How I Launched A Car Repair Directory And Reached $10K Sales From Beta Testing
Hello! My name is Jim Korpolinski, an entrepreneur at heart and Founder of CARvengers.
Simply put, CARvengers is a community-based car repair directory to help you connect and make service appointments directly with local, reputable repair shops within your community.
We achieve this by offering only verified reviews, being FREE to create your Customer account, and offering unique features to help keep track of your servicing needs. We realize there is a lot of doubt these days in looking at reviews in terms of validity. CARvengers to the rescue!
A Customer can ONLY leave a review once their car repair has been completed via a push button notification feature from the shop side which alerts the Customer via text, email, and within their CARvengers dashboard. Likewise, to be fair, shop operators too can reply to the review. As there are typically two sides to every story or in this case, every review.
From the shop side, we offer an affordable technology platform to help businesses small, medium, and large to secure their future customers of tomorrow, today! By this, I mean for a business owner to develop their own technology platform with only their unique needs can be very costly and time-consuming! More importantly, who is going to be responsible for running and maintaining the site? Time is precious and every day we seem to have less of it! While participating in a platform like CARvengers allows a shop to concentrate on doing what they do best!
While every shop today most likely has its own basic website with varying functions, how does their future Customer locate them if their name is not as well known? Especially if their shop is known for tire repair, but very few know there is a Master Mechanic on staff which can help diagnose a car’s engine warning light, etc..
I’m not your average bear and here’s why.. While I’ve been involved with very successful and not-so-successful tech startups throughout my past, what one sees typically posted in the media as a typical tech founder is simply not me!
Coming out of beta testing, we achieved approximately 10k in sales! Not bad considering this was during the middle of Covid and no brand awareness. To help foster a working relationship with our 1st paid car repair shops we offered a special “one and done” pricing option in addition to a lower monthly subscription price. Currently, we are utilizing word of mouth, social media, SEO, and event participation as the world opens up after the Covid freeze to help people become aware of CARvengers and to sign up for a FREE Customer Account.
What's your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?
Coming out of beta testing, we achieved approximately 10k in sales!
Personally, I have always been an Entrepreneur, first and foremost. I say this because I have always liked creating new businesses and working for myself. Heck, I did not want to go to college and recall discussing this in earnest with my father.
However, I did go on to Michigan State University and graduated. While ultimately the right decision for me, I was confused as to why, in many of my classes, we were studying people who had never gone to college or quit college. Talk about irony! Either way, I have to say being exposed to so many people throughout campus and my classes was the true highlight of my college experience! As I’m a people person!
Having worked in the following roles since college of Outside Sales, Inside Sales, Sales Management, Operations, Vice President of Business Development, Consulting for major corporate 500 businesses and new tech companies just starting out, I was on my way to start my current venture, CARvengers!
While working as an Advertising Sales Executive for GrubHub in their earlier days, I got the fever for “Tech”! I mean I was all in! We were helping restaurants get more business and grow beyond belief! It was a new era for the service sector and in the early 2000s tech was back!
I got the idea for CARvengers while driving one day. As I sat on the corner of a busy uptown intersection in Chicago, I witnessed a woman on the corner all dressed up in business attire and high heels on a very hot and humid July day. In her hand, she held a sign stating not to do business with the car repair shop on the same corner as they were holding her car hostage.
I rolled down the window and asked why? She replied that originally when she brought in her car for repair she was given a quote of $300 and when picking her car up, she was given a bill of $600. Double, with no prior notification. Feeling taken advantage of, she decided to take a day off work and let people know about how she was treated.
I thought then and there, why is there not a better, easier way to locate a local, reputable car repair shop? When searching for car repair places on the internet, you can see lots and lots of places with reviews. Yet, looking deeper, I realized that many search results could be based upon paid search results, proprietary and/or certified results from within websites claiming to offer the best repair shop selections.
I noticed further that many reviews online are not authentic and could have been left by anyone! Today, as more and more people change jobs and move to and fro more often than any previous generation, car shop repair knowledge and related services are in short supply! As many peoples’ family and friends may not have any helpful knowledge on where you should go to receive a trusted repair in their local community.
Upon self-reflection, I noted the following. I was not the typical tech founder one thinks of as a rebellious college drop out with the ability or contacts to attract venture capital funding from nearly day one! Nope, not me.. I’m older, experienced and have tasted both success and failure. Ouch! Yup, I have been an entrepreneur before and lost everything! Yet, here I am again after much soul searching, further tech experience, and a positive attitude to go along with it!
Take us through the process of designing your initial offering.
In terms of designing the website, while I knew the look and feel I wanted to present, I am not a UX designer nor a coder. As a result of a startup competition at 1871, of Chicago, an incubator, I was awarded membership for a period of time, which I truly took advantage of.
By this, I mean I showed up to experience all there was to experience and learn. Through various classes I attended, I was able to meet Kim, a fellow member, who had the knowledge on how to help me design the website. It was the first time I was able to see my creative picture in real life!
In order for a UX’r or website designer to be their best, I believe it is incumbent upon you to take the lead and outline core functions of your site to help them understand not just the purpose of the site but how you want to identify the site or more importantly differentiate the site from your competition. (i.e. - are you community based, non-profit,)
Additionally, how do you want to “speak” to your audience? What feeling do you want to evoke when one reads and navigates your website? Think voice inflection when trying to identify if you want the website wording to be witty, sarcastic, funny, tongue and cheek, etc..
Just be careful as what you believe may be witty or funny could be interpreted by others to be the opposite. Think of texting here and how difficult it can be in certain circumstances for those, who especially are not familiar with you personally, to understand your true intentions. The unfortunate truth today is people are quick to make judgments and be reactive at the moment. You definitely want to be proactive in the messaging of your site and not reactive! Keep your messaging simple and on point.
From there, I located a technology software development company through networking connections and I was off to the races! Not having a lot of money and while working simultaneously, I contracted a development company I could afford and spent the following months guiding and helping create a new website.
For this process to work, one has to realize they need to be PRESENT themselves and flexible in learning more about coding than they ever thought possible. Just because a company is developing the code for your idea to take shape does NOT mean you can sit on the sidelines and assume they know best! You need to participate every week, have and LEAD regular meetings and agree upon future deliverable dates.
At the end of the day, it’s on YOU if things are not to your liking. Yes, you may not know something for lack of experience but you can introduce others to your project who can help protect your best interests.
Yet, again, without participation, you simply will not have a dependable, successful product at the end. KNOW YOURSELF, first and foremost! If you are not willing to invest the time, you will NOT have the result you are seeking! It’s not bad for self-reflection but rather a sign of maturity and understanding to own one’s strengths and weaknesses.
Be honest with yourself. For if you are not, at some point in the near future someone or some situation will illuminate your shortcomings for you. Don’t let that happen to you! Be real and be honest with yourself! This advice alone will save you lots of time, money, and heartache.
Describe the process of launching the business.
Financing & Startup Costs
In terms of financing the business, I used my credit cards and income from my existing job at the time. Yes, there are many funding options out there, such as venture capital firms, angel investors, family and friends, etc.. Yet, I’ve discovered many venture capital firms in the midwest which even advertise being a seed funding company, etc.. truly are not.
They too want to see proven early adoption numbers and typically a subscription revenue model in which to achieve initial financial success and growth. It’s easier today than ever to search out and locate venture capital companies and individuals willing to invest via the internet but just be prepared to take the time and resources in reaching out to them.
Typically, when first starting out, most people believe you can simply start taking orders, sell your services, etc.., without laying at least a basic foundation of how you are going to pick your host server, if not utilizing your own, software maintenance packages, expense tracking, legal business designation (i.e. - Sole Proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, etc..), CRM system for tracking leads, sales, and implementation of delivered products.
The list can and does include more items listed here but can be far less costly depending on your resources. By having a core beginning team of qualified individuals to navigate beginning structure issues for your business and/or website makes a HUGE difference.
Unlike myself, others I’m familiar with have two or three Co-Founders and are able to tackle many issues at once with the knowledge they are being completed the proper way. Yet, I would still check by having regular “weigh ins” for needed “deliverables” and check off items as completed with the team as a whole. Again, be “present” every day, not just a day here or there!
Trying to locate an early investor outside of your usual friends and family can be and usually is a full-time job itself which you simply may not be prepared to tackle at this moment in time. Be aware, the earlier the investor, the more equity you will need to give as your concept is unproven and/or for simply being the 1st investor. PLUS, many entrepreneurs assume they are not in a power position at the beginning in terms of attracting investors, etc. Forget that widely held belief and simply know it’s a two-way street!
You need to be interviewing and viewing those investor prospects as if you will be working with them for a very, very long time, in most cases. Think of the potential investor relationship as dating. If you come together, you will be legally connected until the company is sold, etc. The bottom line, the relationship needs to work for you too.
Beta Testing
Upon finally testing the CARvengers website and beginning beta or testing mode, I made the site available to be “seen” on the web after completing most software development and was anxious to see the reaction from mom & pop shops in addition to regional and dealership locations. However, my timing could not be worse as Covid was just on the horizon in the news in some far-off land and I had just left my six-figure plus job to launch something from nothing! Oh god, what have I just done!
I used the Covid shutdown time to present to businesses still open and get feedback from those meetings during that time if allowed to meet. Needless to say, I used a lot of masks and sanitizer!
The direct contact of selling to merchants directly vs phone or email was simply invaluable! Why? First and foremost, to receive feedback in real-time! This should be required of all new website ventures, in the beginning, to not only learn if their presentation is hitting home but just how effective is it? In other words, what tools are you using to present? Are those tools the right ones? Is the presentation too long or short? Does your presentation include opportunities to learn more about the pain points of the prospective clients’ operation and include trial closes throughout?
Trust me, if you truly do as I say, you will in real-time know then and there what needs to be perfected within your sales presentation. By the way, what good is it if you do all the presenting utilizing the latest technology and possess NO business card or a simple leave-behind piece as to who you are and what you offer? Remember, you are simply one of many salespeople who have attempted to connect and present to the same decision-maker throughout the day. Don’t let your competition define who you are and don’t leave an opportunity on the table! You and only you know more about the product/service you are selling compared to anyone else in the room!
Additionally, selling during Covid was an art all its own as one needed to adapt to the many issues of the day which in and of itself had nothing to do with the usual sales process. Some businesses were hurting and others were flourishing. Yet, not in the way, one would think. Many small businesses which had a great team in place for years were losing some of their finest service technicians to competitive offers from which they could not compete.
Note, it was not as though small businesses were not paying well, to begin with! Many were already paying six figures plus. Particularly, the boutique service shops geared toward servicing specific vehicles such as Mercedes, Porsche, etc. As a result, many businesses were trending toward having too much business and not having enough qualified, trained employees to operate as usual! Yet, I took every meeting as an opportunity to learn more about the success of the CARvengers platform and/or where I could do better. Think of your invested presentation time as “research and development” as that is exactly what it is!
Additionally, I offered unique “one and done” pricing during my BETA phase to attract revenue and test the perceived value of the site’s functions and ultimate mission of helping introduce new and returning customers to those doing business in a fair and honest way.
By offering “early traction” pricing, I was simply reflecting the reality that especially during Covid times I may not be able to bring the customers initially due to lack of open events for exposure, etc..and to acknowledge that reality I would offer for a limited number of “one and done” pricing for $2,000 in which the merchant would never have to pay another penny for being on the CARvengers website.
This would include all the premium present day features and future add-ons. Since that time, the “one and done” price is still relevant in new areas to which CARvengers is expanding and has since been increased. This usual special initial offer is utilized by many new tech companies to varying degrees but should be used with caution as I’ve seen many new tech companies not keep track of their pricing models throughout the U.S. only to hurt themselves down the road.
As a result of special pricing models, I was able to secure initial traction with some of the best known car service shop names of BOTH independents and dealership organizations within the Chicaoland area.
SEO is not secondary and should be thought of as step #1 in addition to your first line of code.
Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?
Being CARvengers is a two way platform, meaning it needs to attract users to open FREE Customer Accounts and sign up for local repair shops and related services, challenges exist on both sides.
To attract potential new Customers to the website we are utilizing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques and good ole referrals from everyone we meet! It helps that people are naturally searching for car repair coupons on a daily basis and CARvengers has a coupon listing page, on the site to show accessible coupon offers. To receive the coupon code, all one needs to do is register for their FREE Customer Account.
Regarding specific (SEO) techniques and strategies is literally a multimillion dollar business in and of itself! Yet, I myself do not have training or coding knowledge which meant I needed to investigate my (SEO) options going forward.
By doing so, I searched LinkedIn to find businesses, agencies, and individuals with the appropriate experience I seek. By doing so, I learned so MUCH! Again, if you have a Co-Founder with (SEO) knowledge you are in a very esteemed position! I myself learned I needed to go back to the drawing board and incorporate the techniques and lessons I learned from working with others within the (SEO) market.
Know this, (SEO) is not secondary and should be thought of as step #1 in addition to your first line of code. By implementing a sound and researched (SEO) strategy for your particular brand needs on day one, you will be that much farther ahead than your closest competition! Know too, (SEO) is a long game and is not to be thought of as here today, gone tomorrow (OR) it will be you who is gone tomorrow!
By doing just a few simple (SEO) steps, I have already started seeing results and most importantly have a plan for going forward!
Part of the (SEO) plan included incorporating a blog page where we can help bring awareness to more users (Customers & Merchants) to the CARvengers platform.
How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
Currently, just coming out of BETA testing, we secured just about 10k in sales.
The interesting thing about the business culture today coming out of the Covid fog of 2021 into early 2022. Even though event opportunities re-started after being closed for two years such as industry-related conferences, etc., the events were shorter in length and/or on the opportunity side space for new participants was limited and available first and foremost to those who had attended before the pandemic. Additionally, the newly returning events found themselves absent of many experienced staff members who could simply not be replaced in such a short time due to being let go during the pandemic and retiring permanently as a result.
Effect, increased participation fees, shortened event length and/or schedule as compared to pre-pandemic, or simply not enough room for all new entrants.
The business model of CARvengers itself is lean and purposeful. Meaning as tech companies go we put our money into vetting a better CARvengers experience itself. Currently, we are searching for those who would prefer working as an independent 1099 employee out of their home throughout the U.S. to accommodate their schedule and to help with our sales goals. Please reach out to [email protected], if interested.
Honestly, without outside funding, we need to be practical about the best way to grow aggressively while maintaining a working budget. In other words, no free snacks or an impressive large office and atmosphere to wow Silicon Valley potential investors.
Covid itself has helped us add features earlier than expected such as setting up an appointment system for viewing classified items for sale or trade-in addition to viewing in person a used or new car for sale! This was needed to help CARvengers locations deal with fewer staff and issues related to Covid. Yet, even after Covid, this feature is here to stay in addition to area merchants adapting to a new era of tech systems implemented much earlier than ever planned.
Currently, just coming out of BETA testing, we secured just about 10k in sales for our earlier mentioned “one and done” strategy and are aggressively marketing the CARvengers platforms via cold calling, college campus visits, etc.
Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?
WOW! Talk about a loaded question, lol!
I’ve learned time and time again, nothing is perfect or at least as perfect as I’d like it to be, in addition to nothing is truly ever “done” in the tech start-up world. Maybe something is completed for the time being but that’s about it.
While I tried in vain to find a dependable, Co-Founder on the tech side, I only experienced failure on multiple fronts and occasions. Why? For many reasons but mainly due to people over-committing to what they believed they could accomplish. I could actually write a book on my experience in trying to locate a Co-Founder of Tech as it would be quite sad, scary, and hilarious all at the same time.
It would be rated “X” warning the viewer as my personal experience is not for the faint of heart, lol!
If you can find a Co-Founder to truly help pull their weight where they are offering something different from you and your other Co-Founders, I congratulate you! For you are truly building a foundation for success! Yet, if you are partnering with your friends and family members who may or may not be adding unique skill sets you are simply adding more problems to solve down the road.
By this, I mean to be mindful of who and what is needed to start coding/building and eventually launching your business. Just because you have no money and or a limited budget does not mean that your friend who is leading sales is best suited to become Vice President of Sales upon your first investor.
Beware of the trap for many tech founders and keep it real! Meaning, of course, most of us will need the help of family, loved ones, and friends to help us not only begin but maintain our early journey.
Yet, do not confuse early adoption or success as a sign these are absolutely the right people to promote going forward. If you want a friend to remain your friend, probably not the best idea to include them going forward without at least having a heart-to-heart conversation about their understanding and direction as compared to yours. In another word, discuss the reality of the situation and clearly outline the needs for the position today vs tomorrow and more importantly, the experience and knowledge needed to lead such a position.
I’ve seen tech companies make the mistake of hiring childhood friends, new friends since college, and “friends of friends” which may solve a temporary problem today but I practically guarantee you WILL have issues down the road which could even land you in legal peril. Do NOT succumb to the easy solution of relying on others to mind the gaps of today only to bring you to the EDGE tomorrow. I’ve seen it happen and almost destroy great companies!
Honestly, this one always gets me, “how do we maintain the culture of a tech startup today as we grow?” First, please know this is simply coded for how we can still play at work as friends with no boundaries and keep the “insider” vibe alive and well. Short answer, you can’t and shouldn’t. Let me ask you this. Can you go back and keep the vibe of being age 16, or any age for that matter, alive and well in your 30s and beyond? Probably not, as what worked then simply does not work now. New challenges, new frontiers to explore, etc.
Do you recall the feeling of starting your first professional career position as a newbie and the feeling of being on the outside your very first day? Why would any growing company want that feeling to be felt by every new employee going forward?
Know this, as a growing entity you will lose initial members. It’s normal and okay and does not usually reflect anything personally upon you or your business. Rather, it’s more of a reflection on the individual who seizes the opportunity to work within a startup during its early days due to more work freedom, less monitoring or micromanaging, and very few rules, etc. Some people flourish better within an open, new work environment with limited guard rails so to speak. GREAT! Yet, be mindful to adapt as you go forward and DO the right thing!
To the point above, I say this. When it comes to establishing your company’s culture it’s on YOU! NOT anyone else but YOU! If you say you're a diverse company around a table of all senior positions made up of men or women around the same age and experience, guess what? YOU ARE NOT DIVERSE!! You have already established your culture unknowingly. I get it as they may be truly and honestly those who have gotten you to where you are today. Yet, try and look at your senior team makeup early from an outside point of view and ask yourself some hard questions. Don’t send the wrong message by saying in words only where your company would like to be vs having in place a diversified senior force ready to teach, learn, and grow! Be all-encompassing as early as possible.
I myself have been searching for a diversified work team from day one and it has proved to be more difficult than originally thought. Why? From the questions, I’ve asked within a tech incubator to outside professionals specializing in diversification the short answer is supply and demand. Where I’m based in the Chicagoland area is not where many stay within the coding profession for long as compared to the opportunities, benefits, and weather of California, Texas, and Florida. The midwest is strong when it comes to talent but not as strong in terms of retention. Much younger, talented, and educated coders of all backgrounds whether male or female initially seem to explore various better weather climates when younger and tend to come back once in a relationship and ready to start a family in order to be closer to those family members left behind. Especially, if they need a built-in babysitter option, lol! Too true, as I’ve seen this in action many times.
What this does to areas within the midwest is increase the cost and demand of experienced coders who come back from larger companies expecting larger salaries, benefits packages including equity, and working hour flexibility in terms of hours and location. Many startups, including myself, cannot compete. It’s literally that simple.
Oh yeah, one last piece of advice and I truly believe it is one of the most important! As a founder of a company, tech or otherwise PLEASE, PLEASE, do not say “I” did this or “I” alone did that!
Give credit where credit is due! As I know from personal experience almost no one and I mean no one, unless already wealthy and incredibly knowledgeable about all things tech and business, did anything on their own! From concept to launch, most people, like 99.9%, got to where they are from a combination of loved ones, family members, and/or friends by helping them financially and otherwise to be able to give the founder the room to start their business idea.
I’ve heard many founders of businesses at conferences, meetings, etc.. take sole credit for something which I know they did not achieve on their own. Why be that way? Be honest, be real, and be inclusive and mindful for those who sacrificed to help launch your dreams! And with that don’t forget to give back! I know, I know, seems obvious but believe it or not, NOT always the case!
What platform/tools do you use for your business?
Mostly AWS services, and architecture.
Cloud Computing Services - Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Additionally, check the various CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platforms out there which will help you begin your journey in an organized way.
What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?
I honestly do not have much time anymore to read a book from cover to cover or listen in length to a podcast since launch but do make the time to understand the mechanics of venture capital investment deals and coding. Additionally, I’ve been learning more about SEO. There are quick-read books to discuss the above issues in more practical and layman’s terms to help one understand the verbiage, intent, cautionary advice, etc.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
There is no “right way” or one way to get started! Don’t be fooled by the typical direction one hears they should or must follow to begin a business. You know your situation the best and what resources you have or do not have. From the tools you have available, you can and will find a way to bring your idea to fruition if determined.
Just start… No, I mean it. Just start today! Do something today toward your goal of “starting one day” and you’re already 90% ahead of your competition.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
I’m currently still searching for a Co-Founder (Technical) for CARvengers version 2.0 in addition to independent contractor Sales Associates throughout the country, including Hawaii and Alaska, willing to work as 1099 employees at this time.
If interested, please reach out to, [email protected] and include your name, interest, and best method to connect along with the ideal day & time. Thx!
Where can we go to learn more?
Please check us out at Website and sign up for a FREE Customer Account.
- Car Owners (short explainer video)
- Service Provider (short explainer video)
“Work as you might, Succeed if you do!” (Jim K.)
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