By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Let the good times roll. GTR Limousine & Party Services LLC Owner Ruth Joiner had never been on a party bus when she gambled on a new business based in Great Bend. Now, the party bus business is booming. GTR was recently selected from more than 2,000 businesses as a Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 2023 Emerging Business of the Year. Joiner gives credit to Susan Penka with the Fort Hays State University SBDC.
"Honestly, I didn't even realize it was that big of a deal," Joiner said. "Susan has been so amazing and just did her job over and above when I needed the funding to have the business going. I kind of went up there for her and didn't even realize what a big deal it really was."
Each year, the SBDC nominates businesses from each of its eight service areas for state-wide recognition. Penka nominated GTR for the North Central region that covers 12 counties, including Barton and Ellis. On March 2, Joiner and full-time staffer Jennifer Turner headed to Topeka to receive the award. Governor Laura Kelly opened the event, and business owners spent time on the floor of the Kansas House meeting various state legislators.
In the company's early stages, Joiner operated with just one limousine. Great Bend Economic Development Director Sarah Arnberger encouraged Joiner to visit with Penka to develop a business plan. Since then, GTR has expanded to three full-size party buses, a Cadillac Escalade limousine, and the standard limousine - the only vehicle in the fleet now that does not require a commercial driver's license to drive.
"We're rocking and rolling," Joiner said. "We get all sorts of people reaching out all the time. It's pretty amazing, actually. I know we've put a lot of work into it. It's really taken off. We've probably doubled or more what we did in the first year."
While based in Great Bend, GTR is willing to travel. The company has been part of several local events, including Hoisington's Annual Labor Day Celebration. Buses have traveled as far as Manhattan and Dodge City to provide safe transportation for partygoers.
"We do a lot of weddings, and we do a lot of quinceaneras," Joiner said. "We do a lot of birthdays and bar crawls. We just started doing some shuttle stuff. For us, it's a big deal to keep our people safe."
GTR currently has just two full-time employees in Joiner and Turner, with several part-time drivers. As a 2023 Emerging Business winner, GTR will still be eligible for Existing Business awards in future years. CLICK HERE to see all the business offers.