NEWSROOM

The mechanics of start-up My Auto Shop

22 July 2020

In the age of disruption, one of the contemporary trends in business is the growth of start-ups focused on developing digital tools to empower consumers to source the best, cheapest or most convenient services and products. We have Airbnb for accommodation, Uber for taxi services and now we have My Auto Shop, which is set to put New Zealand car owners in the proverbial driver’s seat for easily finding the best car service in town. The website allows users to review and compare options for servicing their car, taking into consideration factors like price, location and ability to service their particular model of car. Users can then schedule the car to be picked up from their home or office to be taken to the selected workshop.

My Auto Shop was founded by the former New Zealand GM of Uber Eats Andy Bowie, alongside three current Finance, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering students of the University of Auckland – Sasha Mates, Paul Rassie and Vincent Wong. Their combined combination of experience, invention and energy has allowed the company to grow rapidly. In six months they have gone from sketching ideas on a whiteboard to building the biggest online mechanic booking platform in New Zealand. They are in partnership with over 100 MTA approved workshops across New Zealand, have hundreds of e-scooter powered drivers and enthusiastic responses from their first customers.

At the heart of My Auto Shop is the promise to relieve the pain point of overburdened modern living where chores such as taking a car to be serviced can be inconvenient and stressful. The team behind My Auto Shop have first hand experience of the hardships of juggling, balancing working on their start-up with their final year of study. Neither have suffered with business booming and all three students getting straight A+ grades in their latest exams. They’ve built their company on flexible hours by alternating working two days a week each to cover customer, garage and driver enquiries in real time, and then working on bigger projects in the evenings and weekends. Paul says “at times I felt like I was running before I could walk, but every decision we made we’ve learnt from and that growth has made our ‘part-time gig’ not feel like work at all.”

Each of the students brings a different set of technical skills and capabilities to the team, but all three possess an entrepreneurial mindset. Sasha has entered the Velocity Innovation Challenge twice over the last two years and has further developed his passion for entrepreneurship through his role as Growth and Operations Manager.

Vincent, who handles more of the technical side of the business, says “University teaches you the theory, but being able to work on real life problems, especially on a start-up, has allowed me to learn a whole new set of skills that are invaluable. The key is to never stop learning, and always find new things that you can be passionate about in your professional field.”

With their proof of concept tested and well and truly proven, the team is ready to zoom ahead with My Auto Shop and they are expanding further, launching in all of New Zealand’s major cities.

To experience the convenience of My Auto Shop, use the code TRYMYAUTOSHOP for $25 off your next service or WoF! – www.myautoshop.co.nz