Help Bring Oklahoma City's New Tour Bus Home!

A small startup. A big dream. An unexpected $103,000 obstacle.

I'm Sarah Horton, founder of Explore OKC, a small, tour company in Oklahoma City.

Two years ago, I decided to become a tour guide because I love this city. I have the great privilege of standing at the city gates, welcoming visitors and introducing them to everything that makes Oklahoma City special.

I can only do this with the unwavering support of my husband. He provides for our family so I can pursue my dream. In our first year, Explore OKC grossed $17,000. This year, we'll exceed $30,000. It's not much but every penny, and then some, has gone back into building a business I love.

And now I need help.

The Dream Behind the Bus

One of the biggest barriers to participating in our tours is the amount of walking involved. Our signature tour covers approximately three miles.

I regularly meet retired visitors who are excited to explore Oklahoma City but simply cannot manage that much walking. I wanted to find a way for more people to experience our city without worrying about their physical limitations.

After months of searching, I found an electric, street-legal, open-air sightseeing vehicle manufactured in China. It was something our little startup could afford.

The shipping container could accommodate two vehicles. My shipping broker recommended purchasing a second one, with the intention of selling it to offset the cost of the first. It seemed like a smart way to make the investment work.

I took the leap. Then came the $103,000 surprise.

Our shipping container has arrived at the Port of Los Angeles. We budgeted for a 35% import tariff, approximately $6,500. Instead, we learned that the applicable antidumping and countervailing duties total 478%, resulting in an import bill of approximately $103,000.

This was a surprise to us and to our shipping broker, who has more than 25 years of experience.

I am not an international trade expert. I am a tour guide and a small-business owner who thought I had done my homework.

I was wrong about how much this would cost, and I am now in way over my head.

To bring the vehicles through customs, we face approximately $103,000 in duties. We cannot afford that.

Returning the shipment to its country of origin is another option, but doing so would mean an estimated $50,000 loss, more than two years of Explore OKC's revenue. This may be the least bad option.

Meanwhile, port storage charges are accumulating rapidly -- starting today at $150 per day and by day 9 increasing to $500 per day -- so I am moving quickly with the aid of my shipping broker.

I have contacted an import attorney to explore every possible option. I am not giving up, but I need help.

Why I'm Asking Oklahoma City for Help?

This bus represents more than another vehicle for a small tour company.

It represents an opportunity to welcome more people into our city, including visitors who cannot comfortably walk several miles.

It means new opportunities to serve convention attendees, tour groups, families, retirees, and visitors who might otherwise miss out on experiencing Oklahoma City.

I believe in this city. I believe in its people. And I believe that helping people discover Oklahoma City is worthwhile work.

I never imagined I would be asking the community for financial help. But here I am.

If you can contribute $25, $100, or whatever feels comfortable, I would be incredibly grateful. If you cannot contribute, sharing this story with someone who might be able to help is just as meaningful.

I promise to be transparent about the situation, the money raised, and what happens next. We must quickly raise a minimum of $90,000 to receive the bus. If we cannot bring the bus home, the funds will be used directly in the shipment's resolution for legal services, fees, storage, shipping, and restocking cost.

Thank you for believing in small businesses, believing in Oklahoma City, and helping me keep this dream moving forward.

With gratitude,

Sarah Horton

Founder, Explore OKC