TUPELO – Darnell and Letisha Jackson opened their first business, Jackson Insurance Group, in 2017. Like most first-time entrepreneurs, they started small, opening an office at the Renasant Center for IDEAs business incubator before graduating to a larger office in 2018.

Today, they have an even bigger office at 4008 West Main Street in Tupelo, and the building is also home to church the couple founded.

But the Jacksons, never ones to sit still, have expanded their portfolio again. This new venture is called D&L Express and Rentals, which rents luxury Sprinter vans.

How exactly did the Jackson's van rental business come about? Through religion.

"Our church was looking to go to youth convention in New Orleans, and we were looking around for vans, charter buses, but we couldn't find anything unless it was farther out and expensive," Letisha said. "The prices were just outrageous. Our thought process was, what if we just bought some vans we could use for the church when we needed, and then rent it out to others along the way?"

That plan solidified quickly, and the Jacksons bought two 12-passenger Sprinter vans and one Sprinter cargo van.

"Two weeks later, practically out of nowhere, we had the vans," she said.

The Jacksons could have opted for other vans ... something a little less opulent than the leather-trimmed and loaded black Sprinter vans they purchased, but Letisha had other ideas.

"We've been to a lot of different areas, and they do have rides from the airports to other destinations," she said. "So, we thought why don't we get some luxury vans and see how they do for people who want to drive and ride in style."

D&L Express has had a soft launch, and the response has been overwhelming, Darnell said.

"We're in the process now of getting more vans," he said. "People have asked for 15-passenger vans, so we'll be adding one."

Like any other rental car company, drivers must be at least 25 years old, have a valid driver's license and have their own insurance.

"What makes us a little different from others is that we also do one-day rentals," Letisha said. "We also have pickups and drop-offs on Saturday. Some places have you rent from Friday to Monday. You can drop off with us on Sunday to keep you from having to pay another full day."

The Sprinter rentals have a flat rate of $295 a day, with a 250-mile daily allowance and 25 cents per mile for every mile beyond that.

"We know our pricing is a little more than others around here, but once you put in the additional fees they put on their rentals, we're still the lowest," Letisha said.