a bigger playing field and lets us handle larger group travel – that executive, black-car service.

We put an iPad in the back for the guests to use as well as a full mobile workstation with wireless Internet. And we’re still using the Mercedes Benz and still using biodiesel.

RBS: How many vehicles do you have?

JA: Four. We have a new Mercedes Sprinter 12-passenger van and a new Mercedes R-Class.

RBS: When we spoke last year, you were having trouble getting your taxi license in the City of Richmond because your cars were older so that you could convert them to run on used cooking oil.

JA: That’s part of why we went with a for-hire designation and applied for the for-hire tags. But it’s an awesome window for us.

RBS: What is the biggest thing you’ve learned over the past year?

JA: Networking is key. Whether it’s our bars and restaurants where we pick up grease or our corporate clients, everyone helps each other. I knew it was part of business, but seeing how much networking is key to any business … that’s been a big lesson.

RBS: What’s the biggest challenge?

JA: Right now, it’s getting more competitive for used grease. [The company picks up free used cooking oil from local restaurants to fuel their fleet.] With the trend of gas prices going up, some grease companies are getting a tighter grip on the supply.

So we are strengthening our bond with our grease suppliers [restaurants] by advertising their establishments in our cabs and trying to take our passengers there as well.

RBS: Do you still process the used oil yourself?

JA: Yes. I love doing it. It’s really interesting. I love going to the restaurant and picking up the grease, and turning it into fuel for the cars.

Aaron Kremer is the BizSense editor. Please send news tips to [email protected].