Santo and Lynda Sylvestro have grown Hoyt Livery to a fleet of 60 cars and 43 drivers..

Photo Credit: Jim Gerweck

Lynda Sylvestro of Hoyt Livery

Photo Credit: Jim Gerweck

When Lynda and Santo Sylvestro bought a small limousine service from a New Canaan funeral home 24 years ago, they had no idea it would grow as much as it has. “We had two cars and three customers,” says Santo. “Basically we were just buying the livery license.”

In a quarter century, Hoyt Livery has grown to a fleet of 60 cars with 43 drivers, but it still retains a small-firm feel and service. “Our customers are like friends,” Santo continues. “Every customer is just as important as the next,” adds Lynda. “Whether they use us every day or once a year, we’re not going to shortchange them. We want them to have a comfort level when they call us.”

Hoyt is fairly unique among livery services in hiring its own drivers. “We don’t use owner-operators,” says Lynda. “We train our people and hold them to a higher standard.” Hoyt also has its own onsite maintenance and cleaning facilities. “You’ll never get a Hoyt car with a broken head- or taillight, or a missing hubcap,” says Santo. “If you do, the ride’s free.” All Hoyt’s vehicles are also equipped with GPS units. “We know where they are and how fast they’re going,” he says. Every car also carries a Hoyt license plate. “That makes it easier for customers to find them, and it also keeps our drivers on their toes — they know they’re representing us.”

Over the past two dozen years, Hoyt has enjoyed what Lynda terms “slow, steady growth. That’s what we wanted. We don’t want to sacrifice quality and service for size.” “There are a lot of times I’m here 15 hours a day,” adds Santo. He concludes, “Being the largest doesn’t mean you’re the best.”