Staying optimistic

While Anthony Limousine had to lay off employees at times and downsize slightly with some of its sedans, Onorata said he tried to stay optimistic.

“We were anticipating the glass half full and not half empty of things starting to come back in another month or two,” he said. “We kept saying ‘in another month or two,’ and then ‘in another month or two.’ ”

While in limbo, Onorata said he read as much as he could to stay up to date and networked with other business owners. He got involved with the NLA and constantly called limousine owners in other states, talking things through and realizing other limousine companies were going through the same thing.

Born and raised in Wilson, Onorata said he’s always been involved in hospitality. His background was in retail and sales, and then he got into the limousine business around 2003, working for another area company for years before opening Anthony Limousine on March 28, 2014.

The Forks Township resident said it all boils down to: “If you’re good to people, they’ll be good to you and they’ll be loyal to you.”

So now, just as he knew something was wrong in January 2020 when his international business slowed, Onorata knows some things are starting to go right. He firmly believes people want to interact with other people, whether that’s a now rescheduled wedding, birthday party or event, or that’s business executives wanting to look each other in the eye before brokering a deal.

He and his business depend on it.

Morning Call reporter Jon Harris can be reached at 484280-2866 or at jon.harris@ mcall.com.