Parking Port Airport Parking

www.parkingport.com.au

1. Tell us about your business

Parking Port is an off airport parking and storage facility . We park your car and shuttle you to the main terminals in 6 minutes. We also store long term vehicles, caravans, boats, trailers, motor bikes and shipping containers. We have detailing facilities for vehicles and we are able to park up to 700 cars. Parking Port also contracts to small off airport rental car compny's, accepting return rentals and pick up's after hours.

2. When and why did you start your business?

I have always wanted a multi story car parking facility however, the cost left me out so the next best was airport parking. I started the business from scratch just 1 year ago and I am the only female with an airport parking facility in Melbourne.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with your business?

On a personal level I have proved to myself that I am still young enough to operate this business and that as a female I am just as good as the guys in a very male orientated business. I have managed to gain a loyal group of clientel who promote my business by word of mouth because they like the service I provide and the fair prices.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

The main challenge is to make people aware of the fact that there are other places to park, not only at the airport. The internet is also challenging in staying on the front page with generic listings and knowing how NOT to get penalised by the Google BOTS for making a mistake.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

The internet is the number one source for our bookings, everything else pails in comparison. Word of mouth is the best but very analogue (slow)

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Brochure drops and print media did not work at all for us.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

The people I work with and my customers.

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

I am inspired by the many small business people in Australia who have good work ethic and fair mindedness toward the consumer.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

I would like to go 'green' in the near future. We have already installed water tanks for washing and plans are on the board for solar power.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

The best tip I can give is to put yourself in your customers shoes each and every time. Take an interest in what your customer is about, by doing this, giving them the service they expect is a lot easier.

Visit us at: www.parkingport.com.au