Episode Overview
In this special Inside The Lane episode, Krista Olien sits down with Jonny Velarde, CEO and co-founder of Valet Parking Pros, to discuss entrepreneurship, private event valet, and the realities of growing a service-based business in the parking industry.
Jonny shares how his company, operating in Southern California and Northeast Florida, grew from a family legacy in valet parking. Today, Valet Parking Pros supports private events, shuttle services, and select permanent locations. From weddings and corporate events to restaurants and venues, the company has built a reputation for responsiveness, problem-solving, and reliable service.
This vendor spotlight offers a candid look at growth, operational lessons, and the importance of maintaining quality while expanding.
Why This Matters
Every successful operation must balance service, staffing, relationships, and growth.
This episode provides insight into the realities of building a valet and shuttle business while reinforcing a key truth: reputation, responsiveness, and trust separate good operators from great ones.
What You’ll Learn
How Valet Parking Pros grew from a family foundation What it takes to operate private events and shuttle services Why Southern California is a strong event valet market How the company balances events with ongoing accounts How teams handle unexpected operational challenges Why steady, sustainable growth matters How relationships drive long-term success
Key Takeaways
The business was built on generational industry knowledge Event valet requires speed, flexibility, and problem-solving Unexpected challenges require strong frontline decision-making Reputation is built by showing up when clients need help Growth should not come at the expense of quality Relationships remain one of the highest ROI investments
Episode Breakdown
00:00 Introduction and guest welcome
00:45 Jonny’s background and company overview 02:00 Family roots in valet service
02:45 Private events and market focus
04:00 Current accounts and operations
04:45 Stolen vehicle incident and lessons learned
06:20 Training and verification practices
07:25 Growth strategy and priorities
08:30 How to connect with Valet Parking Pros
09:00 Jonny’s podcast and networking insights
10:40 Closing thoughts
About the Host & Guest
This Inside The Lane episode features:
Krista Olien President of TPN Consulting and podcast host, leading conversations that highlight the people and ideas shaping the parking industry
Jonny Velarde CEO and co-founder of Valet Parking Pros, a valet and shuttle company serving private events and select locations in Southern California and Northeast Florida
About Inside The Lane
Inside The Lane is a special segment of Our Parking Industry Podcast that highlights vendors and partners serving the industry. These short episodes give companies an opportunity to share who they are, what they do, and how they support parking professionals.
Listen & Follow
Catch the full episode and subscribe to Our Parking Industry Podcast on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Stay connected for more conversations shaping the future of parking.
