Djilali, tell us about your professional journey and the moments that pushed you to create HERACLES LIMOUSINES, this luxury transport and concierge company.
Djilali Chekalil: Since my debut in the world of excellence at the age of 25, I have had different professional experiences. From luxury catering, to hotel management in the most 'select' places on the globe, to embassy driver and even bodyguard for one of the most influential families in the world. I have worked in Paris, on the Côte d'Azur, in Courchevel, Megève, London and Geneva. Each of these experiences taught me absolute respect for excellence and the critical importance of attention to detail. It is all these moments of life combined that inspired me to found HERACLES LIMOUSINES, a company which represents much more than a simple transport service. It is a tailor-made experience, a fusion of luxury, comfort and security, shaped by every moment of my career.
I always tell my teams that excellence is a long-distance race, where the alternation between fast and slow paces, reactivity and patience, is essential.
Djilali Chekalil, founding president of HERACLES LIMOUSINES
Could you tell us more about your vision for transportation and concierge services? How do you go about distinguishing yourself in this highly competitive field?
Djilali Chekalil: My vision for HERACLES LIMOUSINES goes well beyond simple service. It is a family home and a trusted partner, supporting our customers in all aspects of their lives. Our difference lies in a simple, yet powerful philosophy: a total commitment to personalization, meticulous attention to detail and unwavering responsiveness. Imagine: a last minute reservation in a restaurant as exclusive as Bernardin in New York, or Pergola in Rome. Or even reserving a specific high-end car in Berlin, just an hour before an executive's flight! We make all this possible. At HERACLES LIMOUSINES, the security and confidentiality of our customers are fundamental values. We have strict protocols in place to ensure their peace of mind. I always tell my teams that excellence is a long-distance race, where the alternation between fast and slow paces, responsiveness and patience, is essential. It is this philosophy that allows us to stand out in such a competitive field.
Your teams embody the very image of your company. They are on the front line to welcome, take care of and satisfy your customers. How do you go about choosing your teams and partners to ensure flawless quality of service?
Djilali Chekalil: Our teams represent the beating heart of our company. At HERACLES LIMOUSINES, we are much more than collaborators, we form a true family where each member shares our vision of excellence. During the recruitment process, we place particular emphasis on human qualities such as surpassing oneself, humility and absolute discretion. In addition, our drivers are selected not only for their driving skills, but also for their courtesy and smile. Additionally, we provide our teams with ongoing training to prepare them for any situations they may face. For example, in the area of driver service, a team of coordinators is constantly on the ground to support our drivers and maintain their level of excellence. As for our partners, we firmly believe in long-term relationships based on trust and mutual satisfaction. This is how we tackle new challenges together and guarantee unique experiences for our customers. At Héraclès Limousines, each member of our team and each partner is an essential link in the chain of our success.
You evolve in a universe where discretion arouses fascination and nourishes the imagination. Do you have some anecdotes or memorable experiences that you have created for your clients to share?
Djilali Chekalil: I have so many anecdotes that come to mind. For example, there is this marriage proposal for which we organized a romantic getaway to a castle followed by a cooking class with a starred chef. Most memorable moment? During dinner, we called on a magician who made the bride-to-be's bracelet disappear and make it reappear in her handbag, accompanied by a splendid ring from Edouard Nahum, a renowned Parisian master jeweler. You should have seen the wonder in his eyes! A shower of rose petals then added to the magic of the moment. And let's not forget the retirement party of a CEO in a Michelin-starred restaurant in a Parisian palace. The starred chef himself signed his guest book, adding a personal touch to this already memorable event. I could tell you many more exciting stories, but it would take us more than ten shows to share them all!
In this case, before concluding this first discussion, could you reveal to us your vision for the development of your company, which plans to integrate technological advances while adopting practices focused on sustainable development?
Djilali Chekalil: Absolutely! We intend to continue to strengthen our three pillars of activity: high-end transport, tailor-made concierge service and impeccable close guard. Our vision is to remain at the forefront of innovation by integrating the latest technological advances. For example, we will continue to improve our drivers' real-time monitoring system to guarantee transparent communication and absolute punctuality. In addition, we are developing immersive experiences in the most prestigious vehicles with virtual reality screens using artificial intelligence. But that's not all. We have also developed an ambitious plan for the future, called "Plan 2030", which emphasizes our environmental and social commitment. We firmly believe that it is our duty to be defenders of the environment, and this plan will allow us to give deep meaning to our services.
I am really looking forward to sharing with you our two flagship projects that we have planned to develop for our family home HERACLES LIMOUSINES.
A case to follow, therefore….