Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Harmon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

John, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Are you tired of the endless hassle and uncertainty of getting your car repaired?

In a world where car repairs often seem like a daunting and opaque process, ObiiGO was born out of a singular mission: to bring transparency, convenience, and trust back into the automotive service industry.

The journey began with a simple, yet powerful idea inspired by a frustrated customer. She had spent an entire day driving from repair facility to repair facility, searching for a repair quote. The endless traffic and time it took just to get three quotes highlighted a glaring inefficiency in the system. It was in this moment of frustration that the spark for ObiiGO was ignited.

ObiiGO wants to bring value to every repair. ObiiGO understands the frustration and it was built in collaboration with repair shop owners and car owners. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and user-friendly interfaces, they connect car owners with a network of trusted mechanics, enabling transparent communication and competition. This not only drives down costs but also ensures that quality and reliability are never compromised.

Every feature, every update, and every decision at ObiiGO is fueled by the desire to simplify the car repair process and create a community where trust is paramount. They understand that a car is more than just a vehicle—it’s a lifeline, a source of freedom, and often, a member of the family. And with this understanding, ObiiGO strives to make sure every car owner feels confident and informed about the care their vehicle receives.

In 2025, ObiiGO will start to offer “rewards” for all repairs. These rewards can be used at over 400 stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, or you can retain your rewards for future repairs. This initiative is designed to add even more value to every repair and enhance the overall customer experience.

ObiiGO is the only auto repair app that offers “repair now, pay later.” With 1 out of 3 Americans potentially going into debt with a $500 repair, ObiiGO provides another way to pay for repairs with no credit check. A simple oil change can be paid interest-free over 8 weeks with ObiiGO’s “repair now, pay later” option.

ObiiGO’s mission transcends the app itself; it’s about fostering a culture of integrity and service in the automotive world. They envision a future where every car owner has access to fair, transparent, and quality vehicle care, making road journeys smoother and lives a bit easier.

You can find ObiiGO FREE in both app stores!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

John Harmon, the founder and CEO of ObiiGO, has a fascinating journey. He initially came up with the idea for ObiiGO while at a repair facility. A customer’s frustration with having to visit multiple garages to get repair quotes inspired him to create a solution. Harmon envisioned an app that would allow car owners to instantly get repair quotes from multiple repair shops.

Harmon’s goal was to simplify the car repair process and make it more transparent and convenient for car owners. The app has been well-received, with downloads doubling every week since its launch.

In early 2022 ObiiGO added a “buy now, pay later” feature through Klarna and affirm which Harmon believes will be a game-changer for the app. This feature allows users to set up payment plans for automotive services and repairs, making it easier for car owners to manage the costs.

“As a founder and car owner, I still need to get my car repaired and serviced. I have paid for everything using Klarna. I like having weeks to pay off my bill and keep the cash for gas and daily needs.”

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Everday with a startup is a grind. Many hours spent alone strategizing. You have to have something in you to keep going. There is nothing glamourous about have a startup. I compare a startup to “hugging a cactus”. You see it, want to nurture it but, when you get too comfortable with it, it will stick you and it hurts. There is something new you have to overcome every day. There is no “off” switch with an app.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There is a lot of information today about building a startup. Be careful what you read. Mirror the people who have done it. They’ll be honest, they’ll share their mistakes, and they’ll help you avoid those wrong turns. Too many people sit on the sidelines giving advice because they are associated with an incubator and have the “advisor” title. Those people are wrong more than right. A startup is like having a child. Would you take advice from someone who’s never had a child?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.obiigo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obiigo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IwantmyObiiGO
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/obiigo/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/5WqPyVsQoOc
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@obiigo

Image Credits

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