Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Ward.
Hi Kelly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Our business has been a family-owned operation serving the community since 1961. It was originally founded by my great-uncle near Lanham Hills Fire department in Lanham Md. The business was later taken over by my grandfather, who relocated operations behind the 7-11 on Finn’s Ln in Lanham.
My father began working for my grandfather during that time. My mother worked for Bayside Chevy in Calvert County Md, and my father regularly delivered vehicle tags there. Through those visits they met, began dating, and eventually married. Together they continued the family tradition and assumed responsibility for the business, building on the foundation established by the previous generation.
During the years my grandfather and parents operated the company, the business grew significantly and provided tag and title services to more than 300 automobile dealerships throughout the region.
My parents, Michael and Dorothy Coleman, operated the business beside the 7-11 on Finns Ln until 1997, when they moved the company to its current location at 9470 Annapolis Rd #105 Lanham Md, where we have remained ever since.
Sadly. my mother passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and my father passed away 2 years later. Today, I am honored to carry on the family legacy as the current owner, continuing a family business that has served the community for more than six decades.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many long-standing family businesses, our company has experienced significant challenges as the industry has evolved over the decades. Since our founding in 1961, the tag and title industry has shifted dramatically. The growth of internet services made it easier for individuals with little or no experience in the field to open tag and title agencies, increasing competition in the marketplace. In addition, many automobile dealerships began processing registrations and issuing tags directly to their own customers reducing the need for outside services that businesses like ours traditionally provided. At the same time, the industry has become highly saturated, with tag and title services appearing on every corner. Despite these challenges, our business has continued to adapt by relying on over six decades of experience, strong relationships within the automotive community, and a reputation built on trust and knowledge. During the years my parents and grandfather operated the business, we proudly served more than 300 car dealerships. That history, combined with our deep understanding of the process, has allowed us to continue serving customers even as the industry has changed.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our business specializes in providing personalized, one on one assistance to customers who are experiencing issues with motor vehicle matters that can often be confusing or difficult to resolve on their own. We work directly with each customer to help them navigate and resolve problems related to MVA transactions, including insurance flags, emissions flags, E-Z pass violations, jurisdictional issues, registration concerns, and other vehicle- related matters. Our goal is to provide accurate guidance, clear solutions, and efficient service so that our customers can get back on the road as quickly as possible. We also provide out of state services. Specifically, VA and DC. We register trailers in Maine. What sets us apart is our decades of experience and our commitment to personal service. Rather than treating customers as numbers, we take the time to understand their individual situation and find the best solution for their specific problem. Many of our clients come to us after facing frustrating or complicated issues, and we take pride in helping relieve that stress- often joking that we are like the “headache medicine” for MVA problems. Our reputation has been built on trust, knowledge of the system, and a long history of serving the community and the automotive industry.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
For us, building connections and learning has largely been a process of trial and error. As a long-standing family business, much of our growth historically came through word of mouth and relationships built within the community and the automotive industry over many years.
As the business landscape has changed, we have also begun expanding our networking and outreach efforts through modern platforms. Recently, we launched Facebook and Instagram pages to better connect with customers and the community, and we have developed a website that is being professionally managed by its creator, Isaac. These tools are helping us share information about our services and reach new customers while continuing to build relationships the traditional way- through trust, experience and personal service.
Our advice to others would be to stay open to learning, adapt to new technologies, and build genuine relationships within your industry and community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://originalmdtag.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoriginalmdtag/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OriginalMDtag
