It’s been an exciting year so far for the GoWrench Auto team: they’ve launched a new app, continue to grow their business, and recently won notable pitch competitions. In May, they received $41,000 in cash and in-kind services as a winner of the Hamilton 1Awards.
GoWrench Auto is a mobile auto repair company brings mechanics to your work or home to provide simple maintenance or complex repairs. Founder and CEO Joshua Lombardo-Bottema started the business after experiencing the inconvenience of auto servicing. With no mobile mechanic services on the market, he saw the need for more convenient service, time savings, and cost savings.
We spoke with Joshua
about his new web app, the challenges of being an entrepreneur, and why he loves Innovation Factory. (HINT: in part because of free food!)
With GoWrench Auto, customers can save money and time while receiving certified and reliable service. Customers pay 20-40% less than repair shops and dealerships. Certified mechanics will travel to wherever the customer may be to save the hassle of driving to a shop and waiting for your car.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR COMPANY?
My inspiration for GoWrench came out of a sheer need for it. I was always so busy and had put off maintenance or repairs multiple times because I didn’t have the time or the shop was closed when I was free. One time I had a vehicle break down and I was so swamped that I asked my mechanic if he could come to my work to fix it and he said “I don’t do house calls buddy”. That’s the lightbulb that led me to creating GoWrench.
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST REWARDING ABOUT BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR? WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING?
The most rewarding thing is seeing your creation come to life and seeing your staff get behind the same vision. I love my team and working with exceptional people and I love coming to work everyday because of them! Also, being able to solve problems and innovate constantly is one of my favourite things that our team does.
One of the most challenging things about being an entrepreneur (which I’m sure every entrepreneur has experienced) is the hits you take along the way. You get beaten down, told “no”, experience setbacks or failures, and things just don’t work out. You need to stay strong and keep pushing to make it happen. It’s all part of the process and you use it learn and become stronger.
HOW HAS ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEFIED OR LIVED UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
Entrepreneurship is everything they said it would be, from good to bad… it’s exciting but tedious, discouraging and encouraging, risky and rewarding. Some days you love it with your whole heart and other days you are STRESSED OUT. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?
Growth! Growing sales, growing staff, and happy customers.
WHAT HAVE YOU VALUED MOST ABOUT INNOVATION FACTORY’S SERVICES/SUPPORT?
I’ve valued the connection to mentors and advisors, the learning events, the opportunities to speak and show my business to a crowd, and of course the free FOOD! In the coming months, we will look to get in front of investors and connections to mentors that can help propel us forward.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM YOUR COMPETITION?
We compete primarily with shops and dealerships. We are FAR more convenient, we cost less, and are more transparent.
WHAT IS THE BEST RECOGNITION YOU HAVE RECEIVED?
We’ve been fortunate to receive multiple awards, been the finalist on multiple pitch competitions, and received rave reviews online as well!
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND?
We have released our web application that allows customers to get instant quotes and instantly book a mechanic to their home or work at their convenience. We are planning to scale up now and to partner with some investors as well as investment incubators. All in all we want to help more customers and serve more people in the most convenient way!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS WHO MAY JUST HAVE AN IDEA?
START! Get into Innovation Factory and just start. You might not have all the answers you need yet or even think you have a valid idea but just get around the right people and the right circles and the answers will come.
HOW CAN WE CONNECT WITH YOU?
Website
www.gowrenchauto.com
Twitter
@gowrenchauto
Facebook
GoWrench Auto
Instagram
@gowrenchauto
