All Things Parking with Dani and John

Why Parking Still Matters In The Uber Era with Mark Lawrence

What happens when one frustrating parking problem turns into a company that changes the industry? In this episode, Dani Crain and John D. Conway sit down with Mark Lawrence, founder and CEO of Spot Hero, to unpack the company’s journey from one Wrigleyville parking spot to its acquisition by Uber. Mark shares the early lessons, hard pivots, Covid challenges, and strategic focus that helped Spot Hero become one of the most recognizable names in parking. The conversation also looks ahead to autonomous vehicles, Uber integration, and why parking may be even more important in the next era of mobility. In this episode, Mark and your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway get into: (00:02:53) Mark shares how too many parking tickets led to the idea that eventually became Spot Hero. (00:05:06) You’ll hear why Spot Hero almost had a very different name before the team landed on the one people know today. (00:10:19) Mark explains the early milestones that mattered, from 50 spaces to selling 11 spots in a single day. (00:12:21) You’ll learn why Spot Hero stayed focused on Chicago before expanding into new markets. (00:20:24) Mark talks about the resistance Spot Hero faced when moving parking reservations away from paper. (00:25:12) The conversation turns to Covid and the brutal impact it had on Spot Hero and the parking industry. (00:33:43) Mark explains why Uber felt like the right home for Spot Hero after years of other opportunities. (00:45:53) You’ll hear Mark’s case for why autonomous vehicles will still need parking, even without human drivers inside. Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this show: * SpotHero: Parking made easy, wherever you go: https://spothero.com/ * Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS): bringing you a new standard in parking compliance: https://www.parkingprrs.com/ * LAZ Parking: making a difference, one car at a time: https://www.lazparking.com/ * Asura Technologies: an automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and video analytics company: https://asuratechnologies.com/ * Parking Whisperer: https://parkingwhisperer.com/ Thanks to Mark Lawrence for being on the show. Connect with the hosts: * http://www.parkingtalk.com * Dani Crain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-crain-3754a3178/ * John D. Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-conway-b55a7025/ * info@parkingtalk.com Subscribe, like, and follow: * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/44KScHB * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0haGDmNJCmKl5PIuVpWK1j * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkingTalkwithDaniJohn-hb9ku?sub_confirmation=1 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkingtalk-com/ * X/Twitter: https://x.com/parkingtlk This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.successwithstories.com.

The Deal Junkie Mindset That Wins Business with Steve Resnick

How do you stay relevant in an industry that’s constantly evolving? Steve Resnick is a 30+ year industry vet who’s done a bit of everything from operations to sales to tech, and now leads North America for Get My Parking, all while still playing music and investing in real estate. He talks about how he got started, why he keeps coming back to the industry, and what he’s learned from the wins, the losses, and everything in between. In this episode, Steve and your hosts, Dani Crain and John D. Conway, get into: (07:13) Steve explains his current role and how he works across global teams in parking technology. (11:13) The conversation dives into why Steve keeps coming back to the industry despite other opportunities. (21:47) Steve shares how he first got into parking after washing cars in garages. (34:35) John reflects on Steve’s transition from operations into high-level sales roles. (47:36) Steve explains how he stayed relevant by learning from operators in the field. (01:10:51) Steve discusses his move into technology and lessons learned from Tez. (01:17:01) Steve shares what drew him to Get My Parking and why he calls it his “spaceship.” Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this show: * SpotHero: Parking made easy, wherever you go: https://spothero.com/ * Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS): bringing you a new standard in parking compliance: https://www.parkingprrs.com/ * LAZ Parking: making a difference, one car at a time: https://www.lazparking.com/ * Asura Technologies: an automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and video analytics company: https://asuratechnologies.com/ * Parking Whisperer: https://parkingwhisperer.com/ Thanks to Steve Resnick for being on the show. Connect with the hosts: * http://www.parkingtalk.com * Dani Crain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-crain-3754a3178/ * John D. Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-conway-b55a7025/ * info@parkingtalk.com Subscribe, like, and follow: * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/44KScHB * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0haGDmNJCmKl5PIuVpWK1j * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkingTalkwithDaniJohn-hb9ku?sub_confirmation=1 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkingtalk-com/ * X/Twitter: https://x.com/parkingtlk This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.successwithstories.com.

Turning Parking Assets Into EV Charging Hubs with David Weber

In what ways will electric vehicle (EV) charging become a competitive advantage for parking assets? In this episode, David Weber joins Dani and John to share his journey from valet parking in Las Vegas to leading EV charging strategy at SWTCH Energy. They provide a practical breakdown of EV charging economics, infrastructure, and software. A parking and mobility veteran, David Weber is helping reshape how parking assets generate value as part of the EV charging ecosystem at SWTCH Energy. Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this show: * SpotHero: Parking made easy, wherever you go: https://spothero.com/ * Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS): bringing you a new standard in parking compliance: https://www.parkingprrs.com/ * LAZ Parking: making a difference, one car at a time: https://www.lazparking.com/ * Asura Technologies: an automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and video analytics company: https://asuratechnologies.com/ * Parking Whisperer: https://parkingwhisperer.com/ Thanks to David Weber for being on the show. Visit https://swtchenergy.com/ to learn more about EV charging platforms and solutions. Connect with the hosts: * http://www.parkingtalk.com * Dani Crain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-crain-3754a3178/ * John D. Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-conway-b55a7025/ * info@parkingtalk.com Subscribe, like, and follow: * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/44KScHB * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0haGDmNJCmKl5PIuVpWK1j * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkingTalkwithDaniJohn-hb9ku?sub_confirmation=1 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkingtalk-com/ * X/Twitter: https://x.com/parkingtlk This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.successwithstories.com.

What Parking Can Learn From Law Enforcement with Nick Nicholas

Why is parking enforcement often more dangerous than most people realize? In this episode, John and Savana talk with Nick Nicholas about viewing parking through the lens of public safety, policing, and frontline risk. Nick shares insights on why parking enforcement is one of the most under-trained and exposed roles in municipal operations. Nick Nicholas is a Police Captain with the Seal Beach Police Department who unexpectedly found himself overseeing parking—and ended up becoming one of its biggest advocates. Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this show: * SpotHero: Parking made easy, wherever you go: https://spothero.com/ * Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS): bringing you a new standard in parking compliance: https://www.parkingprrs.com/ * LAZ Parking: making a difference, one car at a time: https://www.lazparking.com/ * Asura Technologies: an automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and video analytics company: https://asuratechnologies.com/ * Parking Whisperer: https://parkingwhisperer.com/ Thanks to Nick Nicholas for being on the show. Connect with Nick on https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas364/ Connect with the hosts: * http://www.parkingtalk.com * Dani Crain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-crain-3754a3178/ * John D. Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-conway-b55a7025/ * info@parkingtalk.com Subscribe, like, and follow: * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/44KScHB * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0haGDmNJCmKl5PIuVpWK1j * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkingTalkwithDaniJohn-hb9ku?sub_confirmation=1 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkingtalk-com/ * X/Twitter: https://x.com/parkingtlk This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.successwithstories.com.

The Human Element in a Tech-Forward Parking Industry with Julie Dixon

In this episode, Dani and John sit down with Julie Dixon, Founder and President of Dixon Resources Unlimited, whose 35-year career has taken her from writing tickets on a bike in Isla Vista to becoming one of the most respected voices in municipal parking. Julie shares how enforcement shaped her approach to public safety, the chaos of her first day managing San Francisco’s meter program, the real legacy of SFpark, and what it means to build a debt-free national consultancy as a woman in the industry. In this episode, Julie and your hosts, Dani Crain and John D. Conway, get into: (03:34) Why Julie believes enforcement should be about compliance and education, not punishment. (17:45) The inside story of SFpark, sensor testing, and how Julie became known as the “sensor queen.” (27:22) Julie on criticism, sexism, and navigating a male-dominated industry with integrity. (30:24) Her PhD project: creating a formula for adequate municipal enforcement staffing. (47:05) The biggest lesson Julie has learned in 35 years: listen before reacting. Thanks to our sponsors for supporting this show: * Laney Solutions: leaders in recruiting talent for the parking industry: https://www.laneysolutions.com/ * SpotHero: Parking made easy, wherever you go: https://spothero.com/ * Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS): bringing you a new standard in parking compliance: https://www.parkingprrs.com/ * LAZ Parking: making a difference, one car at a time: https://www.lazparking.com/ * Asura Technologies: an automated license plate recognition (ALPR) and video analytics company: https://asuratechnologies.com/ * Parking Whisperer: https://parkingwhisperer.com/ Thanks to Julie Dixon for being on the show. Connect with the hosts: * http://www.parkingtalk.com * Dani Crain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-crain-3754a3178/ * John D. Conway: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-d-conway-b55a7025/ * info@parkingtalk.com Subscribe, like, and follow: * Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/44KScHB * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0haGDmNJCmKl5PIuVpWK1j * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkingTalkwithDaniJohn-hb9ku?sub_confirmation=1 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkingtalk-com/ * X/Twitter: https://x.com/parkingtlk This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.successwithstories.com.