Tote Taxi, a luxury courier service specifically for people traveling to and from the Hamptons, was founded by Southampton’s Danielle Candela. It offers same-day, door-to-door service for luggage, golf clubs, shopping bags, bikes, and more, and also services all three major New York City airports. This summer the company also partnered with Dora Maar, an e-commerce platform for luxury pre-owned fashion and stylish home pieces, bringing inventory straight to the Hamptons.
We caught up with Candela to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey.
What inspired you to start Tote Taxi?
It really came from the personal need of the service. I was commuting to the Hamptons from Manhattan every weekend. I was always schlepping my suitcases and I just thought, “Why isn’t there a service that could bring my items out to the Hamptons?” There wasn’t one, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to create it.
How has the company evolved over the past few years since you’ve started?
So much has changed over the last four years! In 2019, we launched our service from New York City to JFK and EWR for Blade Fliers. In 2020, we launched our Mini Storage service, Tote Away, and in 2021 we launched our delivery service from NYC/Hamptons to South Florida. We’ve added new drivers and another sprinter van co-branded with the new iced tea brand, Saint James, and hired our fabulous operations manager!
Tell us about your partnership this summer with Dora Maar.
We are always looking to partner with like-minded brands, and this one was a no-brainer — it made so much sense to transport influencers’ high-end items to and from NYC and the Hamptons. We love working with Dora Maar — our customers don’t know the phrase “over-packing,” and neither do we! We are all about fun and fashion, and that’s what Dora Maar brings to our customers.
What’s next for Tote Taxi?
As the Hamptons season comes to an end, we have started to prep for the route to South Florida. We spent the last year really working on building roots and infrastructure, such as adding tracking as a new feature. (This has also allowed us to scale the number of deliveries we can handle on any given day.) We’ve also started to scope out new locations, like Nantucket.
On the East End, what does your perfect day look like?
I love to start my mornings with my favorite egg whites from Schmidt’s in Southampton. Most days I’m popping into the office for a few hours, answering some emails and setting up the drivers for the day. I’ve recently started working with a personal trainer at the Southampton Gym, which has made such a big difference in my mental and physical health during the stressful busy season. After that, either a beach day at Little Plains or lunch at Argento. But I always love ending the day at my boyfriend’s cottage. It’s right on the bay, and there’s nothing better than a BBQ with friends and family. I usually pick up some local produce, like tomatoes, corn, and some clams to grill. Pair that with some Wölffer Rosé and watching the sunset, and that’s a perfect end to the perfect day.
