Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered Parker Technology

We sat down with parking veteran Roamy Valera, the President of Automotus, to chat about trends and innovations popping up in parking, and what it really takes for industry outsiders to get a foothold in parking. 

For segment two we sat down with Amy Brown, the CEO of the fastest-growing privately-held company in Indiana, Authenticx. Amy shared insight into the challenging feat of building a venture scale high growth healthtech company while also raising 4 children. 

In this episode, Roamy shares insights on curb management, the gig economy, and the need for equity in parking policies. We also dive into his immigration from Cuba and how he balances work and family life. 

Then we talk tech with Amy Brown, who has been working in the AI space since 2017 and is an expert when it comes to this innovative technology. 

Her company Authenticx uses conversational artificial intelligence to help healthcare executives make valuable business decisions. 

Here are some key takeaways from this episode:

The truth about outsiders innovating in parking and mobilityHow Automotus is monetizing the “dumbest piece of real estate in the world” Bringing patient voices into the healthcare boardroomBe sure to check out these great clips from the show:

Roamy's Parking Journey (02:07)

Evolution of Parking Technology (05:52)

Challenges in Policy Changes (15:22)

Automotus Curb Management Solution (18:05)

The Equity of Parking Tickets (20:39)

The Challenge of Physical Parking Fines (21:39)

Innovative Parking Solutions in Smaller Towns (23:27) 

Transition to a Scale-Up Company (32:36)

Privacy Concerns and Camera-Based Solutions (28:46)

Personal Hardship and Family Separation (39:10)

Challenges in Policy Changes (40:16)

The Need for Faster Go-to-Market Time Frame (41:17)

The Adoption Curve (41:42)

Procurement Process in the Govtech Space (42:54)

Coaching Tree and Leadership Style (46:42)

Segment 2 with Amy Brown:

Authenticx Growth and Customer Impact (53:29)

Bringing Customer Voices to the Boardroom (55:20)

Challenges in Marketing AI Technology in Healthcare (58:58)

The Hardest Part of Building and Scaling a Company (01:01:51)

The CEO's Journey (01:03:55) 

Building a Mission-Based Culture (01:05:23)

Navigating Business Challenges (01:07:12)

Summiting Mount Shasta (01:10:44)

Parenting and Balancing Work (01:19:45)

Reflections on Overcoming Hardships (01:25:22)

Adversity and Success (01:26:47)

Gratitude and Recognition (01:28:20)
Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:
Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts 
Click Here to Subscribe via Spotify
Click Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music 
If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. Thank you so much!
​​Want to help the show?
Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.
Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

In this episode of Harder Than It Looks, Sarah Blouch dives into the journey of managing parking solutions at CampusParc and The Ohio State University. 

We’ll discuss challenges from stakeholder management, the integration of environmental initiatives, and get into what concession agreements look like from negotiation to execution. 

Then we explore the significance of customer centricity beyond typical service teams, detailing a universal five-step model. 

In Segment 2, guest host Claudia Lopez, Client Success Manager at Parker Technology, interviews Jyo Shukla, author of “Customer Success Mindset: Building Customer-Centricity into the DNA of your Growth Strategy,” advocates for empathetic engagement and the creation of raving fans through exceptional service and strategic communication.

This convo does a really good job of breaking down complex parts of parking like concession agreements and customer experience into easy-to-understand ideas and tactics 

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
The pros and cons of a Concession AgreementHow Sarah Blouch is breaking down diversity barriers in parkingHow Jyo Shukla turns customers into raving fans
Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

Sarah's Career Journey (00:03:02)

Transition to Ohio State University (00:05:00)

Transition to a Concession Agreement (00:07:13)

Managing the Transition (00:10:56)

Understanding Concession Agreements (00:15:20)

The University's Financial Gain (00:20:18)

Challenges Faced During COVID-19 (00:21:05)

Navigating the Arm's Length Relationship with the University (00:23:12)

Adapting to Technology Changes (00:26:20)

Managing Parking Rules and Regulations (00:27:44)

Addressing Customer Frustrations (00:29:15)

Navigating Campus Politics and Decision-Making (00:30:04)

Challenges of Operating within a Concession Agreement (00:35:06)

Perspective on Diversity and Inclusion in the Industry (00:39:55)

Segment 2: Jyo Shukla

Fostering Customer Sucess and Advocacy (00:57:16)

Takeaways from “Customer Success Mindset” (01:06:30)

Embracing Change and Overcoming Adversity (01:19:25)

Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:
Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts 
Click Here to Subscribe via Spotify
Click Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music 
If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. Thank you so much!
​​Want to help the show?
Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.
Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

This episode is a masterclass in parking marketing or “Parketing.” 

We sat down with 3 incredible marketing leaders in parking, RJ Juliano, Sarah Becherer, and our own Heidi Barber. 

You are going to learn actionable tips that you can use to improve the marketing function at your company immediately. 

In segment two, we sit down with Casey Crouse to dive into some of the intricacies that make running Ultra Marathons even harder than they look. 

We compiled an all-star panel of “parketers” to dive deep into a topic typically overlooked in our industry.

RJ Juliano, is the CIO, CMO, and Senior Vice President at Parkway Corporation, a Philadelphia-based leader in real estate and parking development that operate nearly 21,000 parking spaces. 

Sarah Becherer is the VP of Marketing at Ocra, you might remember our episode with their CEO, Ethan Glass. Sarah has over 15 years of experience in demand generation, brand awareness, and customer acquisition. In 2018 she was selected to the NPA’s 40 Under 40 list. 

Heidi Barber is the VP of Marketing at Parker Technology and also a member of the NPA 40 Under 40 list. She has over a decade of B2B Marketing experience and sits on the steering committee for Women in Parking. 

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

The Connective Power of Marketing between product, sales, and customer experienceHow to build your parketing team from the ground up. The village it takes to cross the finish line of an Ultra Marathon
Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

The Parketing Collective (00:04:44)

Transition from CIO to CMO (00:08:24)

The importance of a distinct brand for parking operators (00:10:55)

Challenges in marketing (00:16:17)

Discipline and benchmarks in marketing (00:21:37)

Science of Marketing (00:22:32)

Consistency in Marketing (00:23:02)

Effective Marketing Tactics (00:24:56)

Brand Establishment and Thought Leadership (00:27:29)

Humanizing the Brand (00:30:52)

Digital PR and Blogging (00:33:53)

Data and Analytics Investment (00:38:00)

Building a Marketing Team (00:41:28)

Product Marketing and Differentiation (00:42:44)

Brand Ambassadors and Leadership (00:43:50)

Outsourcing and Resource Allocation (00:44:18)

Joining the Parking Collective (00:45:03)

Challenges in Parking Jobs (00:49:16)

Wishful Changes in Parking (00:51:56)

Professional Achievements and Parketing Collective Call (00:55:59)

Segment 2: Casey Crouse

Ultra Distance Running (01:05:20)

Running a 100-Mile Race (01:08:01)

Adversity in Ultra Distance Running (01:11:15)

Nutrition and Preparation (01:14:48)

Lessons Learned and Finish Rates (01:16:08)

New Shoe Day (01:19:14)

Measuring Success (01:24:47)

The Mission of Providing New Shoes (01:24:50)

Fundraising and Challenges (01:26:05)

Cost of Providing Shoes (01:26:53)

Becoming a Board Member (01:28:29)

Leadership and Fundraising (01:31:31)

Meaning in the Struggle (01:34:10)

Empathy in Customer Service (01:36:55)

Balancing Work and Family (01:39:06)
Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:
Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts 
Click Here to Subscribe via Spotify
Click Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music 
If you have a chance, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. Thank you so much!
​​Want to help the show?
Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.
Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com

Today we talk to Walt Gray, Director of Parking and Transportation for George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Houston Hobby Airport, and Celeste Ching, founder and CEO of C Three Partners.

We start by diving into Walt’s journey through the transportation industry from Arabian Horses, to cars to parking. 

Walt recounts his journey from the automotive industry to parking management, detailing the challenges and successes he faced, including the evolution of parking technology and the implementation of automated systems to enhance customer experience. 

Additionally, Celeste Ching shares her experiences in the parking industry, the rewards of investing in employee training, and the personal side of balancing work with homeschooling her four children.

Everything’s bigger in Texas… including the parking. 

Walt Gray manages over 39,000 spaces between Houston Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental Airports and he has the stories to match.

Throughout this episode, he discusses the difficulties of balancing limited parking resources and the emotional aspects of relocating employees for space optimization. The episode also touches on the complexities of parking management and people's misconceptions about the industry. 

For part two Celeste Ching joins us to talk about two things that are both harder than they look, starting a company and homeschooling 4 kids. 

She shares some incredible lessons she learned from her career in market research that she applies to both of her companies today. 

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

Using technology to innovate on customer experienceThe security shift post 9/11Work-life and personal life are less of a balance and more of a blend
Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

Houston Airports Passenger Records (00:02:13)

Walt Gray's Journey into Parking (00:03:48)

Impact of 9/11 on Parking Operations (00:13:53)

Walt Gray's Experience in Arabian Horse Business (00:17:05)

Technology in Parking Operations (00:21:21)

Automating Transaction Processing (00:21:36)

Customer Feedback and Lessons Learned (00:23:02)

Incorporating Advanced Technology (00:24:13)

Transition to Fully Automated Parking (00:25:20)

Security Measures and Homeland Security Regulations (00:29:06)

Scope of Parking Operations (00:30:40)

Limited Resources and Prioritization (00:37:22)

Fresh Eye Approach and Inspection (00:40:25)

Personal and Professional Challenges (00:41:16)

Moving Employees and Parking Equipment (00:44:28)

Complexity of Parking (00:46:27)

The Hardest Thing in Parking (00:48:21)

Transition to Professional Life (01:00:18)

The Startup Challenge (01:03:29)

Success Stories (01:04:15)

Understanding the Parking Industry (01:07:27)

Juggling Two Businesses (01:09:06)

Homeschooling and Parenting (01:11:09)

Teaching and Learning (01:12:49)

Parenting and Recognizing Strengths (01:14:36)

Recruiting and Coaching (01:19:13)

Pride in Leadership and Parenting (01:22:29)

Building and Training Teams (01:23:23)

Subscribe to Harder Than It Looks.To subscribe to Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered please use the links below:
Click Here to Subscribe via Apple Podcasts 
Click Here to Subscribe via Spotify
Click Here to Subscribe via Amazon Music 
If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much!
​​Want to help the show?
Tell us about you! Please visit parkertechnology.com/podcastsurvey and fill out our short survey to help us deliver more great episodes like this one.
Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstart

Andrew Sachs is not your typical parking industry professional. With a background that spans commercial real estate, venture capital investment, and digital media, Andrew brings a unique perspective to the table. 

As the owner of Harbor Park Garage and the founder of Gateway Parking Services, he has successfully connected the dots between providing excellent customer service and leveraging the power of search engine optimization (SEO) to enhance the parking experience.

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
Business lessons learned from Andrew’s time in the regional theater. Embracing change and innovation. Challenging the status quo. Advice on painting a vision for your team.
Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

SEO and Connecting to the Community (00:09:35)
Andrew discusses the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in connecting parking facilities to the community and the significance of positive reviews.

Community Connection (00:22:05)
The conversation shifts to the importance of connecting to the community and the significance of having a clear vision for success.

Attention to Details (00:23:11)
Andrew emphasizes the importance of paying attention to details in the parking business and other industries.

Communicating Vision (00:23:52)
The importance of communicating a clear and active vision for success in business is highlighted.

Creative Chaos (00:25:33)
The concept of creating creative chaos and incorporating fun and engagement in business interactions is discussed.

Problematic Partnerships (00:30:22)
We share experiences of dealing with difficult partners and the impact on business success.

Diverse Business Experiences (00:34:07)
The importance of diverse business experiences and the value of bringing different perspectives to the parking industry are explored.

Technology and Thought in Parking (00:37:41)
The discussion revolves around the evolving trends in parking technology, the shift towards AI, and the importance of integrating parking facilities with the surrounding community.

Adapting to Demographic Shifts (00:45:01)
Exploration of the impact of demographic changes on the parking industry and the need to consider future needs and relevance.

Challenges of Parking Operations (00:46:34)
The difficulties faced by parking operators in managing on-demand services and balancing current demands with future planning.

Evolving Roles in Parking (00:47:29)
The evolution of parking jobs, from basic tasks to complex responsibilities, and the need for support and training.

Customer Service in Parking (00:56:06)
The importance of customer service in the parking industry and the need for improvement.

Surviving and Adapting (00:58:25)
Andrew's pride in surviving, improvising, and adapting in life and business.

Challenges of Leadership (01:17:46)
Nate discusses the challenges of checking his ego and managing a team of coaches.

Painting a Vision (01:19:48)
We talk about the difficulty of inspiring a team to believe in a vision they have never seen before.

Leading by Example (01:24:35)
Highlights the coach's commitment to leading by example and building strong individuals in addition to great wrestlers.

The Value of Hard Work (01:27:36)
Discusses the importance of hard work, celebrating the process, and the reward of achieving difficult goals.

Balancing High Expectations and Fun (01:37:35)
Addresses the challenge of balancing high expectations with maintaining a fun and engaging environment for the wrestling team.

Connect with Parker Technology.While delivering an excellent customer experience is indeed harder than it looks, we’re the experts. It’s all we do, every day, and we’re darn good at it. If you’d like to learn more about how we make managing the parking experience look easy, visit our website at www.parkertechnology.com, or shoot a note to getstarted@parkertechnology.com.

Insights from the Parking Industry: Innovations, Entertainment, and Unconventional Ventures

We sat down with Isaiah Mouw, president of PAVE Mobility, who delves into the complexities, untapped potential, and innovations around gateless parking and automated enforcement in the parking industry.

Part two uncovers the journey of a self-published author who narrates his humorous experiences in the parking industry. Larry Cohen, CAPP talks about his decision to self-publish, the process of writing his follow-up book, and his ambitions of turning his parking adventures into a comedy TV show. 

Isaiah is a veteran when it comes to parking podcasts. He is the host of The Parking Podcast, a show about the $100 billion parking industry and the people that make it go. (Check out when the roles were reversed and Brian was a guest on Isaiah’s show here.)

In the show, Isaiah shared compelling data on the benefits of transitioning to a gateless parking system. He noted that the initial investment in cameras and signage for a frictionless parking system is on par with that of a gated solution. 

However, the gateless system has the potential to outperform in terms of revenue generation. Studies have shown that when people pay for parking in advance, they tend to spend more, leading to increased transient revenue. Surprisingly, about 84% of parkers still pay without the presence of gates, often resulting in higher revenue collection compared to gated facilities.

Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:

Revolutionizing Parking with Tech: We dove deep into the world of automated parking enforcement and how it's changing the game. Imagine a world without the hassle of gates, where license plate recognition technology does all the work. Isaiah shared how this tech not only saves costs but could potentially boost revenue more than traditional gated systems.The Human Side of Parking: Despite all the tech talk, we didn't forget the human element. Isaiah stressed the importance of customer service and maintaining a positive reputation in the industry. He even shared his own strategies for handling public interactions, given his introverted nature. It's a reminder that behind every parking space, there's a person making it all happen.Career Journeys and Sacrifices: Larry Cohen, CAPP opened up about the sacrifices he made in his 20s, putting his career first to excel in the parking industry. He shared the reality of the job's demands and the need for flexibility and mobility to climb the ladder. It's a candid look at the personal side of professional growth in our field.
Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

Automated Parking Enforcement (00:02:51)
We talk about automated parking enforcement, comparisons to gated facilities, and best practices.

Isaiah's Journey to Parking (00:06:51)
Isaiah shares his journey into the parking industry, including how he transitioned from working at a bank to joining Republic Parking.

Introduction to PAVE Mobility and Automated Parking Enforcement (00:11:02)
Isaiah explains the role of PAVE Mobility and details the process of automated parking enforcement using license plate recognition technology.

Isaiah's Experience in Sales and Operations (00:13:13)
Isaiah discusses his transition to a sales-focused role and the importance of maintaining a good reputation in the industry.

Communication and Technology in Parking (00:16:07)
The conversation touches on the importance of communication in the parking industry and the significance of picking up phone calls.

Comparison of Gated Facilities and Automated Enforcement (00:19:52)
Isaiah provides insights into the use cases of gated facilities and the benefits of automated enforcement, particularly in budget-constrained situations.

Revenue Increase without Gates (00:21:38)
Exploration of the increased revenue potential with advance payments, changes in rate structure, and the impact of gateless parking on revenue.

Challenges of Parking E