We recently connected with Lorenda Boyd and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lorenda, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The idea for MCJ Reliable Transport came from a place of deep compassion and real frustration. I was working at a well-known clinic at a university here in St. Louis, MO, serving a wide range of patients: young, elderly, disabled, and mostly underinsured. Around 50% of our patients depended on transportation services to get to their appointments, but what they received was far from acceptable. started doing some research and noticed there was a real gap in the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) industry, especially in my area. The demand was growing, but the quality of service wasn’t keeping up. Most companies were treating it like a taxi service, but I knew it needed to be more personal, more patient-centered.
The communication from transportation providers was poor. Patients were often left waiting hours or missed appointments altogether because their ride never showed up. I saw firsthand how that impacted their health, dignity, and safety. Most of these individuals didn’t have family members to advocate for them, so I became that advocate.
There are two moments that truly planted the seed for my business.
One day, an elderly diabetic patient returned to the clinic hours after her appointment ended around noon even though she was done by 9:30 AM. She looked unwell and said she still hadn’t been picked up. I rushed to the cafeteria to grab her something sweet to bring her sugar levels up. When I called the transportation provider to ask for an ETA, the driver said, “I’ll get there when I get there.” When I asked to speak with his supervisor, he replied, “I AM!” and hung up on me. That was the moment I said, Oh no. I need to start a transportation company. Because I saw the real need in our community.
The second moment was just as unforgettable. I worked in an eye clinic where patients had their eyes dilated, leaving them with blurred vision for hours. One patient needed help getting to the car. The driver refused, saying, “I only open the car door.” The patient missed a step, fell, busted her head open, and had to be hospitalized for stitches. That was the final straw for me.
I sacrificed everything to start MCJ Reliable Transport. It was just me, God, and a lot of prayer. Today, we have two vehicles and are steadily growing, but the demand is overwhelming. I receive so many calls from people who need transportation, and it breaks my heart when I can’t help due to limited resources. My dream is to build a fleet of at least five vehicles and continue expanding because the need is still so great.
What sets us apart is the love and care we give. We don’t just give rides, we treat every single client like family. Our service is built on genuine compassion, respect, and advocacy. I love the diversity of the people we encounter, and it’s an honor to serve them with dignity. This is more than a business to me, this is my purpose and I want to live beyond my purpose.
Lorenda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Lorenda Boyd, and I’m a proud entrepreneur, advocate, and community servant based in St. Louis, Missouri. I’m the founder of MCJ Reliable Transport, a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) company built on compassion, integrity, and purpose.
I’m a friendly, genuine, and loving person who truly cares about people. I lead with my heart in everything I do, and I believe that kindness and empathy are just as important as professionalism. My goal isn’t just to run a business, it’s to make a difference.
MCJ Reliable Transport specializes in Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, providing rides to and from doctor’s appointments, dialysis, therapy, adult day programs, and more. We’re also expanding into school transportation services to help families and school systems bridge the gap for students in need of safe, timely rides. We provide private rides as well.
I’m most proud of the impact we’ve made so far with limited resources. We’ve helped people make it to life-saving appointments, we’ve given peace of mind to families, and we’ve built trust in communities that are often overlooked. I’ve also written an E-book to help others start their own NEMT business, because I believe in sharing knowledge and lifting others up as I climb and it is available for FREE in my Facebook group, “How to Start Your NEMT Business STL,MO.” However any state can access it.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Capital is always a challenge when starting a business. Like many new entrepreneurs, I had to get creative and do a lot of research. I came across a TikTok video of a woman selling a course on how to get business funding, and I purchased it for $25. Later, I realized the exact same information was available for free on the SBA.gov website. It was a learning experience that taught me to always check credible sources first, especially when you’re working with limited funds.
Using the SBA site, I found free business plan templates and built a solid plan. There are so many options available, and I learned quickly that banks love a well-done business plan, it shows them you’ve put serious thought into your business and that you’re more likely to pay them back.
One of the hardest parts was creating the financial projections. I spent hours calling local competitors, collecting pricing info, and estimating costs just to get the numbers right. It was time-consuming and tedious, but I knew if I was going to ask anyone to invest in my dream, I needed to invest the time and effort first.
My advice to anyone starting out: be patient, be thorough, and don’t give up. You don’t need a ton of money to start, you just need a clear plan, the right resources, and a lot of determination.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I really started taking social media seriously after attending a networking event where someone told me, “You need to stop hiding behind flyers—people want to see YOU.” That moment stuck with me. They explained how powerful video content could be, especially for small business owners. People connect with people. They want to see the face behind the brand, hear your voice, feel your energy, and pick up on your vibe.
That advice changed everything for me.
I started showing up on camera, just being myself. No fancy equipment, no perfect lighting, just real, honest content. I spoke about what I do, why I do it, and how much I care about the people I serve. And slowly but surely, people began to engage. They started sharing my videos, sending referrals, and cheering me on. Social media became more than just a marketing tool, it became a way to build real trust and real relationships.
My advice for anyone just starting out? Don’t overthink it. Show up as you are. Be consistent, be genuine, and speak from the heart. People can feel authenticity, and that’s what makes them want to follow and support you. You don’t need to be perfect, you just need to be present.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mcjreliabletransport.com/
- Instagram: mcjreliabletransport
- Facebook: MCJ Reliable Transport
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lorendaboyd
