We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gil Igondjo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gil, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Over a decade ago, a simple desire to surprise my wife with a spotlessly clean car led me down a path that would eventually become Igo-Mobile Detailing. Back then, we were parents to young kids, and I thought a full car detail would be the perfect gift.
I took her vehicle to a local car wash and unfortunately, after six long hours of waiting, the result was nothing short of disappointing. The car still had dirt and stains, and I couldn’t believe the time and money wasted.
In response, I decided to take car cleaning into my own hands. I started by washing and detailing our cars, learning and experimenting along the way. Friends and family quickly noticed the transformation in my vehicles whenever they rode in them. Their reactions ignited my passion for detailing.
The idea of starting a mobile detailing business began to form, but it took time to gather courage and chart a path. Fear and uncertainty are common obstacles when pursuing a new venture.
Almost seven years ago now, I was still working at a job I came to hate. It was a dead-end situation, and I knew I needed a change. Fortunately, my job allowed me to listen to podcasts often, and I listened to many motivational speakers. One phrase that stuck with me was: “It doesn’t hurt to try.”
This phrase emphasized the importance of taking risks, exploring new opportunities, and pursuing one’s passions. They reminded me that if I didn’t like it, I could always find another job. This message resonated deeply, and it was the push I needed.
I realized that I had always had a love for cars, and I had developed a genuine passion for cleaning and detailing them. And with that, I decided to take that leap of faith and go all-in.
The fear of failure no longer held me back because I was pursuing something I truly loved. Failure was no longer a worry; it was merely a part of the journey.
And so, I transformed a simple idea into a thriving reality and Igo-Mobile Detailing was born.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hello, I’m Gil Igondjo, and I’m the proud owner of Igo-Mobile Detailing, a custom mobile detailing business servicing the Greater Phoenix area, encompassing Anthem, CareFree Hwy, Cave Creek, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills. Our business is more than just a detailing service; it’s a commitment to our community and a passion for everything on wheels. At Igo Mobile, we believe in the value of a proper detail – one that takes time and dedication. Many people love their vehicles but lack the hours it takes to maintain them properly.
That’s where we come in. We’re here to serve our community by offering top-notch mobile detailing services to those who need it. Our mission is simple: we want everyone to experience the joy of a pristine vehicle without the hassle of doing it themselves.
Think about those hot Arizona summers when the scorching sun can leave your car covered in dust and grime. It’s moments like these when our services truly shine. We’re not just about making cars look good; we’re about making your life easier.
Igo-Mobile Detailing is a family-owned business, and that sense of family extends to our clients. When you trust us with your vehicle, you become part of our automotive family. We’re dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction and exceeding your expectations with every detail.
So, if you’re in need of expert mobile detailing services, look no further. Igo-Mobile Detailing is here to provide you with the best care for your wheels, so you can enjoy the ride without the worry.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Building a strong reputation in our market has been a journey rooted in several key principles. First and foremost, it’s about consistency. Consistency in our procedures, our customer service, and in meeting and exceeding our clients’ expectations.
We’ve made it a point to be reliable and punctual, always keeping our promises and communicating transparently if any issues arise. This has fostered trust, a vital component of our reputation.
Our passion for this business is another driving force. It’s not just a job; it’s a calling. This passion translates into our work quality, and our clients can sense that. We’ve maintained a commitment to excellence by adhering to meticulous procedures that ensure the same high-quality results every time.
Ultimately, it’s our team’s personalities that set us apart. We prioritize friendliness and professionalism, and we genuinely care about our clients. We don’t cut corners, and we’re always ready to educate our clients about the best practices in vehicle care.
Our dedication to being experts in our field and our desire to give back to our community have been instrumental in shaping our reputation as a trusted and reliable mobile detailing service. It’s a combination of these factors that has allowed us to build a reputation that we’re proud of within our market.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Certainly, building our social media audience was a gradual process that I initially navigated with limited knowledge. In the beginning, I simply posted before-and-after photos of our work, and over time, this consistent effort started gaining traction. It proved to me that even as a small local business, there was an audience out there interested in what we had to offer.
Another significant boost to our social media presence came from my involvement in a networking group. These groups are invaluable for any business looking to expand its online reach. The connections I made were not only engaging with our content but also helping me spread the word about our services. Networking groups provide a supportive environment where you can learn from others and, importantly, ask for help when needed. It’s an essential step that I highly recommend for those starting to build their social media presence.
Around four years into the business, a turning point came when I was able to bring my niece on board. She’s a wiz when it comes to sales, marketing, and tech. Her expertise helped us not only maintain but significantly expand our social media presence. We went beyond Facebook, venturing into Google, Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok. Her work also extended to our website, where she worked on creating backlinks and building our brand’s reputation on Google. In our experience, Google has proven to be a crucial platform every business should work to build.
One key takeaway from this journey is the importance of consistency. Maintaining a regular posting schedule and a uniform voice across all platforms is vital. It may seem slow at first, especially for small local businesses, but remember, people are still looking you up. Building an audience takes time, but it’s worth it. Stay patient, stay persistent, and don’t hesitate to seek help and advice when you need it. Networking groups, like the one I joined, can be a goldmine of support and knowledge. So, for those starting, keep posting, keep connecting, and keep growing. Your audience is out there, waiting to discover what you have to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://igo-mobile.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igomobileaz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/igomobiledetailing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/igo-mobile-detailing/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/igo-mobile-phoenix
- Other: https://linktr.ee/igomobileaz