Carole Levy
Shayne Cunningham had hankered to own a classic car for quite a while, so a couple of years before his milestone 50th birthday, he and his wife Lisa began the search in earnest. Then he found “Betty”, a gorgeous bright-red 1966 Mustang, which he adopted and drove back home from Sydney.
Although originally meant as his birthday present, Betty immediately had Shayne and Lisa seeing the potential for the beautiful car to be harnessed as a family business. In 2015, Mustang & Co was launched and, just two years later, was a finalist in Geelong Business Excellence Awards.
A finalist again at this year’s GBEA Virtual Event, Mustang & Co offers an exciting, glam way for people to tour the region’s stunning natural attractions and the many wineries dotting the area.
As well, the ’66 Mustang takes part in weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Occasionally, Betty is accompanied by one or two other locally owned red Mustangs – a collaboration that’s typical of how Shayne and Lisa connect with their community – and the classic cars combine in a spectacular wedding party arrival.
Mustang & Co has had a vibrant presence at various festivals from the beginning. At the 100 Year Gala Day parade in 2016, Lisa and Shayne’s son Xavier (seven at the time) dressed up as Elvis and accompanied 60s-dressed mum and dad in Betty. And for the past three years, Carmen the Pako Festa mascot has been proudly chauffeured in the Barwon Health-sponsored parade.
Shayne and Lisa also offer the “Mustang Mover” for up to seven passengers, and “Mustang Mini” for up to 11. Betty goes on the trips too, with passengers toggling between her and bus – a much-loved experience for hens nights, ladies lunches, winery tours … you name it.
When the Geelong-born couple went to their first awards night, they found it a fabulous networking opportunity, and a joy to meet other business people with a similar desire to achieve excellence.
Lisa says that the application process for GBEA was beneficial to their business, giving the couple a clearer, chronological overview of how their business has operated. Part of this was ‘reviewing the reviews’, where online and email feedback on Mustang & Co was revisited.
They said the re-reading of heartfelt testimonials reinforced for them that their approach to customer experience and community connection is working, a source of genuine satisfaction.
The family is now looking forward to dressing up for the GBEA Virtual Event on October 15 to see if Betty can bring home the gong.
Everyone is welcome to watch and celebrate the region’s business community, register at www.gbea.com.au/virtualevent.
