Andrew Schiffer clearly remembers the turning point. Not long after moving to Dundee, Ohio, from his native New Jersey, Schiffer tried to rent a full-size van.

“It was impossible,” he says. “Major companies, churches and campgrounds had them all booked up. I just couldn’t get hold of one.”

With an MBA in finance from Rutgers University and experience in both banking and auto dealership management, Schiffer felt an idea coming on: Why couldn’t he help satisfy a clear demand? Why not start a world-class van-rental business that would provide exceptional customer service; spotlessly clean, state-of-the-art vehicles; and a great value?

He started looking into the requirements for starting such a company. “And after I did that – about seven years ago now – I started NEO Van Rentals.”

Launched with just one vehicle, the family-owned business noticed immediate success. Demand kept mounting, and soon the company had three vehicles, then six, then nine, then 12.

“Each and every step of the way, I wondered if I was getting in over my head,” he recalls. “But we continued to grow, and based on my background and experience, I found this business was a really good fit..” 

Now providing daily consumer rentals, commercial rentals, leases, fleet acquisitions and sales, NEO Van Rentals is primed for geographic expansion. 

With clients across the state but generally focused around Cleveland and Columbus, Schiffer sees huge opportunities in “expanding into other locations, hiring more staff – right now, it’s me and two other family members,” Schiffer says. “Our existing location was the incubator. Now we’re ready to do something more.”

As NEO Vans began scouting a second location, Schiffer read an article about ELITE America’s plan for a headquarters in Cleveland. He was convinced his company could benefit from those who have experience helping small- to mid-size companies like his plan for growth. And he was intrigued by the idea of a resource that could help him look deeply at his existing business strategies, analyze his opportunities and develop a solid plan to reach his goals. Schiffer applied and was accepted into the ELITE cohort, and is now about halfway through the comprehensive, year-long program.

“They have helped tremendously with clarifying our vision, mission and level of ambition,” he says. “In our company, we have a tentative goal of 10 stores by 2025. I’m now really excited because I think it’s feasible.”

ELITE is helping NEO Vans create a roadmap for growth based on identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. 

“They help you see where, with just a little bit of effort, something big can happen and how certain decisions can affect the financials,” Schiffer says. “They help you understand that if you plug in this level of ambition, here’s what could happen. And when we do that, we see there are real opportunities. And that helps us paint a clear picture for an investor.”

Just as important are the connections to resources Schiffer says he has made. 

“Some of the biggest advantages to the ELITE program are the business relationships and networking that come with it,” he says. “Even our association with ELITE has been valuable because they have enormous credibility, and that in turn gives us credibility when talking to lenders, city officials and others.”

The company now is working to secure funds to help with renovations of the second store, and Schiffer has connected with HR firms, which is an expertise he doesn’t have in house.

“ELITE is an incredible resource and provides a company with a network of potential funding sources,” he says. “But it also provides an excellent opportunity both to advance your existing goals and help you envision new goals you may not have even thought of.”