NSU alumnus Fine helps airport travelers park
Published: 2012-04-02
Northeastern State University alumnus Mike Fine has established himself as a successful and insightful entrepreneur in the Tulsa market.
A 1970 graduate with bachelor degrees in business and economics, Fine is proprietor of Fine Airport Parking at 2010 N. Memorial Drive. Fine Airport Parking opened in 1983 and offers supplemental amenities such as detailing, oil changes, valet, and complimentary beverages, newspapers and popcorn.
Through the NSU Alumni Association, Fine is participating in the Alumni 2 Alumni program. A2A members can present their cards for a 10 percent discount on all services at the Tulsa airport parking facility.
Of course Im a bit partial but I know how good our service is, Fine said. As an NSU graduate I am proud to make this offer to other alumni.
The route to a successful parking venture wasn't direct. Fine worked for Texaco accounting and obtained a real estate license before turning toward motor vehicles.
Id always been interested in automobiles, he said. I realized I had a real knack for buying used cars below retail.
Using his expertise to secure a fleet, he opened Fine Used Car Rentals at 21st Street and Sheridan Road. Many of his customers traveled through Tulsa International Airport.
I realized there was a parking shortage at the airport, Fine said. So in 1978, I began a search of more than four years to purchase property. I was able to start this business and able to purchase additional property for about 35 billboard structures to help me advertise.
His move into the business of billboards resulted in Fine Outdoor Advertising, which was eventually sold to Lamar Advertising Company.
The interest in entrepreneurship was sparked in Fine by his parents and grandparents.
My grandparents ran a number of businesses in Sallisaw, he said. My grandfather had several brothers and they were all successful entrepreneurs. They were all great examples of love and interest in helping their fellow man combined with common sense and a work ethic. They taught me not to be shy about risking capital and sweating labor to seed an idea in the ground and make a business out of it.
Fine said he most enjoys finding and implementing new ideas to enhance customer service.
I love that side of business, he said. I want to discover faster, safer and more efficient ways to help the customers.
The attention to customer needs and concerns has helped Fine Airport Parking become a popular choice for travelers.
We try to think of all the little things that encompass the customer, Fine said. "We bought vans from a company that makes limousines. We offer fast service with our location next to the airport and a continuous rotation of vans.
We offer our Park Pass service which is a fast and convenient way to park and has a built-in rewards system for free detailing, parking and luggage. We also invested over $500,000 in our last camera upgrade we have 150 cameras protecting the customer.
Fine is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa and Leadership Oklahoma. He was awarded an NSU Citation of Merit in 1993.
During his time at NSU, Fine lived on campus and served as a counselor in Haskell Hall. He said the university helped prepare him for entrepreneurial ventures and cited its accepting atmosphere.
I thank Northeastern for being the patient teaching institution that it is, he said. I felt welcome there and they always encouraged you to be active on campus. I grew inside and out and didn't realize what a gift it was until I got older.
Fine lives in Tulsa with his wife Sherry and two children, ages 14 and 11. They have three grown children from previous marriages.
Sherry is a good idea person, he said. I often ask her for marketing and service ideas. I balance work with home life and time with the kids, but when you own a business you cant work 8 to 5 and go home and forget about work. There are times when you sacrifice, but she has always been flexible and enabled me to meet demands outside the home. She has given me so much support.