Meet Diane Zimerle | Idea Innovator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diane Zimerle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diane, what matters most to you?
Trust, the single word that describes what I hope my clients will feel when they book one of my trucks. If I can’t make my clients feel that I am reliable, honest, and true to my word then I don’t want to do business. In the world today I feel you have to have something that stands out above all the others and that for me is my ability to keep my clients coming back. I want anyone who books with me, be it a huge event or a small gathering to know that I care about each one the same. I will always be on time, bring my trucks clean and ready to go.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my business out of a search to keep busy since my husband worked many hours and all my kids were grown and on their own. With just 1 truck, a 1964 Chevy I lovingly named “Bella,” I had the idea to allow people to have their pictures made in a fun, unique way. I had no idea photographers would love Bella as much as I do, and my business took off. I have since added a 1930 Model A and dubbed him “Beau.”

Building a business from the ground up that was, at the time, rare in this area has its ups and downs. Scheduling 2 trucks, being in 2 places simultaneously, learning what my customers wanted, and bringing their ideas into the trucks was sometimes tricky. No other businesses at the time were doing what I was doing, so I had no model from which to get ideas. I had to guess at pricing, find places to park the trucks, and then figure out how to get the word out and explain why and how the trucks make such a unique background for photographs.

We also dabble a little in weddings, so learning everything on that end added to the concern of getting it right the first time! A wedding, birthday, proposal, first date- those are times you can’t get a second shot, so my timing has to be on the spot!

Not only did I need to learn the area, but I also had to learn which times were the least busy on the streets and which backgrounds matched the type of truck (Bella is a farm/country truck, whereas Beau is an old-fashioned/cobblestone street type of truck), I had to learn how to add props, and decorate the trucks for the clients to give them just the right amount of flair and fun, but not to overtake the beauty of the trucks.
I have had to learn different ways to help the photographers pose their clients around the trucks and point out the unique things about each truck that a client might like in their photo as that is a different background than usual.

I pride myself on being fair in pricing and timeliness and doing my best to go above and beyond for my clients. Whether they are magazine people from out of state or my neighbor who just wanted a few shots of her grandchild, everyone is just as important to me as the other, and I am known for that as well. My clients know I will be on time and ready for anything when they call me!

I truly enjoy getting out, meeting so many new people, and seeing their ideas come to life. What started as a reason to get out of the house has become a massive part of my life. I have met many people who I now call friends along my journey, and I hope to meet many more.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We absolutely love going downtown to the market, riverfront park, the battery, and of coarse rainbow row. Chalmers Street is absolutely gorgeous with it’s cobblestone streets. If you love to shop, make sure to hit King Street! The beach is a must! I love Isle of Palms that is the spot where my husband and I were married, but a day trip to Botany Bay is my favorite of all time. Middleton Place, Drayton Hall, Cypress Gardens, visit them all!! We live in Summerville and downtown still has a lot of old time charm, little local shops and some of the best food joints around! Hit up the food trucks, you cannot go wrong!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Ronnie. He is my emotional and mechanical support, he is always there to give me encouragement, and wisdom. If I have a bad day due to a grumpy client he is there, if one of my trucks break down he is there!
I am also truly thankful for my family and friends that have jumped in and helped, weather I needed an extra person to sit with my trucks , or jump in and drive to a shoot when I had to go out of town.
Without them I could never have made it 11 years!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellaAndBeauTheVintageTrucks/

Image Credits
Capture Your Happily Ever After Photography took the photo of me in Bella