World Class Detroit was honored to receive a People’s Choice Best of Canton 2023 Award in the category of Recreation, Entertainment & Travel. The Canton Chamber of Commerce hosted the awards ceremony at Cherry Hill Village Theater on November 8. The event was attended by chamber members, local dignitaries and members of the community at large.
World Class Detroit was voted the best among a diverse group of 20 local businesses, a mix of new and long-established businesses, including travel agencies, recreation centers, children’s play centers, and others. The call for votes included an email to chamber members and general promotion to members of the Canton community and southeast Michigan via social media.
Thanks to everyone who took time to vote for World Class Detroit!
Canton Chamber Board Chair Devon Smith (left) presents a People’s Choice Best of Canton Award to World Class Detroit owner Matt Haran.
I had the pleasure of driving wish kid Vann and his family for their recent trip to Orlando, courtesy of Make-A-Wish Michigan. This was World Class Detroit’s donated round trip for the month of November, and I was ecstatic it was for such a wonderful family. They were so friendly and appreciative of the opportunity Make-A-Wish Michigan had given them. And I learned their trip was perfectly timed because they had received the best news they could about Vann’s health. So it wasn’t just a fantastic trip, but a true celebration! I feel privileged to assist Make-A-Wish Michigan with their impactful work because they are giving hope and inspiration to kids like Vann and their families. Want to help make wishes come true? Visit Make-A-Wish Michigan!
This past Monday afternoon, I had the pleasure of hosting CBS News Detroit meteorologist/reporter Ahmad Bajjey for a ride-along interview. Ahmad had heard about my career-change story and thought it would make a nice feature for their local news coverage.
It was pretty interesting to see him putting the piece together. After I arrived at his home and he explained his vision for the segment, he began shooting various videos, from various angles, of me approaching my vehicle, loading my snacks and drinks into it, getting into it, and starting it. Then we were off driving around town while he interviewed me about what inspired me to retire from corporate communications, my experience as an entrepreneur, and my vision for World Class Detroit. I told him how WCD is well-positioned in the Detroit limousine market because I offer superior car service at a better price. Judging by WCD’s growth in just one year, word is spreading and it is very exciting!
Ahmad’s piece will air sometime in late November or early December, so keep an eye out for it!
Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News Detroit meteorologist/reporter (left), and Matt Haran, owner/chauffeur of World Class Detroit
Bold Journey magazine recently featured a Q&A with me about avoiding or overcoming burnout in a career. My one answer encapsulates my overall feeling about building this limousine business and why I’m excited every day to do the work I’m doing:
“As owner/chauffeur of World Class Detroit, I am privileged to be building a business based on rewarding relationships with my clients. I feel extremely lucky that I get to meet new people on a regular basis, while also building my relationships with the clients who use my service frequently. My business is growing almost exclusively through referrals by my clients to their families, friends and colleagues. I have discovered that I have a passion for service and am quite proud that my clients trust me to transport them and their loved ones safely and comfortably. World Class Detroit offers the very highest level of personalized service and most affordable rates for chauffeured car service in the Metro Detroit market.”
Southeast Michigan has an exciting new media outlet: Social House News. I love all the interesting news stories and profiles they do because they have a laser focus on POSITIVE happenings in the region. Too often the media focuses on negative stories because, unfortunately, the public has an appetite for the controversial, shocking and disturbing. But Ed Wright, editor-in-chief of Social House News, is turning traditional media on its head by doing “good news” well with interesting topics and great writing!
Check out this profile of World Class Detroit on Social House News and peruse all the other great content on their website.
JD Power named Detroit Metro Airport the best airport for customer satisfaction. (WXYZ TV story) Their study ranked DTW highest among mega airports in the U.S. by measuring traveler satisfaction in six categories: terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail. JD Power surveyed 27,147 U.S. or Canadian travelers who traveled through at least one U.S. or Canadian airport. (There was no mention of traveler satisfaction with limousine companies that provide limo service to DTW.)
I had a blast being interviewed by Canton Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Paden for the Chamber’s “Business Spotlight” show. The show aired at the beginning of September and is playing on Canton’s cable access TV channel throughout the month. Being in front of a camera is always challenging for me. After all, I spent most of my corporate communications career behind the camera writing messages, talking points and scripts for others to use! However, I remembered media training principles that I used when coaching others, and it all turned out fine. I’m actually very pleased with how I did — primarily because I think my passion for my new profession came through in the interview. If you haven’t had a chance to see the interview, you can find it here: World Class Detroit in “Business Spotlight.”
When I considered how World Class Detroit could “give back” to the community, Make-A-Wish® Michigan immediately sprung to my mind as a natural fit. I’m so happy they’ve allowed me to be part of the work they do supporting local children diagnosed with critical illnesses.
Each month, World Class Detroit donates one free luxury SUV round trip ride from Make-A-Wish Michigan families’ homes to the airport. In addition, WCD discounts already-low rates on additional rides they need.
I get to see the families on their way to what they expect will be their most memorable vacation. And the cool part is…they’re never disappointed! When I pick them up afterward, they excitedly tell me all about their trip, the things they did, the memories they made, and how well they were treated. I love that they get to have such a great experience, considering the challenges they face every day. The team at Make-A-Wish explained how these granted wishes give kids the hope and strength they need to keep fighting, and I am so proud to be a part of their journey.
My experience working with the wish coordinators has been wonderful. Their dedication and attention to detail makes it easy for me to support them and makes all the difference for these families. If you’re so inclined, I highly recommend you donate to support them in the work they do supporting local kids with critical illnesses: Make-A-Wish Michigan.
Connor, his dad, sister and brother at Flint Bishop Airport. Connor and his family were on their way to Orlando to visit Disneyworld and other theme parks, courtesy of Make-A-Wish Michigan.
Connor gives the thumbs up after returning home from their Make-A-Wish vacation to Orlando.
Last Tuesday, May 9, I celebrated six months in business with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Canton Chamber of Commerce at their office. Thanks to Chamber President Thomas Paden and Membership Director Pam Batcho for putting on a great event (photo credit: Kari Klavon). It was absolutely amazing to have my family and so many of my friends attend; and I was honored to have pillars of the community Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak and Tammy Haggerty, owner of Jacob Matthew Jewelers, in attendance, along with the Canton Chamber ambassadors. The weather cooperated and overall it was a fantastic day!
A client of mine founded and recently retired from a very successful local construction company. I asked him one time how he was able to be so successful. He said, “It was very simple. My success didn’t happen overnight, but I did what I told people I’d do and, when things didn’t go right, I spared no effort or expense to fix it.”
It’s a lesson I plan to lean on in my business. I want to exceed my clients’ expectations at all times. If a client isn’t satisfied with my service, I’ll do whatever I can to make it right.
