Page 46 February 2017 One appointment. Expert doctors. Convenient services. 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Ste F100 Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.955.8700 • FPSAZ.com Because caring for your health has always been our passion, we’ve made the following services conveniently available in our office. • Excellent care for all ages • Same day appointments • On-site clinical laboratory and X-rays • Dermatology and Optometry services • Botox and Obagi skin care now available Celebrating 47 years of family care M-F 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon. Mark A. Wyse, M.D. Kate Montgomery, FNP Allan Goldman, D.O. IMG_0897.JPG IMG_0900.JPG IMG_0898.JPG IMG_0901.JPG IMG_0899.JPG IMG_0902.JPG Lanterman Photo 602.577.1640 David Anderson, O.D. Optometrist David Francyk, D.O. T.E. McCauley, M.D. Tyler Southwell , M.D. Andrew Racette, D.O. Certified Dermatologist Topher Bradshaw, PA-C Victoria Rhodes, P.A. Alisha Archibeck, D.O. Jennifer Francyk, PA-C Walter Koppenbrink, M.D. Charles Levison, M.D. Epic Valet was recently awarded the curbside valet parking service at Sky Harbor. By Rachael Bouley J.C. Brooks’ pride and joy is his self-started business, Epic Valet, which has been servicing the Arcadia neighborhood and the Valley for 18 years. Brooks and his dedicated staff have recently been given an additional reason to celebrate, as the company became the exclusive provider of curbside valet parking at Sky Harbor International Airport. This exciting new service comes after years of hard work and dedication to improving and expanding his business. Born in Dallas, Brooks spent his much of his childhood and teenage years in Phoenix while visiting his mom. He moved permanently to the Valley in 1993 to attend Arizona State University. It was during his college years that he first got involved in the valet business, working part-time for another company while taking classes in finance, marketing and accounting. As a Business Entrepreneurship major, his final project before graduation was to pitch a business idea to a panel of local business owners. Using his experience in the industry, Brooks presented the concept of Epic Valet, which was awarded the best idea for a business by the judges. Brooks officially opened Epic Valet from his Arcadia apartment garage only a few months after his graduation in July 1998. Since then, he has devoted himself to establishing quality relationships with his customers and the community. “It really has a lot to do with how you treat people,” said Brooks. “Your persistence and work ethic also make a difference.” A key to building the business was timing. By starting Epic Valet in the late 90s, Brooks was able to benefit from a decade of a successful economy. “Insurance was less expensive, Phoenix was a booming market, and the barriers to entry were pretty minimal,” Brooks said. “When the market crashed in 2008, valet was one of the first things clients cut out of their budget. The amount of private parties we booked really decreased during that time, but luckily, we did not have to lay anyone off.” Now business is booming once again, and he credits his continual success to his positive relationships with his clients, many of whom recommend Epic to others and spur its growth through word of mouth. The business has grown substantially, servicing airports, malls, restaurants, hotels and night clubs, as well as the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, the Waste Management Phoenix Open and all official ASU functions. The newest service is the Sky Harbor curbside valet and in its first months, the service has already attracted the attention of frequent f liers and travelers for its convenience. Customers are dropped off at the Terminal 4 departure doors and can walk to security gates in less than a minute. The valet drivers can tell departing clients the security checkpoint wait times, so they can head to the shortest one and save time. “People come and try the service, and then realize they like it better than any other way to get to the airport,” said Brooks. “It’s faster than the parking structure, you don’t have to go around in circles to get up or take the elevator and everything is done by phone or online in 30 seconds.” Looking to the future, Brooks intends to grow into larger accounts, such as hospitals, shopping centers and hotels, as he continues to grow the business he started nearly two decades ago. “I couldn’t imagine working for someone else. I enjoy the fast pace and working with all sorts of different people,” said Brooks. “I’m very prideful of the job and people tease me that when I have a kid, I’ll name him Epic.” Local valet company expands to Sky Harbor