Derek Naidoo is the Founder and Owner of USA GoMobile, a company that offers convenient mobile tire, oil change, and battery services to customers at their preferred locations. Since its inception in 2018, GoMobile has expanded to 48 franchises, overcoming challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, and establishing a significant presence in the automotive service industry. Originally from South Africa, Derek has spent over 35 years in the automotive field, specializing in engine management systems and diagnostic tools before turning to entrepreneurship.

In this episode…

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving to meet changing consumer demands for convenience and efficiency. How are mobile tire services transforming the way people maintain their vehicles?

According to Derek Naidoo, CEO of USA GoMobile, mobile tire services are revolutionizing vehicle maintenance by bringing convenience directly to customers. The company offers on-site tire replacements, oil changes, and battery services at locations convenient for the customer, including homes, offices, golf courses, and even hotel parking lots. This approach not only saves time for individual consumers, but also caters to the growing last-mile delivery sector by servicing fleet vehicles that provide these convenient delivery services.

On this episode of Gain Traction, Mike Edge welcomes Derek for a conversation about the rise of mobile tire services, the challenges of growing a franchise during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the logistics of operating a mobile tire business. They discuss the types of customers served, the design of specialized service vehicles, and the various challenges faced in different weather conditions. Derek also shares insights on franchisee profiles and the future of automotive maintenance.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [01:41] Derek Naidoo details his 35-year journey in the automotive industry
• [02:47] How USA GoMobile thrived through COVID-19 challenges
• [04:08] The diverse demographics of GoMobile’s customer base
• [06:29] GoMobile's unique franchise model and operational insights
• [12:44] Three types of GoMobile franchisee profiles
• [14:31] How GoMobile partners with non-tire shops for mutual referrals
• [21:53] Derek explains his mantra: “Measure to manage for business success”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Derek Naidoo on LinkedIn
• USA GoMobile 
• Ryan Ragan on Linkedin 
• Automotive Service and Tire Alliance
• Mike Edge on LinkedIn
• Tread Partners

Quotable Moments: 

• "I've been involved in the automotive industry pretty much my whole life, almost 35 years, focused in engine management systems design and development."
• "COVID was both ways. People didn't want to go to tire shops, but we couldn't get vehicles. Huge demand, yet challenging."
• "We're selling convenience. Society's moving towards services delivered to their homes instead of performing mundane tasks."
• "We need to be able to measure what we do. If you can't measure, you can't manage. What we know, we can manage."
• "We have three types of franchisees: tire shops, industry entrepreneurs, and investors looking to expand their reach."

Action Steps: 

1. Embrace convenience as a core offering: Address the growing demand for convenience in society, making your business more appealing to customers who prefer not to spend time traveling to a shop.
2. Develop strategic partnerships: Create beneficial partnerships with mechanical shops and non-tire-selling auto services to offer a complete customer solution. 
3. Adapt to market challenges with flexible solutions: Plan for and implement logistical strategies to overcome challenges like inventory management and technician availability.
4. Utilize technology for operational efficiency: Implement technology solutions such as e-commerce platforms and mobile apps for scheduling and operations management. 
5. Focus on measuring and managing performance: Adopt a data-driven approach to track performance metrics and make informed decisions.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Tread Partners. 

At Tread Partners, we provide digital marketing for multi-location tire dealers and auto repair shops. 

By using our strategy, branding, and marketing services, we help shops sell more tires and put more cars in bays.

We’ve helped companies like Action Gator Tire, Colony Tire and Service, and Ulmer’s Auto Care Center bring extreme growth in paid leads, ROI, and searches. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Visit www.treadpartners.com or email [email protected] to learn more.