In a world driven by apps and instant bookings, Exclusive Transportation Services stands out for a different reason: intention. Founded in 2018 by Carol Prelog, the West Valley-based private transportation company was never meant to be just another ride option. It was built, as Carol says, “to set a higher standard for reliability, professionalism, safety, and care.”
Before launching the company, Carol spent more than 25 years as a manager on a military base on the East Coast, working for the federal government. Her move to Arizona began after meeting her husband at a Starbucks, a leap of faith that brought her west. After relocating, she briefly worked for the State of Arizona but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit. While figuring out what was next, she signed up to drive for Uber and Lyft.
What surprised her most, she recalls, was how excited people were when she arrived. At the time, rideshare drivers did not consistently make the 15-25-minute drive into Estrella Mountain Ranch. “When I showed up in a clean black leather Lincoln SUV, the experience felt different,” she explains. Within months, neighbors began asking to book directly with her rather than through an app.
What started as a part-time idea quickly grew beyond expectations. “We were the first in our immediate area to operate as a fully structured, licensed, ADOT-permitted and commercially insured private transportation company focused specifically on serving our community,” Carol says. It wasn’t just about driving; it was about building something compliant, professional, and dependable that company residents could rely on without hesitation.
That commitment to structure continues to define the company. “What sets us apart is our standards and our consistency in upholding them,” she explains. From the beginning, the company operated as fully licensed and commercially insured, with systems for confirmations, driver introductions, reminders, and flight tracking. Unlike on-demand apps, Exclusive Transportation Services is scheduled-based. When someone books, the ride is confirmed, communication is sent in advance, and “we arrive early,” Carol says.
She is clear about what clients can expect. “When someone reserves with us, they are not gambling on availability.” Clients receive confirmation emails, reminder texts, and a personal introduction about their assigned driver. Vehicles are professionally maintained, and safety is a daily priority. The team handles hundreds of reservations each month, yet Carol emphasizes that “every single reservation represents someone trusting us with something important, a flight, a medical appointment, a celebration, or much more.” That responsibility, she adds, “is never taken lightly.” That trust, she believes, is earned one ride at a time.
At the heart of the business are relationships. “Transportation is the service we provide, but connection is what makes it meaningful,” Carol shares. The team drives clients to surgeries, weddings, vacations, concerts, and milestone celebrations. They also assist with early morning airport departures and late-night returns, offering peace of mind during long travel days. “We operate by a simple standard: treat every client the way you would want someone to treat your own family.”
One of the most meaningful parts of the journey has been building the company alongside her son. Carol founded the business in 2018, and in 2020 her son Kyle joined as a driver. By 2023, he stepped into operational leadership, taking on compliance, systems, and client communication. In 2024, Carol took her first vacation in six years, leaving him fully in charge. That milestone, she says, “represented trust, growth, and earned leadership.” In 2026, the company will celebrate eight years in business, a testament to sustainability, structure, and legacy.
Culture matters deeply within the organization. One cherished tradition is the annual Driver Appreciation event, where drivers’ significant others are included in recognition of the support systems behind the work. In 2024, the company expanded the tradition to include a Driver and Client Appreciation event. For Carol, “growth is measured in relationships, not just numbers.”
Her perspective on safety is deeply personal. In 2009, she survived a severe car accident that she should not have lived through. That experience permanently shaped her approach to business. “Proper licensing, insurance, and compliance were non-negotiable when building this company,” she says. “Safety is personal for me.”
Community involvement is woven into the company’s foundation. Carol proudly sponsors RUFF - Rescuing Unfortunate Furry Friends and serves as an Estrella Ambassador. “Pouring back into the neighborhoods that support us isn’t separate from our business,” she says. “It’s woven into who we are.”
Exclusive Transportation Services was never built to compete on price. It was built to raise the bar. As Carol puts it, “From day one, our focus has been reliability, structure, and doing business the right way.” What defines the company is simple: “We show up early, we operate with professionalism and integrity, and above all, we earn our clients’ trust on every single ride.”
Transportation is the service we provide, but connection is what makes it meaningful."
“We show up early, we operate with professionalism and integrity, and above all, we earn our clients’ trust on every single ride.”