The Kentucky Derby is an iconic event that has been around for over 100 years, and it has played a big part and is one of the biggest celebrations not only in Kentucky but in the country. People from all over the country come down to see the derby, but have you ever thought about how people from all over the States come down to watch? The Kentucky Derby experience comes with many different things, from the bartending, betting on horses, special events, and even Thunder Over Louisville kicking it off. But have you ever thought that personal drivers for The Derby can increase the experience? One person who took the opportunity to participate in the Derby festivities and shared her hometown experience with people from other places, whether this is an annual tradition or their first time seeing Derby, is Amaris Kelsey.
Kelsey spent Derby chauffeuring event goers to and from the races, various galas, parties, restaurants, and anywhere else they wanted to go. Kelsey shares her experience from participating in personal driving for the first time. “For Derby this year, it was my first year participating in Derby. I actually drove for Extreme Transportation, and I drove clients around.” Kelsey continues to talk about how transportation was important for Derby. “Oh yeah, I think it’s an important part of Derby because I think it gives people the experience that they’re looking for, whether they are in town, or coming from out of town, transportation is just one of those things you don’t have to worry about.” She says. Since the Derby is an event that people from all over the world attend, the transportation Kelsey provides ensures that people get to their destination safely without having to worry about having a designated driver or getting lost in an unknown place. Kelsey shares how transportation plays a significant role for people in The Derby. “I think it plays a significant role because it shows the number of people who come out for this big event in Louisville that happens every year. People come from all over. I actually had clients come in from Texas.” Kelsey continues by stating how transporting people from all over can bring people together when celebrating the special event.
When doing transportation for Derby, have you ever thought about how people who do personal driving, like Kelsey, show their customer service, such as touring, providing goods, etc? Kelsey shares the scoop on how she and people in her profession show customer service. “There’s some people that like, book for a personal driver for the entire weekend, so you can just book somebody for a day or you can book to have this person, you know your whole week here, all three days you’re here, so they can book however, whatever they want their experience to be like”. She continues, “If you do well with that client they can always book you for like, other things that they have,” Kelsey says. Tailoring the experience to each client and their needs ensures a memorable Derby experience for people all around.
Outside of the satisfaction of providing good customer service, the added financial benefit is not to be understated. Kelsey talks about what the financial pay is like when working as a personal driver for people at The Derby event. She states, “Well, based on the transportation company, so based on what car you drive, it depended on how you got paid.” She proceeds to explain. “So, for instance, I drove an SUV or a van, so I actually got paid $30 an hour, plus tips whenever people tip me. We have like bigger buses and bigger commercial buses, so the bigger the bus or the bigger the car you drive, the more you get paid an hour.” Kelsey explains. She also talks about how transporting people from all over the globe can be an essential service that is needed and important for people who go to the event. Kelsey agrees with how it is definitely essential for people, she says, “Oh yeah, I definitely think it is, I mean people have to get there somehow, you know, people aren’t going to walk, so I think it’s an essential service for Derby.” She continues, “I think it definitely adds to the Derby experience.”
Kelsey sums up by talking about how important this job is because it’s able to give people a chance and opportunity to go where they want to go with no problem, and how it helps the community. She also talks about how she really enjoys doing the job, especially for her first time doing it. She says, “So that was actually my first experience being down there, during everything, like I said, I enjoyed it and I would see myself doing it again, so yeah, I thought it was really good.” Kelsey states. If you missed an opportunity to participate in offering any services this Derby, the good news is that the Kentucky Derby happens every year. This is just one of many ways to make not only extra money, but also to show visitors our Derby spirit and our beautiful city.
