Smart50 rank: 23
Revenue: $1.61 million
Growth: 58.64%
Founders: Shaun Hogan, 45
Based: Queensland
Employees: 6
Industry: Transport
Website: www.bct-transfers.com
Brisbane-based transport company Business Class Transfers was established by Shaun Hogan in 1999 with the idea of providing luxury airport transfers at shuttle prices. The concept has found a ready market - BCT's luxury Toyota Taragos and Chrysler Voyagers shift around 4000 clients each month to South East Queensland's various airports and transport hubs.
In the past two years, revenue has grown by an average of 58.6%. It was $1.07 million last year, and reached $1.61 million in 2007-08. The company's website boasts that 80% of revenue comes from repeat business.
While Hogan says the business has been fortunate to avoid any near-death experiences, his greatest challenge was getting people to support and believe in his vision. "I learnt to be persistent and never give up."
His eventual goal is to grow BCT's brand. The company will expand from its South East Queensland base this summer and Hogan eventually hopes to make the company international. "We want to be the link between the plane and the accommodation or the client's home. So no matter where you get on or off your flight, BCT will be there and give you the consistency of service that clients deserve."
BCT is the first airport-transfer specific company in Australia to become a franchise, although Hogan expects others in the slow-to-move transport sector will eventually follow his move. "The problem [with this industry] is that it is not changing. That is what I am doing - making the change for the others to follow."
