Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Boutillier.
Hi Jeremy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a consultant in Tech industry (see my LinkedIn profile), and have 17y of professional experience in the corporate world. I’m originally from Brussels, Belgium, where I met my wife, Jess, who is from Philadelphia, PA. She used to work for AB InBev and was sent as an expat to the HQ, the Stella Artois brewery. We married and got pregnant in Brussels. But life and work brought us to the USA, and New Tork City, where we lived for 4y. A house and two kids later, we decided to move to Charleston. We used to come here for vacation, and visit my brother and sister in law (also from Philadelphia, PA, but she graduated from College of Charleston). Covid happened, both working remotely, we decided to move down here.
The plan was always to exit the corporate world gradually, I still work 25% of my time as a Tech Consultant and I started Holy City Bike Rentals beginning of this year.
Why bike rentals? Because I see a list of synergy with tourism, and vacation rentals. It requires little investment with little risks, and I met with several other bike rentals owners from different areas and I was able to see their success and the very high demand during high season April to October.
I always wanted to start my own business, I always loved biking and promoting a non polluting rental service and make sure people are having a good time while they are here, is very rewarding.
I have a growing fleet and a growing demand, I have partnered with multiple other businesses and I keep scaling up.
Alright, 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?
I wouldn’t say it was easy, but the demand for bike rentals is there, we are very lucky to be living in a highly touristic place, a lot of people come here from far to vacation, even from outside the US.
But the ‘how to put all the pieces together’ and finetuning is a constant process, I wouldn’t say I struggled, but it surely was (and still is!) a learning curve, in terms of learning:
– about e-commerce, SEO and online advertising best practices
– how to build a website on Shopify by myself
– how to fix, repair and maintain bikes
– to learn how to create an llc, and taxation
– to adjust with personal life since it’s virtually a 24/7 service (if something is wrong with the bikes, they will call you right away, and you have to take care of it)
The key is to provide a service of quality and to reach the people who are looking for bike rentals. It sounds easy, but in practice, it requires learning and knowing about all the above, and constantly improving on learnings and experiences.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Holy City Bike Rentals?
We are the only white glove bike rentals in Charleston area that offers bike rentals, and also repair and maintenance. Delivery is free, and we come to you, no need to go to the bike shop.
There is nothing to worry about, we take care of everything. And we be flexible.
I currently have a partnership with Credit One stadium and the Daniel Island Ferry, people can buy a ticket and also book a bike, waiting for them, for half a day or a full one. We offer this for people going to Daniel Island, or people going downtown.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Always have been an entrepreneur, very independent and also travelled a lot to many places as soon as starting college. Since I was a kid I am very confident in everything I say or do and I guess that’s why I ended up being a good consultant and sales person. I am a natural charmer, I just like make people feel good about themselves.
Pricing:
- Daily/2days rentals starting at 25$/bike
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.holycitybikerentals.com
- Instagram: Holycitybikes
