SmartCEO Brava Awards 2015

The Brava Awards program celebrates female CEOs, nonprofit leaders and high impact executives who combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community. Brava Award winners are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth. Each year, an independent committee of local business leaders selects winners based on company growth, community impact and mentoring. SmartCEO shares their inspiring stories in the July/August issue of SmartCEO magazine and celebrates their success at an awards reception in July.

When Stephanie Kozak Allen first went into business 21 years ago, she and her husband found a location off the beaten track — an old Westinghouse parking lot on what was considered a back road in Essington, PA. However, with the help of creative marketing techniques, Kozak Allen and her husband were able to attract drivers to the site. They started with only 50 spots, and then continued growing. Fun Fact: Employees recently joined together to help Smart Park win the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best Places to Work award.

The inspiration for Smart Park, Inc. was to provide excellent customer service. As a small company, Smart Park cannot match the discount rates and Groupon deals some larger competitors are offering. However, Smart Park continues to attract customers by treating them well and going the extra mile, such as by sweeping snow off all cars.

One of the main challenges that Smart Park has faced over the years is taxes. The company is taxed by the township, school board and now an airport access fee. Kozak Allen overcomes these challenges by focusing on her employees. She identifies areas of concern and makes it a point to find a solution. Outside work, she is also the main caregiver for her mother, who had a stroke three and a half years ago. Although doctors recommended placing her mother in a nursing home, she lives at home and is doing well today.