De La Torre, 28, and Atamian, 25, are the entrepreneurial minds behind the Arizona Fun Bus, which provides a safe alternative for party-goers to drinking and driving. For families, it provides a hassle-free way to attend special events and outings.

“The concept is to take people out who want to have fun, take them to a bar or gathering, get them home safely, and still make it affordable,” says Atamian, president and CEO. “We provide bottled water, snacks and the gas. We are always in radio contact with the host (that usually is De La Torre). We take all the worry out of people getting to where they want to be.”

The Arizona Fun Bus – a 15-passanger party on wheels - features a state-of-the-art sound system, a flat-screen television, wet bar, plush furnishings and neon décor.

Compared to upscale limousine services in the Valley that may charge up to $120 an hour with a 4- to 5-hour minimum, Fun Bus prices are reasonable.  De La Torre and Atamian have a program in which riders can customize their own Fun Bus rental at a reasonable price they can afford.

The duo also launched a voucher program. The public may purchase a bulk of Fun Bus rentals at a discounted price for personal use or to give as gifts. The vouchers are good for two years.  

Stepping into the bus, there is a Toshiba flat-screen TV on the wall. There is a DVD player and hook-up for iPod players on the wall with the TV.

There is a wet bar, Laser and disco lights peek out from the roof. The seating is  spacious and comfortable. The mood of the owners is upbeat.

“I usually like to host and lighten things up,” says De La Torre, director of operations. “I’m kind of the ice breaker. I also did most of the work inside the bus, so I know where things are and how things work.”

De La Torre’s entrepreneurial spirit came at an early age. In grade school he had a flourishing custom pencil business and also a detective agency (solving crimes such as stolen lunch money).

As a reserve with the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department, Atamian saw a need for a business such as Fun Bus from the different perspective: he witnessed the number of DUIs sky-rocket in the Valley. With a flourishing nightclub scene in Valley cities such as Scottsdale, there are more drivers on the road who have had too much to drink.

That’s primarily where the idea for the Fun Bus sprang. But according to the Web site, the Fun Bus offers much more.

Among the activities listed are sci-fi excursions, an Oldies package, disco fever package, trip to Goldfield Ghost Town, singles mingles, a sports tailgating party, a girls day out package (with discounts at Nature Nails and Spa), airport transportation, and meet and greet.

During the holiday season, De La Torre and Atamian hope to book groups to view the various light displays in the Valley, and also make holiday parties safe for everyone.

For now, decorating the exterior of the Fun Bus and building relationships with other businesses are high on De La Torre and Atamian’s to-do list.

“Our goal is to be the most well-established fun bus company in Arizona,”  De La Torre says. “We want to be the leaders in the fun bus industry. It would be nice to have growth and have Arizona Fun Bus spin-offs.

“We are here to serve the client and make sure they get to where they’re going in style, and have fun at the same time.”