Do not expect to see a sign that says this, if you happen to be in Los Angeles: “Auto Loan for los Used Rejects.” You may well see this phrase, if you drive around west Los Angeles: “Rent-a-Wreck.” That phrase appears on a sign over on Pico Boulevard. It marks the location where someone can rent an old car or truck for a ridiculously low price.

Los Angeles has become “home” for many entrepreneurs. A number of those entrepreneurs have come to the United States from Europe, Latin America or Asia. They look for a need, and then they create a business that can fill that need.

In 1984, one aspiring entrepreneur sensed a need for more limousines. He felt that during the Olympics, there would be an increased demand for limousines. He considered buying and operating a limousine. He did not purchase a limousine for one simple reason. There was something missing in Los Angeles.

“Auto Loan for Los Used Limos” did not appear on any sign in L.A. That aspiring entrepreneur had no way to finance the purchase of a used limousine. By coincidence, that man later worked at a car rental agency over by LAX. He would drive to the airport and provide visitors to L.A. with transportation to the place where they could pick-up their rented car.