INDIA: Mumbai's Mr Valet Parking

. MUMBAI, Maharashtra (The Times of India), August 24, 2008: By Mohua Gupta, Times News Network Forty years ago, Chandrakantbhai used to be a truck driver. Today, he runs a company that not only provides valet parking services and drivers on demand but every possible service your Santro or Benz could possibly require. For someone whose grasp of English is limited, taking email orders seems like a rather bold step, but that's just the kind of person the 56-year-old is. His two daughters, Deepali and Rajashree, expertly handle the website and papa has ensured that they enlist for driving lessons so that "they will not feel handicapped in any way'' . Today, there are 150 drivers at the Car Care Club, all personally vetted by Chandrakantbhai, who has offices in Ghatkopar and Worli. "I only employ drivers who have at least seven years' experience,'' says the man who started out in 1981 with two cars. By 1988, he started supplying drivers on demand and two years later, valet parking at marriage halls and clubs, a trend he proudly claims to have started in Mumbai . "Earlier, there was valet parking only at five-star hotels. It was I who started the trend in marriage halls,'' he says. "I was present at a wedding and there was a huge parking problem. That's when it struck me that valet parking would be a good business to start.'' In 2005, Chandrakantbhai added another feather to his cap by adding car repair to his menu of services. That's when Car Care Club was born. It was here that he proved to be a really smart businessman. What could CCC offer that an ordinary but expert garage mechanic couldn't ? Chandrakantbhai decided to focus as much on the client as the car and got the members of his club to fill up a detailed form that includes everything, from the colour of their vehicle to their blood group. This has been an invaluable loyalty hook. "There are times when someone we know meets with an accident and needs blood. As I have the details of all my members, I can always approach the right person to help,'' says this "matric pass' ' with the skills of an MBA. Deepak Khara, who has been Chandrakantbhai's client for a long time, says, "What distinguishes CCC is its prompt service. I had used the services of two other companies but I didn't like them.'' Handling drivers is a tough job, admits Chandrakantbhai. The pint-sized balding businessman whose hands often tremble hardly seems like someone strong enough to manage a fleet of drivers. But looks can be deceptive, something which he has ably proved. Talking about his days of struggle, Chandrakantbhai recounts how he had a tough time convincing people to take up his valet parking services. "Finally , I requested some builders and Gujarati businessmen, whom I used to supply drivers to, to put in a word for me. I even offered them the services on a trial basis. Slowly, the clients increased ,'' he says, listing big names like the Cricket Club of India and Chembur Gymkhana. While his boys in orange get paid on a daily basis, Chandrakantbhai is thinking of starting a provident fund account for them. Over the years, he has learned to leave nothing to chance. So, his tempos deployed at marriage halls come equipped with a wheelchair, umbrellas and walkie-talkies . "Marriages are hectic affairs and someone may fall ill or there may be senior citizens who need help. That is why we keep a wheelchair,'' he explains. The days of struggle may be behind him, but Chandrakantbhai still gets up at the crack of dawn to ensure that his drivers come on time for their shift. And his day ends well past midnight, particularly during the marriage season. mohua.gupta1@timesgroup.com Copyright © 2008 Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.