Today we’d like to introduce you to Rob LaLonde.
Hi Rob, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For Valets, by Valets. That was thought process and creation of Valet Vault. Zach Wojohn, CEO and Creator had a vision to “fix a problem” that became a sleeping giant in the hospitality industry. As a Valet then soon to be owner of Executive Parking here in Atlanta, Zach was always trying to make a better box than what was sold to him. After 3 high end cars were stolen in one night, he decided enough was enough and put his ideas to work. To build the SAFEST. SMARTEST. STRONGEST. podium on the planet. Well at least that is what Valet Vault has become. What started as a fix for all of the issues he had encountered while valeting became literally the best podium in the market today. Valet Vault has patented technology inside and out. First ever self closing door. Industrial Grade Aluminum able to withstand over 1k lbs of pulling resistance. Interchangeable Illuminated Signage-perfect for events and a revenue generator for both the operator and the client. And of course security..an Industrial Grade 1 Lock with Access Control features that allow any operator to manage multiple podiums/users/view activity, from anywhere in the world-all from any smart phone or tablet.
Its a trifecta partnership. Zach Wojohn’s 25+ years in the hospitality and parking industry, knowing how to fix issues with Valets and theft. Grant Henry of Henry Incorporated, partner and fabricator of these amazing beasts whos signs and walkways have been seen all up and down the eastern seaboard, from the Olympics, to Mercedes Benz Stadium, Coca Cola and Disney World; Henry Incorporated family owned business of 3 generations builds nothing short of perfection. I bring the sales and security piece with 25+ years of physical security in the Federal Government and Commercial space.
Today Valet Vault is in every major city in the US, partnered with all 5 of the largest parking companies in the world making what use to be a “like to have” podium, to a “Must have” podium. Finally, Valet Vault is considered Best Practice with the largest parking insurance provider in the parking industry Alliant Insurance-giving their clients $100 off annually for every Valet Vault they purchase.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes we had issues as everyone did. The pandemic came at the worst time. At least so we thought. I turned to be a blessing in disguise. As we built these podiums right here in Atlanta, they needed to be tested. You have to remember, Valets/Operators and opening and closing doors on these 500 to 1000 times daily. They are running up and down garages in sometimes, not the best weather conditions. Valet Vaults needed to be indestructible, but also efficient. As we had a few sales throughout the US, the down time allowed us to follow up with our clients, see what they liked; what could be better-what didn’t work so well (yes we had a few) and fix them before the economic ramp up. What was supposed to be our first trade show became a virtual event-which was a complete waist of time and money. People needed to see our podiums first hand, touch it see the self closing door. Our podiums are upwards of 3 times the competition, so until our clients saw these boxes first hand we were up a creek without a paddle. Our mission was that we needed to change the industry. The avg key fob today is $500 to $1000. And that does not include exotics. Imagine 100 to 400 of these in a podium. You can have close to a half a million dollars in a podium. We needed to get some out there, which meant we needed to “gift” some, but it needed to be strategic. We needed to find the biggest players in the industry throughout the US and get their opinion. And hopefully, spread the word. Much like the owner of Beats Headphones. It worked as we are not selling to Apple for $3B, we are turning heads.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Valet Vault?
Sorry to say but in the US, we as a people are a reactive country. Coming from security I know this all to well. We wait for something bad to happen and we adjust. Everyone wants security, they just don’t want to pay for it or think they can put it off. Valet Vault was about changing an age old problem. As a majority of podiums in the market today look and are, nothing more than a filing cabinet on wheels-its been this way for decades. Remember what keys looked like in the 80’s, 90’s, they were simple. If you lost a key, simply go anywhere and get another one cut. Know we have fobs that have to be programmed by a technician. Zach WoJohn’s goal was for this…to make a podium, safe, smart, and secure, keeping his clients at ease while keeping his customers that hired him happy. When a bad expierinance happens at a restaurant or hotel because of the valet, they don’t ask, “whos the Valet company?” Its, my bad expierinance happened at “XYZ” and I will never stay there again. If you see Zach on a street, he will tell you himself, “I was just trying to fix a problem” And he did,
How do you think about luck?
I’ve attempted numerous times to be a successful entrepreneur. I’ve always thought I had what seemed to be great ideas for a business, just bad luck didn’t allow them to work out. I can say this in life and in business. But I’ve always thought to myself, where to go next, its never over. You have to lift your head up, take a long look at your life as a whole and re-evaluate. I truly believe everything that happens is for a reason, whether it be a test or ” its just the cards you are dealt with-so deal with them” It’s not easy, but good does come eventually down the road.
Pricing:
- Guardian Wall Mount starts at $2950
- Defender Series (Illuminated) starts at $4500
- Sentinel Series (Non-Illuminated) starts at $3250
- AlumiSign starts at $2950
Contact Info:
- Email: ROB@VALETVAULT.COM
- Website: valetvault.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valet-Vault-107297127653697/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/valet_vault/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCszmKPEDayUk9UCzSpeCC6g
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertlalonde/
