Kristina Bouweiri
Reston Limousine
Reston Limousine started in the luxury transportation business in 1990 with five limousines and an office at Reston Town Center by William Bouweiri, President. Kristina Bouweiri, Vice President and CEO, joined the company in 1991. The company has grown to be the largest luxury transportation service in the state of Virginia and the 28th largest in North America.
Reston Limousine comprises a fleet of 90 vehicles – sedans, limousines, vans and buses – plus a staff of 175 drivers and 25 administrators. Reston Limousine provides specialized transportation service for wine tours, sightseeing, shuttles and all distinctive occasions for individuals, corporations and government.
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Expat Women's Interview with Kristina |
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Expat Women: Kristina, can you please give our Expat Women some background information about where you were born, why your parents were there and where you lived as an Expat Kid?
Kristina: I was born in Kobe, Japan. My parents were there teaching English through the sister city program in Seattle, Washington. It was a two-for-one deal. They both worked but only got one salary. That experience led to my father joining the Foreign Service after four years in Japan. We lived in the following cities and countries: Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paolo and then Belem do Para in Brazil; Lisbon, Portugal; Maputo, Mozambique; Mbabane, Swaziland; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Gabarone, Botswana.
Expat Women:Being an Expat Kid is very topical amongst expats right now, as families wonder just how an expatriate life affects their children. Can you share with us your feelings about the pros and cons of being an Expat Kid?
Kristina: The pros have to be the traveling and getting to know different cultures and languages. I would not change my childhood for anything. Every two years we went on a new adventure, to a new country, made new friends and learned a lot. The cons were not having any "roots," not being able to make long term relationships, and physically packing up and moving. It was hardest on my mother who became very tired of it.
Expat Women: Kristina, you have gone on to lead a very successful business life. Do you think Expat Kids are more likely to become successful in life?
Kristina: I think Expat kids have an advantage because we are thrown into difficult situations at a young age. We grow up learning to deal with people from different cultures and make the best of every situation. Not all expat kids come through this experience well, though. Many turn to drugs and alcohol and can never kick the habit. This is a difficult question to answer.
Expat Women: As a seasoned Expat Kid, what would be your Top 5 tips for helping Expat Kids whilst they are living overseas?
Kristina: My advice would be to immerse yourself in the country. Make friends with the local kids too. Don't just stay on the American compound if there is one. Visit every corner of the country and learn everything you can. You cannot put a price on this opportunity and you may not be able to ever visit that country again. Start a stamp collection and learn world geography.
1. Learn the language
2. Make local friends
3. Explore every corner of the country
4. Immerse yourself in their culture
5. Keep a journal
Expat Women:Kristina, switching now to your entrepreneurial success. Can you please tell our Expat Women how your business started, where it came from and where it is today (in terms of size, services etc)?
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Kristina: My business was started by my husband in 1988. I was selling advertising and I met him in 1991. We started dating and very soon he told me to quit my job and come and work for him. He is from Lebanon and I kind of knew I would end up with a non-American husband. We worked side by side for ten years, then he stepped away to get our custom home built in Leesburg. After a few months I told him he did not have to come back to the office every day because we didn't both need to be there. I was happy that he could take a break. He now stays at home with our four kids and I run the business. I am a workaholic and love the day-to-day challenges and he was tired of them. Today we have 250 employees, 130 vehicles and we are the 28th largest limousine service in the country. When I met him, he had five cars. |
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Expat Women: What have been your biggest challenges as an Entrepreneur?
Kristina: My biggest challenges as an Entrepreneur have been finding the right people to work for me, hiring enough drivers, getting the vehicles I need financed and predicting the future. It has also been a challenge to put in the infrastructure our business has needed as it has grown to new levels. My degree is in International Affairs, not business, and I have had to learn many things the "hard" way. I find banking relationships very challenging. Lawsuits can be very disheartening. The highs are high and the lows are low!
Expat Women: What to you have been your sweetest successes as an Entrepreneur?
Kristina: My sweetest successes as an Entrepreneur have been winning government contracts when I was the only woman and the youngest person bidding on them. I write my own proposals and most of my competition is "the old boy network". Another one would be fighting the zoning board in Loudoun County and winning our case to build a facility near Dulles Airport. The best one of all is being able to balance work and family and raising four kids!
Expat Women: Kristina, what would be your Top 5 Tips for Women Entrepreneurs?
Kristina:
1. Stay positive
2. Surround yourself with smart people.
3. Get help when you need it. (Consultants)
4. Track where you get your business from and focus on the areas that bring you business.
5. Hire people to do the things that you are not good at.
Expat Women: Thank you very much Kristina and we wish you all the very best for your continued success! |
