Kate,
I actually currently work out of Orlando, FL as well.
(Ok, a quick Advertisement !!) As far as starting the business, I'd be happy to offer my services! I've been doing startup consulting for a number of years now, and recently moved to Orlando to work with a previous client on growing an established staffing agency. (End of Advertisement)
My recommendation, right off hand, is to go to a couple of places that have valets working (malls, up-scale restaurants), and hand them a business card (something generic would do). Let them know that you are wanting to interview them and ask some questions about what it is they do, the exciting aspects of the job, etc etc...
You can even write a blog about the process, and then simply utilize the information that you gathered to incorporate into your business plan.
Right off hand I'm not sure what exact rates would be, but in Orlando the general "Service Industry" rate is ~$3.77 - $8/hr +tips.
The Agency for Workforce Innovation states the minimum wage as follows:
Quote:
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Employers must pay their employees the hourly state minimum wage for all hours worked in Florida. The definitions of "employer," "employee" and "wage" for state purposes are the same as those established under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers of "tipped employees" who meet eligibility requirements for the tip credit under the FLSA, may count tips actually received as wages under the FLSA. However, the employer must pay "tipped employees" a direct wage. The direct wage is calculated as equal to the minimum wage ($6.79) minus the 2003 tip credit ($3.02), or a direct hourly wage of $3.77 as of January 1, 2008.
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Again, every industry will have a different Expected rate of pay, but I'm pretty sure that you could find enough employees interested in doing the job for ~$5/hr +tips (as long as tips+hourly rate >/= $6.79). If you have trouble finding employees, you can consult a staffing agency (another plug for myself :-)
Altogether, the Valet Parking business is a moneymaker in the right location, but can be a big hassle if you can't trust your employees to turn in the dough. Make sure that you will have a manager that you can trust to cover every 2-3 locations daily. Count all of your outgoing tickets, and make sure that they correspond to the cash coming in.
Good Luck!
