Women in Business: Joyce Dabbs - Rare Transportation

Since purchasing Rare Transportation in 2009, company President Joyce Dabbs has encountered one big “problem:” growth. 

“We kind of had explosive business growth over nine years,” she said. 

Rare Transportation was purchased as an extension of Apex Valet (a company owned by her husband Joel) due to so many requests for wedding transportation.. 

And since then, Rare Transportation has taken off. 

“We went from one bus in 2008 to 14 in 2017,” she said. 

While it can be challenging to juggle such great expansion and a flourishing list of customers in addition to keeping up with federal regulations, Dabbs and Rare Transportation have taken it in stride and developed to provide services for a wide variety of events. She said they have been consistently getting five-star reviews for the quality work.

The company provides transportation for everything from daily events, such as airport transportation, to special occasions, including corporate and private events, weddings, prom, conferences and nonprofit events. 

Rare Transportation’s selection of vehicles available for rent includes 15-passenger vans, nine minibuses, an SUV and a modern trolley. They’re also the only transportation company in the area that has an antique trolley available for events.

Dabbs, who is a part of Alabama Wedding and Event Professionals and Executive Women’s International, said the company does a lot of volunteer work for nonprofit organizations and schools, too. 

“We definitely stay connected through philanthropy, volunteering … and local organizations,” she said. 

But something that truly makes Rare Transportation stand out is their attention to the customer and their employees.

“Really from the moment that they call, they [employees] try to give each customer special attention and assist with their itinerary planning,” Dabbs said. 

Through their customer service, Rare Transportation works with clients to find what options will work best for each event. Closer to the event, the company confirms the itinerary and makes necessary adjustments.

The drivers for each event also work to ensure client’s satisfaction. 

“I truly feel we have the best drivers,” Dabbs said. “Our drivers are always friendly; they’re upbeat. They know when it’s time to interact with the customer and when to be a driver.”

According to Dabbs, the best part of her job as president of Rare Transportation is working with the clients, which works together with their customer service. 

“I really like working with the customers the most,” she said. “I don’t like to sit behind a desk. I really like to be out there, interacting with people.”

► WHERE: 4525 Valleydale Road

► CALL: 980-7273

► WEBSITE: raretransportation.com

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