Meet Armir Harris

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Armir Harris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Armir , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My background in the transportation industry started during my teenage years when I worked at a relative’s limousine and cab business in Charlotte. After immigrating to the U.S. as a political refugee, I helped manage various aspects of the business, including taxes, online marketing, detailing and dispatching. While pursuing my own ventures in college, I returned to assist with the family business when a relative fell ill. It was during the Democratic National Convention in 2012 that I recognized a gap in the market, and saw an opportunity to create a marketplace for charter bus providers. This experience inspired me to start CharterUP in 2018, an innovative platform that has transformed the charter bus industry with its fully integrated marketplace.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
What excites me most about our work at CharterUP is our commitment to transparency and efficiency in an industry that desperately needs it. We’ve created a platform that connects customers with charter bus providers in a seamless and user-friendly manner. It’s like Expedia for charter buses, offering real-time availability, ratings, safety records and even vehicle tracking. Combined with its growing virtual fleet of over 4,000 fully integrated charter vehicles, CharterUP delivers unmatched accessibility, accountability and transparency never seen before in the charter bus space. As a result, CharterUP has grown to become the leading transportation provider for Fortune 500 companies across the country.

One of the most unique aspects of our brand is our dedication to not just helping large corporations or consumers with their transportation needs, but really doing everything we can to help our fleet of independent bus operators thrive. We’re leveling the playing field for these smaller operators, providing them with the technology, data, visibility and financing needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive market. CharterUP is all about uplifting the entire charter services industry, from customers to operators through data, technology and transparency.

In terms of what’s new, CharterUP has seen remarkable growth. In August 2023, CharterUP secured the No. 2 spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private U.S. companies. This prestigious acknowledgment was attributed to our staggering 111,130% revenue growth from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, our Corporate Shuttle Program experienced a substantial +283% YoY growth in demand, transforming corporate travel experiences with our proprietary technology and extensive nationwide bus operator network. Furthermore, CharterUP recently launched hundreds of luxury sprinter vans on our platform in key markets, including Austin, Dallas, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Antonio, with additional markets soon to follow.

My professional journey is not merely about navigating through the charter bus industry; it’s about steering it towards positive change and progress, ensuring every move we make at CharterUP propels individuals and communities towards a future where transportation is not just a journey, but a hallmark of efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities stand out as particularly impactful:

1) Resilience: The ability to persevere through adversity and setbacks has been crucial in my journey. As an immigrant and a refugee, I faced numerous challenges and uncertainties. It was my resilience that helped me navigate these difficult times and keep moving forward. My advice to those early in their journey is to cultivate resilience by developing a growth mindset. Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, and don’t be discouraged by failures. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of any journey, and they can often lead to the most significant breakthroughs.

2)Execution Over Strategy: At CharterUP, while we value strategic planning, we prioritize execution above all. Our rapid growth and industry disruption have been powered by our ability to implement, act, and deliver with excellence. My advice to emerging entrepreneurs: strategy lays the foundation, but it’s the execution that builds the empire.

3) Adaptability and Continuous Learning: The world is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt to change and continuously learn is vital. In my journey, I’ve had to adapt to shifts in the market, changes in technology, and unforeseen circumstances like the pandemic. To those early in their journey, I recommend embracing a lifelong learning mindset. Stay curious, seek out new knowledge and skills, and remain flexible in your approach. The ability to adapt and learn will not only help you overcome challenges but also stay ahead in your chosen field.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely. CharterUP is always open to partnering and collaborating with new operators and organizations to expand our platform and enhance our services. We’re continuously seeking partnerships with charter bus operators who share our commitment to safety, reliability and customer satisfaction. If you’re an operator interested in joining our platform and reaching a broader customer base, we’d love to hear from you. You can easily connect with us through our website or by contacting our team directly.

Additionally, we’re eager to collaborate with businesses, event organizers, and government agencies that align with our mission to provide seamless and tailored transportation solutions. If our journey resonates with you and you see a potential for collaboration, please reach out. Together, we can transform group transportation into an experience that is transparent, safe and good for the planet.

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