How Joel Christensen Is Changing Parking with Purpose

About this episode

Dani and John discuss with Joel Christensen how Parkwell is innovating in the parking industry while maintaining its culture.

How can parking companies scale without losing their culture? Also, what lessons can operators learn from Parkwell’s growth story?  In this episode, Dani and John talk with Joel Christensen about candid insights on culture, technology, enforcement, and the future of mobility. Joel’s story highlights the power of risk-taking, values-driven leadership, and keeping the parking industry both innovative and fun. Joel Christensen is the Founder and CEO of Parkwell, a boutique parking company with roots in Denver and a growing presence across California.  Joel and your hosts Dani Crain and John D. Conway get into: (03:01) How Parkwell began as a side hustle to support a tech startup. (08:34) His early valet lessons in Malibu taught him grit, humility, and giving 110%. (14:57) Joel describes leaving Laz Parking to take a leap into entrepreneurship. (20:02) The story behind the Parkwell brand name and why it stuck. (24:05) How family values, mentors, and Pepperdine’s influence shaped Parkwell’s culture. (28:15) Why maintaining culture is more important than chasing technology trends. (41:00) AI, autonomous vehicles, and how operators should adapt. (58:21) Enforcement vs…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dani Crain, John D. Conway

Guest: Joel Christensen

Topics covered

• parking industry
• company culture
• entrepreneurship
• technology
• mobility
• leadership

Keywords

• parking
• entrepreneurship
• company culture
• technology
• mobility
• leadership
• Parkwell

Sponsors

Laney Solutions, SpotHero

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Parkwell, Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS)

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• Turning Parking Assets Into EV Charging Hubs with David Weber · January 8, 2026 · 1h 18m
• What Parking Can Learn From Law Enforcement with Nick Nicholas · December 18, 2025 · 1h 11m
• The Human Element in a Tech-Forward Parking Industry with Julie Dixon · November 25, 2025 · 1h 16m
• How a Bartender Became a Parking Industry Leader: Kasey Wiles · October 16, 2025 · 1h 5m