Today we’d like to introduce you to Frenchye Mike.
Hi Frenchye, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have faced many obstacles along the way, but have always stayed true to my mission. I always wanted to help others, I believe that this is my sole purpose. One of the biggest challenges was starting a business with little to no capital.
This is a significant problem for black-owned businesses, we often have little or no access to capital, and are not always privy to what specific funding sources are available and how to qualify. I worked my full-time job 5 days per week and taught classes for my driving school 3 days per week. At times, I worked almost 60 hours per week and had little to no time to spend at home with my husband and children.
I sacrificed my weekends to teach classes on Saturdays and Sundays but I knew that I would not do this forever, I was setting the foundation for what I wanted my business to look like. I was creating a brand, yes I was tired and wanted to throw in the towel but I did not stop, I kept making myself available for my clients. I attended yearly training, webinars, and seminars where I had to pay out of pocket for every expense, but I knew it would be worth it, I knew it would pay off.
Due to not having any lump savings or outside investments, I took every penny from my full-time job and put it directly into my business. I delayed gratifications because I had seeds that needed sowing. I kept going even when I didn’t feel like it. Another challenge was tapping into an area that was already dominated by a few select schools. It took me about a year after, I got my approval before I was able to teach a class. I had to build a clientele from one to several 100s.
I had to create a name for myself in the world of automobile driving schools, and I am continuing to do that today. I am aware that entrepreneurship comes with challenges, nothing comes easy, you must work at it, and surround yourself around a tribe of people that will constantly keep you lifted. Most importantly, you must believe in yourself and your own capabilities, and not let fear take up space.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Started in 2017, #PremierDriverEducationServices is a locally owned Automobile Driving School in Savannah Georgia. We are located in the historic district in downtown Savannah, GA. We share a space with Bynes-Royall Funeral Home and are housed on the bottom level of the business.
What sets my business apart from any other driving school in Georgia is my location, it gives you a real-life perspective. I’m sure that we are the only driving school housed in a funeral home.
I tell clients this, “If you keep driving the way you do, making those high-risk choices, you or someone you love may end up here. Due to Covid-19, we transferred to the virtual setting, and have been able to reach a wider clientele outside of our service area. However this month, we are moving back into our brick and mortar location to begin in-person instruction.
We are currently approved and licensed by the state of Georgia to conduct 3 types of driver services. Our 6-hour Driver Improvement Course is for individuals looking to take points off their license, reinstate after a suspension, court-mandated to attend traffic school, and to also lower their car insurance.
We also teach the 20 Hour DUI/Risk Reduction course for individuals who have a drug or alcohol-related driving offense. Our third and newest service is our Behind The Wheel Training, for current permit holders we have the ability to teach students how to drive.
Typically held in 2-hour increments the student will take full control of the driver’s seat alongside our certified instructor who has their own brake pedal! As part of our behind-the-wheel, we also teach the 30-hour mandated teen drivers course that each 15-17-year-olds in our state is mandated to take. Lastly, we are expanding to add additional services in the Commercial Driver training arena.
We certainly have our hands full, and without the assistance of our dedicated staff who work effortlessly to educate our community on the importance of driving and its psychology of it, we would not be who we are today.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is a mindset, success is interchangeable. Success is what you feel that makes you smile, it’s what gives you butterflies. Success is looking in the mirror and seeing what everyone else sees. I had to define success according to my own timeline.
I had to get rid of someone else’s timeline and expectations, and started trusting in my own strength. Success is waking up in gratitude, for all of your hard work from the day before. Success is not letting fear take the leading role in life, success is a referral, success is a thank you from a customer. Success is a parent calling and saying their child got their license.
We have to define what success looks like from our own lens, and never compare our lives to someone else, ‘s because comparing is the thief of joy. Success starts from within and is very contagious. “I win for me, is a win for us all.”
Pricing:
- 6 Hour Driver Improvement Course $95.00
- 20 Hour Risk Reduction Course $360.00
- 2 Hour Private driving lesson $140.00
- 30 hour online Joshua’s Law $69.00
- 30/6 Teen Drivers Course & BTW Training $420.00
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.premierdrivered.com
- Instagram: @premierdrivered
- Facebook: Premier Driver Education Services LLC
