Meet Chelsie Paine of Pinky’s Valet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsie Paine.

Chelsie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I always knew I wanted to be my own boss one day. I think my parents knew it too at a young age. In college, during a speech class, I made a video talking about how one day I’d love to own my own business. I have never had any idea what that business would be but, through life, I have learned that everything we do is a stepping stone to our next chapter. And I embrace those stepping stones more now than ever.

In 2008, when the economy crashed. I was left like many others without a job and forced to find a new direction in my career. I started working as a part-time valet attendant with efforts to keep myself busy and active. It was then that my creative wheels began spinning and I saw an opportunity to create a niche in the market. It was such a male-dominated field and I first hand was experiencing levels of being discredited for my ideas and visions. I personally felt this was because I was a woman.

Pinky’s started with one valet setup; a box, umbrella, few cones and a drive of determination that let every “no” motivate me to get a “yes” from someone else. I had doubts at times and even took another “corporate administrative” job at one point but, it was in those few months that I knew that was it… I was going to make this work and working in an office all day on a clock was not for me.

Prior to Pinky’s Valet, you did not see many females working for other local valet parking companies. Now, you see them all the time. I may not be the sole reason for paving that path locally but, if the formation of Pinky’s in Dallas, TX had anything to do with opening the mind of other local companies to hire females as valet parking attendants then it is a win for everyone; especially the women.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No road to success is smooth; as cheesy as that sounds… it is true. It has not always been so “accepting” of women doing a job that for so many years was seen as a job better fit for a man.

I had a hard time launching Pinky’s in the beginning and getting traction that would allow for me to make this my full-time career. I was subsequently pushed out the door from my other parking attendant job; had run out of my savings, used up my severance and had to take another “corporate administrative” job because I just couldn’t make it work week to week any longer.

In those months; I realized more than ever that I determined my own fate for happiness with my career and my success. It was 6 months or less that I had that job. I was grateful for the position but, I knew I would become unhappy again working day to day in that manner. So, I gave Pinky’s everything I had.

I made calls or sent emails or even napped in my car on lunches, I would leave work and go network afterward. I would book and then work almost any event I could get and even for a very discounted price. I was determined to get out of that office and out from under someone else’s clock.

Pinky’s Valet, LLC – what should we know? What do you gals do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I currently act as the CEO for Pinky’s Valet. We specialize in special event and private event valet parking services. We service many event spaces, museums and private clients in DFW.

Our image of being predominately female is the obvious that sets us apart from any other valet company…that and now our staple “Pink” cones that you see when you pull up to a private event or venue we service. However, that is just the outer layer.

We believe we can bring a different energy and valet experience to every guest by delivering a professional service with a genuine smile. It is a valet experience, not just a valet service. Ask any of our employees at any event, they love their job and the company they represent.

I have surrounded myself with people who have integrity, a hard work ethic, character and a will to succeed. We all embrace more of a family mentality at Pinky’s, we treat each other and our clients how we would want to be treated.

As an employer now, I can now ensure that every one of my employees is treated how I wanted to be treated for so many years. I think that is the biggest reward of them all.

Our company motto is: Teamwork makes the Dreamwork… we say it, we believe it and we act in that manner. We want everyone who works for us to succeed and in return even when they do not need this job anymore they are usually eager to come back around and help out during business times.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I will recap a previous sentence from this interview. As an employer now, I can now ensure that every one of my employees is treated how I wanted to be treated for so many years. I think that is the biggest reward of them all.

I get to help create an environment where people enjoy their job, love what they do, they can be compensated fairly for their hard work, be encouraged in life outside of their position with us all while being supported by their peers, management and company.

I tell and show my management team all the time; if Pinky’s succeeds with a new client, event or venue then we all succeed. We take care of our people and in return, they take care of our clients. That is the success.

Contact Info:

• Address: 6333 E. Mockingbird Ln. #147-823
  Dallas, TX 75214
• Website: www.PinkysValet.com
• Phone: 214-529-6923
• Email: info@pinkysvalet.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pinkysvalet
• Facebook: facebook.com/pinkys.valet
• Twitter: twitter.com/pinkysvalet

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