Tanya Biggers: when big stars and big hearts align to create an even bigger impact
Big Star Transit was born when Tanya Biggers and her husband, Larry, decided to open a small business to safely transport people with disabilities. But what has really made the company soar is the fact that the Biggers’ business model is underpinned by empathy and dignity – for their passengers, and for the owner-operators who transport them to and from medical appointments.
WPO member Tanya was recently honored at the 2024 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards, which recognize the outstanding achievements of women entrepreneurs of color in North America. As the co-founder and CEO of Big Star Transit, Tanya has helped propel the business to stratospheric heights since it opened its doors in 2013.
Big Star operates in the paratransit sector, which entails non-emergency medical transportation for people (such as those with disabilities) who find it difficult to use conventional public transport services.
Elevating emerging entrepreneurs
While giving vulnerable passengers access to specialized transport, Tanya is equally passionate about championing the entrepreneurial journeys of her contracted drivers, especially women and those from minority communities. Many come from a caregiving background and have children or ailing parents to support, and this is a golden opportunity for them to own and run their own small enterprises.
The idea to form Big Star originated when Larry became increasingly frustrated that the paratransit organization he worked for was not compensating its drivers fairly.
Explains Tanya, “These drivers are the boots on the ground. They’re providing a service, and it’s not easy when you have to push wheelchairs up ramps and strap patients into seats with safety harnesses. Larry was upset that they were not being paid a living wage when they were the ones doing all the work. And he would come home and vent to me about it. And I’m like, ‘Well, if you don’t like something, change it, right?’”
And change it the Biggers did. They set the wheels in motion to build their own paratransit business in Dallas, Texas – armed with Larry’s industry knowledge and Tanya’s corporate managerial experience. They started out small, and basically figured things out as they went along.
A self-taught entrepreneur, Tanya was instrumental in building the business until Larry quit his job and formally joined – and together they took it to the next level. Big Star Transit now operates in eight states and supports countless small businesses; even Uber has signed on in a bid to grow the paratransit side of its business.
Over the years, Tanya has gained important insights into the lives and struggles – and the triumphs – of her loyal network of driver-operators. “We’ve had so many people writing us letters, thanking us for this opportunity and saying they’ve been able to buy their first home or send their kids to college,” she says.
“Our operators have this great feeling and self-worth in that they are providing a genuine, caring service to disabled people, whether cognitively or physically impaired. In turn, our VIPs – which is what we call our riders – are receiving a top-notch transportation service. And we are just the conduit bringing these two communities together.”
‘At WPO meetings, we can let our hair down’
Tanya joined the WPO after being named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the southwest region in 2023, keen to explore the benefits that membership could yield both personally and professionally. Now, as a member of the Platinum VIII Chapter, she values the team spirit and camaraderie among her fellow chapter members.
“We’re about empowerment. If you’re not where you need to be and want to have a one-off conversation, we’re here to listen. And we’re here to provide advice, but only if you want it – we’re not pushy. We just want you to succeed.”
She appreciates the virtual and in-person check-ins, sharing notes about the similar challenges she and her fellow business leaders face, despite being in different sectors. It’s highly beneficial “hearing others’ experiences … the good and the not so good. Because in a perfect world, everyone’s going to be winning every day, but this world is not perfect. And our group is not judgmental but has the mindset of being there to help in whatever way we can.
“There’s always some advice you can use, as a resource that can be helpful to your business or to you as an individual. It’s so refreshing because we’re able to let our hair down and just be women who are enjoying each other’s company, talking business and learning from each other.”
Why representation matters
Winning an Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Award means a lot to Tanya, because empowerment lies close to her heart. Big Star Transit’s network of drivers consists primarily of women and minorities who are finding purpose in owning their own businesses.
“Just having the platform to give these women an opportunity to form a business, have earning power and feel empowered and elevated empowers me in turn, because I’m able to help them achieve some of their business goals,” she says.
The broader significance of the awards is not lost on her. “Maybe there’s a little girl who sees me getting this award and is like, ‘Wow, she looks like me. So maybe one day I can be like her, too. Maybe I can be a woman who’s elevating other women. Maybe I can be a part of the WPO. Maybe I can do great things because this is a person who looks like me, so I know it's attainable.’ So that’s pretty powerful to me.”