WCCO Viewers' Choice For Best Limo In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Being chauffeured in a stretch limousine is the ultimate display of luxury for the rich and famous.

But from proms to weddings, just about everyone has at least one occasion that puts them in the backseat of a limo.

Tim and Tina Fliehr started Star Transportation in 1997, and you voted them the best in Minnesota.

"There's a perception that limousine service is expensive," Tim said. "Some people think they can't afford it. The reality is that it's very affordable. I think everyone needs to treat themselves at least once in their life."

It's an industry full of glitz and glamour, but the Fliehrs' business has humble beginnings.

"For the most part, it's what we know together," Tina said. "It's pretty much all we've done, and we've done it together."

They met at work in their 20s and, while engaged, decided to pursue a dream of owning their own business.

"I took a limousine ride to a casino, and it inspired me"  Tim said. "I thought, 'If this guy can do it, I think I can do it better."

They doubled down, bought a burgundy six-passenger stretch limousine and Star Transportation was born.

Shortly after life took another turn.

"My father had passed away unexpectedly," Tim said. "My mother was hundreds of miles from home and didn't know what she was going to do. I said, 'Why don't you come up here and run the limousine company with me and Tina?'"

So Tina, Tim and mom Kay drove limos together on weekends. And as the business grew, so did their family.

"On our wedding day we rode in a white, eight-passenger stretch Lincoln towncar limo," Tina said.

Even their first baby rode home from the hospital in a stretch limo.

Today, they have 50 employees and more than 30 vehicles in their fleet, from Cadillac Escalades to Mercedes to Limo Coaches.

"There's a smart TV behind us," Tim said. "You can connect your laptop or smartphone and play your music or videos. Fiberoptic and LED accent lighting. And we have stemware for champagne. It's a vehicle you would never imagine has this interior if you're looking at it from the outside."

So whether it's your big day, or just a night out on the town, like the name says: Everyone's a star.

Star Transportation is located in the Twin Cities and Rochester, where they got their start. A couple of your other favorites were Premier Transportation and Eclipse.