When I think of the creator of Trill on Wheels, two words come to mind innovation & ingenuity. Birthed out of a need that many of us possess to simply create extra revenue to better provide for ourselves & family came this wonderfully fascinating idea to create an urban pedal bike tourist attraction that is catching on & spreading like wildfire. I learned more about the mastermind behind Johnathan & his wife wanting to create something unique that showed pride in Houston’s steep music culture, and how although it launched just this year, a few short months ago in fact it is already staying booked and busy, quickly becoming a go-to for out-of-towners to see more of the rich city’s history & hottest hang out spots.
Were you born & raised in Houston, Tx? Is that where the passion for representing the culture comes from?
My wife is a proud New Orleans native, but I was born & raised here in H-Town. We both continue to be inspired by the art, car, & music scene that our city proudly presents. Growing up here in Houston, it’s hard not to be impressed by how our culture has truly impacted the world & set the standard. We wanted to create an experience that not only highlights our amazing culture in a fun way but also celebrates the artist that has given us all so much. This is pure passion for our team.
How did the idea initially emerge & how did it evolve into what it has become today?
After discovering that my wife and I were expecting our first child, the need for additional income and legacy planning became more urgent than ever! We went on the path to create an experience that combined my passion for Houston Hip-Hop, intimate celebrations, & being “outside.” Trill on Wheels sat perfectly at the intersection of those core passions and after a year of planning and prepping, we launched to a reception that we never imagined! We have sold out every single week since we launched with no signs of slowing down soon. Tours are booked months out at this point; God is definitely showing out!
You are a new company that is already taking off what are your ideas for expansion?
Having such an overwhelming amount of positive energy & support behind our vision has been amazing! We knew we had something special, so during our ideation stage, we mapped out a 5- year plan which included scaling our concept to have a broader impact. We are currently laser-focused on perfecting our experience in Third Ward (Houston) while also adding more bikes to our operations. However, we do have our eyes set on a few strategic markets across the country where other Black entrepreneurs are thriving. These markets have celebrated local hip-hop scenes and areas that are perfect for our tours.
Do people typically create party buses & is this what helped make you decide to go for a more unconventional mode of transportation?
Here in Houston and across many major cities around the country, we’ve seen a lack of unique options for celebrating life’s biggest moments. The options that are available tend to leave black & brown consumers out of the conversation and we are pushed to the default option of spending our night surrounded by strangers at the club. With social anxiety affecting over 15 million Americans (Many of those being African Americans) and COVID making enclosed areas less appealing, the need for more personalized and intimate celebratory experiences was needed more than ever. Trill on Wheels solves these major pain points, while also offering a memorable experience worth telling a friend about.
From my understanding this is becoming a major tourist attraction can you tell us a little more about this?
Houston in itself has become a hotbed for Black & brown tourists from across the country! Our unmatched vibes, beautiful people, diverse nightlife options, & affordability attract visitors from all walks of life. On our Tik Tok and Instagram pages, we love to highlight our dope tour experience as well as our city’s rich culture. With many of our posts going viral, it’s helped bring in guests from all over who we can formally introduce to this Trill energy of ours.
How well received have the “Trap Karaoke” & “Trill Trivia” been? Can you expound further on this as they both sound like a lot of fun?
Absolutely! Our guests have loved our Trap Karaoke & Trill Trivia sessions on our tours. We wanted to make our tours as engaging as possible, nothing about what we do is passive, so to fully immerse our guest in our experience our Trap Karaoke & Trill Trivia offer an opportunity for everyone to join in on the fun (and test out those vocals).
Do you feel this has a positive impact on the surrounding Houston Communities?
Trill on wheels has not only disrupted the emotional planning process typically associated with birthday gatherings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and team outings, but our 2-hr Hip-Hop pedal tours have placed a spotlight on Houston’s unique culture, driven additional revenue to our tour partners, & promotes light fitness in a fun way to our core audience. All While bringing more and more guests and locals to our neighborhood of Third Ward. It is a complete blessing, through and through.
You mentioned Paul Wall, & Slim Thug as inspirations and influences for the pedal bike who is your favorite artist & why is the inclusion of Hip-Hop representation so important?
Growing up on the Southside of Houston, DJ Screw & the Screwed Up Click had a major influence on the sound of the city and has given us all a sense of hometown pride. I’m most definitely a “Screwhead” so creating this type of experience that pays direct homage to my hip-hop heroes means the world to me!
What exactly are the wheels you refer to as “Swangas”? What is the meaning behind Slow, Loud, & Banging (Slab) for short?
“Swangas” is the nickname for the aftermarket style of rims originally found on ’83 & ’84 Cadillacs. You cannot “ride Slab” without a set of Swangas! And slabs are typically older model American cars like Oldsmobile’s, Cadillacs, & Lincolns that feature glossy candy paint jobs, bumping subwoofers, neon lights in the trunk, Vogue Tyre’s (Tires), & of course Swangas. Some say “Slab” means riding low, close to the concrete, but most know the acronym.
How can people book a ride on this fast-growing pedal bike?
Book online with us at TrillOnWheels.com! Also, check us out @TrillonWheels on Instagram & Tik Tok to keep up with our journey.
If you had as much fun learning all about Trill on Wheels as I, did you will certainly want to follow them on their social media for more updates. I was born in a small Air Force Base City called San Angelo; Texas & I have always felt as if I had a certain amount of healthy Texas blood coursing through my veins. I as many grew up with a natural affinity towards Houston, Texas artists such as Destiny’s Child, & Slim Thug myself along with the chopped & screwed sounds that were often brought along with it on such songs as “Still Tippin.” As a Florida native now, many say I have a Texan accent & I love it. This article only further helped to solidify my love for the city of Houston. Hearing more about Johnathan’s heart for his city & vision for Trill on Wheels, along with his faith & how God truly has blessed his business & accelerated his destiny is so exciting & only goes to prove that much more what God can do when we place our visions in his hands & couple it with passion, hard work & determination.
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