Ruth Matos and Brian Salmon had zero customers on the first day of business. Armed with a bus and bilingual skills, the St. Joseph couple hoped their new transportation business, Vamanos, would gain momentum. A few months later, they’ve gained a new building, employees, customers and a lot of trust.

“Our competition was the people that work (at Triumph Foods) who give them rides,” Ms. Matos said of her customers.

Indeed, the married couple targeted the South Side plant for customers at first. It was only natural since the couple felt the growing Hispanic population needed the service.

“Our obligation is getting them to and from work,” Mr. Salmon said.

In the beginning Vamanos, located at 5503 Lake Ave., was as simple as getting a ride to work and home. As a steady customer base has grown, both Ms. Matos, Mr. Salmon and a team of drivers give rides to the grocery store, doctor’s appointments and even the local casino.

While Vamanos — Spanish for “let’s go” — is a Hispanic-friendly business, owners said they have their fair share of non-Hispanic customers too. “We’re growing,” Ms. Matos said.

Vamanos now includes minivans, six employees and a store full of calling cards, some clothing and Christian books.

Before opening Vamanos, Ms. Matos, a Cuban native raised in Miami, had a small stand just off U.S. Highway 59 where she sold Christian literature in Spanish. It was only a weekend business and now she has an outlet to continue that work as well.

“This is our own,” Mr. Salmon said of owning his own business.

The St. Joseph man said that it’s a great opportunity and he gets to learn another language in the process. Vamanos is always looking for good bilingual employees.

“It inspires us,” Ms. Matos said. “We’re helping people that are in need. We make sure we provide that service.”

Vamanos is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturdays and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays. Prices vary for services. For more information call 238-7400.

Business reporter Jennifer Hall can be reached at

jennhall@npgco.com.