Today we’d like to introduce you to Will and Michelle Phillips.
Hi Will and Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The idea for Sidecar Venture started one night when we thought, “what would be a unique way locals and visitors of San Diego can experience the city?” As husband and wife, we enjoy scoping out the hottest restaurants and exploring the outdoors with a side of adventure.
Will, being an avid lover of all things motorcycles, thought the most unique way to experience San Diego would have to be in a bespoke motorcycle and sidecar. Michelle, being the foodie she is, thought the most unique way to experience San Diego would have to be at a picnic in an iconic area with a curated charcuterie box. Our puppy Bodi, and his love of new smells, thinks the most unique way to experience San Diego is with his nose in the wind alongside his hoomans. So, we thought, what if we just combined them all?!
What initially started as a daydream, evolved into the business it is today. We’re excited to send people off on epic adventures so they can explore this wonderful city and make memories that last a lifetime with those they love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting out our small business in the Spring of 2021 posed some challenges, as in any new business just starting out. We had a hard time getting our name out as we wanted to avoid spending money in marketing. It took us some time to gain some traction but partnering with other influencers, small businesses, being guests on a motorcycle podcast and being vendors at the Barks and Brews Fest gave us some good exposure. As for the time being, our Instagram is our main mode of marketing and it has been successful in gaining a little more popularity as the months go on.
We’ve been impressed with Sidecar Venture, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sidecar Venture gives locals and visitors of San Diego the chance to explore our city in a unique way. We are the only sidecar business in California that offers you to rent it and drive on your own. The best thing about renting from us is that you don’t need your motorcycle’s license due to our sidecars being considered three-wheeled vehicles. Our sidecars accommodate 3 riders (2 on the motorcycle or scooter and 1 inside the sidecar). With a sidecar rental, you can choose from a 2, 5, or 24 hour ride. We offer picnic packages that comes with a picnic blanket, picnic basket and a charcuterie box that feeds 2-4 people and can be customized to any dietary needs. We also offer barkcuterie boxes which are small treat boxes for dogs.
Our customers are locals or visitors wanting to celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries or even weddings. With a sidecar rental, brides and grooms can use the sidecar to drive off after their ceremony or make a grand entrance with it or use it as a backdrop at their venue. We are unique because our sidecars can accommodate your furry friends, too! We provide dog harnesses and seatbelts so that your dog is safely strapped in. We allow children 5 years and up to sit inside the sidecar. Knowledge of motorcycle operation is needed to drive the motorcycle and sidecar and we best like to describe driving it as similar to a 4-wheeler or ATV. If you don’t know how to shift a motorcycle, we have our Vespa and sidecar available that is automatic and doesn’t involve any special shifting. With a basic safety walk-through from us, you can hop on with your helmet and ride with ease.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
As a husband and wife duo and owners of our business, we value communication, drive, connection, passion, flexibility and optimism when it comes to the success of Sidecar Venture. Some may say working with your life partner can pose its challenges but turning this business into a fun project for us has been an amazing experience and we’ve been able to work together on something we’ve never done before and learned together along the way.
Pricing:
- 2 hour rental: $99
- 5 hour rental: $159
- 24 hour rental: $259
- A la carte Charcuterie Box: $45
- A la carte Barkcuterie Box: $15
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sidecar-venture.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidecarventure/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidecarventure
Image Credits:
Monica Williams Hall
Ryan Widjaja
