Photo Courtesy Of Limo Miami
As a child in Ankara, Turkey’s capital, Oguzhan “Oz” Akgun planned to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a hotel general manager. He first studied hotel management at Bilkent University in his hometown before transferring in 2010 to the now-shuttered Johnson & Wales University in North Miami Beach to complete his degree.
While in Miami, Akgun worked as a front desk agent at the upscale hotel The Setai Miami Beach. After receiving Forbes Travel Guide hospitality training, he noticed a gap in five-star customer service within the luxury transportation industry. That observation sparked the idea for his own business, focused on providing high-level service in this space. To learn the business, Akgun worked as a livery driver for three months and saved money for a down payment on his first vehicle.
In 2012, in his early 20s, he launched his own business, becoming the founder and CEO of Limo Miami. Fast forward 12 years, and the 36-year-old Miami Beach resident oversees an expansive fleet of luxury sedans, SUVs, limousines and buses, including a party bus complete with disco lights and a sound system.
Although he can’t reveal names, some very influential people in the worlds of sports, music, TV, movies, business and government have ridden in his vehicles. Sometimes, the most precious cargo isn’t a passenger. One of Limo Miami’s peak periods is during Art Basel, the prestigious international art fair held in Miami each December, which attracts collectors, artists and celebrities from around the world.
“We drove some paintings,” he says. “I do not know their exact value, but we had to get supplemental insurance.”
Akgun’s top priority is providing passengers with convenience. He wants them to feel comfortable and let their driver handle the thinking. Because he believes communication is key to delivering a superior customer experience, he employs drivers who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.
Akgun is the first, and, as far he knows, the only livery company owner who certifies drivers with Forbes Travel Guide hospitality training. Recently, he was elected president of the Greater Miami Limousine and Bus Association.
“I like to be the one who innovates and adds something to the world,” he says.