He started a shuttle service for Elk Grove families. Then the coronavirus pandemic struck
His story ends like so many small business owners, filled with uncertainty and dread. But not long ago, things were looking up for Kevin Lillard. Now he loads and unloads boxes as a volunteer at the Elk Grove Food Bank, keeping busy until things return to normal.
Lillard dreamed of starting his own business. The idea grew from a personal need; he and his wife needed after-school transportation for their two kids whenever they were stuck at work. Other parents in the sprawling suburban community needed it, too.
So after about 18 months of planning — licenses, inspections and leasing the van — he launched Prodigy Shuttle Service in February, during the strongest economy in a decade.
Then the new coronavirus was declared a pandemic and the world stopped moving like it once did. Schools shut down. Airport travel disappeared. And Lillard’s business, barely up and running, was indefinitely put on hold.
On most days, like a Tuesday morning in March, you can find him working at the food bank.
Lillard thought the large van would carry kids to tennis camps and travelers to the airport. He’s now delivering boxes of food to the homebound and elderly. At the moment, he’s hopeful a federal loan created for small businesses will come through. It could hold him over and buy time so he can restart the company in the summer.
“The clients are still there,” Lillard said. “They just don’t have anywhere to go.”
Soon, Lillard will give the van back to the Mercedes-Benz dealership and the dealership is nice enough to take it — at least until he’s in better shape financially. His hopes for a loan are dimmed after the first round of funds is consumed, mostly, by large corporations.
“I have to have something in order to wait this out,” Lillard said.
He’s optimistic again when the government announces another round of funding. Then, maybe, his story might take a turn for the better.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.