VALET PARKING WITH AN ATTITUDE
By Joan Trudell, SBA

Boston is not a car-friendly city, and finding a parking space in the midst of a major urban construction project amplifies the challenge. Imagine having to drive an ill family member or friend into the city for a visit to one of Boston’s prestigious medical centers.

Pull into the circular driveway at Mass. General Hospital to discharge your passenger. Now, your worst expectations are about to be turned upside down. You are greeted by a smiling, friendly attendant in a bright orange jacket, who treats you with courtesy, offers assistance and points the way. You and your car are in good hands. Curbside Valet is now in charge.

Curbside, founded in June, 1997, is the brainchild of John Udelson. John didn’t set out to reinvent anything when he parked his first valet car when he was a Boston University student, but he saw the need for something bigger than moving cars into spaces. He describes this need as a comprehensive welcoming service. In essence, Curbside’s primary objective is to care for its customers. Curbside’s valet attendants receive training in communications skills, proactive problem solving and tailoring their responses to the unique needs of each customer. They even patients into wheelchairs, shield them with umbrellas, even change flat tires. To signal the primacy of care over car, Curbside’s tagline is “We also park cars.”

John didn’t create this business in a vacuum. He knew how to park cars but he wasn’t sure about how to build a business. In 1995 and 1996 he sought the expert advice of John Campbell, a SCORE volunteer with whom he carefully crafted his business plan. SCORE, a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) resource partner, is staffed by former business executives who provide free, expert advice based on their many years of first-hand experience and shared knowledge on virtually every aspect of business. John Campbell brings 15 years of executive experience in sales and marketing. On a scale of 1 to 10, Campbell rated Udelson an 11 as a potential entrepreneur.

Udelson said, “SCORE had a huge impact on the success of Curbside. SCORE afforded me the opportunity to talk to an expert without being judged. That’s where I learned the nuts and bolds of how to start he business.” Udelson also used the extensive business library at the SBA’s Business Information Center in Boston to research his start-up and development issues.

When he was ready to take Curbside to the next level, he met with Campbell and SCORE counselor Niels Fischer, a corporate management expert. With their help and guidance, Curbside has grown into a $1.5 million company with 150 employees on the books and an impressive customer list that includes well-known hospitals, restaurants and health clubs.

It seems that SCORE counselor Campbell was on target in his early assessment of John Udelson and his concept.

Udelson has just launched his first direct response campaign, targeting hospital administrators throughout New England, down the Eastern Seaboard all the way to Florida. The response has been tremendous, with many hospital CEOs and security directors contacting Udelson directly to invite him to visit and assess the
hospital's parking needs. So, Curbside is currently on tour, receiving a warm welcome at hospitals up and down the East Coast.

For more information about Curbside, visit the website:
www.curbsidevalet.com or contact John Udelson at (617) 421 9800 or 866-CURBSIDE