Ricky Head, owner of Head Limo, says he plans to direct his business away from the party crowd and toward corporate executives. "They get into the car sober and they get out sober," he says. Photo by John Gurzinski.

At 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds, Ricky Head stands out as the owner of a small limousine service in Las Vegas. He needs a stretch limo more than his customers do.

Head played professional basketball in Europe and South America in the late 1970s and later became a chauffeur and bodyguard for musician Morris Day in Los Angeles.

He came to Las Vegas and drove limousines for a couple companies before starting Head Limo in 2004 with a 1995 Fleetwood Cadillac 86-inch stretch limo that he bought used for $35,000.

It took 18 months to be approved by the Transportation Services Authority of Nevada for two vehicles. Back then, he said, he was the only black owner of a motor transportation service in the state.

"My having a license is a really big deal," Head said in his office suite at 6275 Harrison Drive.

"I have a small one, but they're very difficult to get," he said.

The dominant players in the transportation industry -- primarily Bell, Charlie Limousine Service and LVC -- went to the Legislature in 2003 to limit the number of licenses to operate limousine services because too many companies were coming into town, Head said.

Head Limo operates a 140-inch stretch Ford Excursion limo that carries up to 13 passengers for $95 an hour and a six-passenger Chevrolet Suburban that rents for $55 an hour.

Head has the $80,000 Excursion up for sale because he wants to buy a Lincoln Town Car instead and direct his business more toward corporate executives.

Question: Why are you going from the Excursion to the Town Car?

Answer: I want out of the party crowd, the larger crowd. I want the corporate crowd. It's easier.

They get into the car sober and they get out sober. When I get a party group in the Excursion, I have to put the child locks on to keep them from falling out of the car.

Question: With all the companies you mentioned in limousine services, plus taxicabs, shuttles and buses, how do you compete in this business of transporting tourists?

Answer: I enjoy what I do and it comes across to the public. They get out of my car laughing. They shake my hand and have their picture taken with me.

Question: How difficult is it for a minority business owner to get financing?

Answer: I don't know. The reason why I don't is because I don't need financing.

I take it one step at a time. As my revenue increases, I'll increase my opportunity for more vehicles, which costs money.

Question: What is your annual revenue and how much is it growing?

Answer: Good question. I won't answer that. Corporate business bosses ... that's steady 365 days a year, not like conventions that slow in the summer, so by going in that direction, we can grow.

Question: Was that part of your business plan?

Answer: Ground transportation is always changing. It's very flexible.

The current trend right now is corporate executives, entertainers, VIPs. They only want to ride in small inconspicuous vehicles.

Black is important. They want to be on the down-low, as they say.

With a limo, everybody's staring and waiting to see who gets out of the car. Executives don't want that attention. Entertainers used to love it. Now they don't want it.

Question: What kind of a basketball player were you?

Answer: I was a forward, a scorer. Jump shots and free throws. I was an 80 percent free-throw shooter.

Question: Did you think about pursuing a career in basketball after your playing days?

Answer: The reason I didn't do that is because I didn't graduate from college. That's a desire. I had the passion to go back, but never did.

I thought about going back to get a degree and go into coaching, but I got to making good money. Once I got into security and transportation, that's where I knew I wanted to be.

Question: How would you describe yourself as a businessman?

Answer: Honest. The customer comes first. I picked up a group at Caesars Palace for NASCAR and got them back in 35 minutes when the race was over because I drove out and positioned myself so I'd be the first one out.

Question: Why did it take 18 months to get a license from the Transportation Safety Administration?

Answer: I guess you'd say scrutiny. So many companies in town weren't surviving. A lot of people think it's a slam dunk, but if you don't have knowledge of the business, clientele, passion for the business (it won't be).

We have seasons here. When it's good, it's really good. When it's slow, you lose money.

Question: How did you start the business with no financing?

Answer: I did all the legal stuff myself.

That cut out a lot of the cost right there. It can be a very expensive license to obtain. I had one car and I owned it myself.

Question: Is the TSA doing a good job of regulating the business?

Answer: I feel there's a need for them out there protecting our interests.

You have a lot of bandits from California and Arizona who come out here for any special events weekend -- a big boxing match, the NBA All-Star Game, big conventions.

They're taking money out of our pockets.

Question: You have a role on the VHI reality show, "The Flavor of Love." What's that about?

Answer: I am the confidante of the main actor Flavor Flav from Public Enemy.

We're going into our third season.