Today we’d like to introduce you to Hamdi Hmimy.
Hi Hamdi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m excited to share with you my journey as the co-founder of Roma Exotics, a thriving luxury car rental business based in Dallas, Texas. My passion for entrepreneurship and building new things, combined with a background in software development, led me to explore the world of luxury car rentals. With my childhood best friend and business partner, Abdul Rashid, we saw an opportunity in Turo, a ride-sharing app that had gained popularity in the past two years.
After writing code to analyze and discover the most profitable vehicles on Turo for our area in Dallas, we decided to turn this into a real business. Starting with our first car on Turo, we slowly built out a private rental company and started to build a brand that would allow people to experience exotics in the Dallas area. Our commitment to providing exceptional customer service, attention to detail, and a carefully curated fleet has earned us a reputation as a trusted partner in the luxury car rental industry.
But our vision didn’t stop there. We also found a strategy to broker vehicles with the biggest exotic car partners in Dallas, which allowed us to offer even more luxury car options to our clients. This partnership has been crucial in expanding our fleet and meeting the growing demand for luxury car rentals in Dallas.
In addition to our car rental business, we also wanted to create a community of car enthusiasts who share our passion for style, luxury, and adventure. That’s why we launched a clothing brand that captures the essence of the exotic car lifestyle with unique designs that merge the world of exotics and streetwear. Our clothing brand allows our clients to extend the Roma Exotics experience beyond just driving one of our cars, creating a connection with like-minded people who share their love for fashion and cars.
At Roma Exotics, we’re not just a luxury car rental business or a clothing brand, we’re a lifestyle. Our passion for cars, fashion, and adventure is reflected in everything we do. We’re committed to providing our clients with the ultimate luxury experience, both on and off the road. Whether you’re looking to impress your clients, treat yourself to a weekend of luxury, or simply show off your style, Roma Exotics is the perfect choice.
Join us on this journey and experience the thrill of driving one of our cars while also showing off your style with our clothing brand. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Roma Exotics family.
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?
One of the biggest struggles we faced was slow months in the winter. During the winter season, demand for luxury car rentals in Dallas tends to decrease significantly, which led to a decrease in our revenue. However, we refused to let this setback discourage us. We developed a new marketing strategy to target customers looking for unique holiday experiences and created special packages and promotions that incentivized customers to rent our cars during the winter season.
Dealing with tough customers was also a challenge. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service, but sometimes we encounter difficult customers who are unsatisfied with our services. We’ve learned to handle these situations with patience and professionalism and always aim to resolve any issues quickly and effectively.
Another struggle we faced was getting the brand off the ground with marketing. As a new business, we didn’t have a large marketing budget, which made it challenging to get our name out there. However, we got creative with our marketing efforts and used social media platforms, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising to reach our audience. We also focused on building strong relationships with our customers and providing them with an unforgettable experience, knowing that word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing.
Despite these challenges, we remained committed to our vision and worked tirelessly to overcome them. Through hard work, dedication, and a never-give-up attitude, we’ve been able to overcome these struggles and build a thriving business. We’re proud of how far we’ve come and grateful for the support of our customers and the Roma Exotics community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a Sales Engineer at a booming start-up, I look back at my professional journey and can hardly believe how far I’ve come. It all started at the young age of 18 when I first began my career as a software developer. I quickly realized my passion for cutting-edge technology and was determined to pursue a career that would allow me to stay at the forefront of the industry.
Over the years, I’ve worked at several start-ups, each one presenting new challenges and opportunities for growth. These experiences have taught me the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and taking calculated risks.
One of the most significant experiences in my career was working at AWS (Amazon Web Services), where I gained invaluable experience in cloud computing, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS) solutions. My time at AWS allowed me to gain an in-depth understanding of the cloud computing industry and how it is transforming businesses worldwide.
I am known as a connector, someone who enjoys connecting people and helping them succeed. I believe that success is not just about individual accomplishments but also about the relationships we build and the impact we have on others.
What sets me apart from others is my willingness to learn and listen and my ability to adapt to different situations. I never allow barriers to hold me back, and am always looking for ways to improve and grow.
Through my journey, I’ve learned that every experience, whether it’s a success or a failure, is an opportunity to learn and grow. I believe that by staying curious and open-minded, we can continue to innovate and make a difference in the world.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
– I use the app Obsidian to take daily notes and create a “mind-map” of various different things I’m doing in my life
– I love the blog How this was made to spark my entrepreneurial spirit and learn about great companies that started from humble beginnings
– Books: Relentless
Pricing:
- Daily Rentals: Vary $300-$2100/Day
- Vehicle Photoshoots: Vary $50-$500/Hour
- Merch: 50$/Shirt
Contact Info:
- Website: romaexoticrentals.com (car rentals), romaexotics.com (merch)
- Instagram: @romaexotics, @hamdihmimy, @abdulr14
