john harmon shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning john, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Absolutely. With ObiiGO, I learned that timing matters as much as execution. Early on, we scaled too wide before the market and technology were ready. We had to pause, refocus, and go deeper instead of broader. That decision changed everything. Once we rebuilt around new AI infrastructure, the platform’s value multiplied. Sometimes slowing down is what allows you to truly accelerate — and for us, that meant building smarter, not just faster.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m John Harmon, founder and CEO of ObiiGO, the first fully AI-powered, dual-sided automotive repair platform connecting drivers and repair shops in real time. We’re modernizing one of the last offline industries — auto repair — and bringing it into the digital age. For decades, this space has been fragmented, opaque, and painfully slow to evolve. At ObiiGO, we’re using AI to change that, turning guesswork into data, and friction into instant connection.
Our app isn’t just another marketplace — it’s an intelligent ecosystem. Drivers get instant, transparent repair quotes powered by AI; shops get smarter job matching and pricing tools; and our platform learns from every transaction, predicting maintenance before breakdowns happen. It’s like the “Shopify for mechanics” and “Tesla for diagnostics,” built for an industry that’s been running on fumes for 50 years.
But our mission goes beyond convenience — it’s about climate impact and sustainability. In California alone, improved vehicle maintenance has been shown to reduce emissions equivalent to removing over 2.6 million cars from the road for a full year. If every car owner performed timely oil changes and preventive maintenance, the environmental effect would rival taking every car in Los Angeles off the road for six months.
That’s the scale of change we’re driving. Every optimized repair through ObiiGO reduces wasted fuel, prevents breakdowns, and extends the lifespan of vehicles already on the road. We’re proving that smarter technology can make car ownership not only simpler and cheaper — but also cleaner and more sustainable.
ObiiGO isn’t just catching up to the digital age; we’re helping an entire industry leap forward — intelligently, transparently, and responsibly.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I think your parents have something to do with work ethic but, I always admired the people who worked the less glamourous jobs. Those are the people who have always stuck out. The ones who take passion in their work regardless of what it is. Top earning jobs are not all their cracked up to be when it comes to building character. Never get caught up in the money. Find an interest and let it evolve. It will guide you and hopefully it will come out in a profession that is rewarding. Do what you like and you’ll never work again.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think we all have times where we feel like “punting”. I’m hoping these words touches someone. When you try to do things that are hard you’ll have hard days quite a lot. That’s the reality. You have to know that it will challenge you like never before. Get ready before you start and declutter everything and everyone around you who will try to bring you down. Remove yourself from the negative, read about previous people. I study failures more than I study successes. I think people look at the end of the rainbow without realizing you have to figure out how to get on it first. I have hard days several times a week as a founder. As I type this I’m having one today. But, I reverse engineer the issue and start to fix it. Figure out what went wrong and try again. You have failed when you give up. Never give up. I’ll take passion and tenacity over smart any day. Tomorrow will be better than today. Keep your eye on the goal. Take a small break. Don’t rely on random people to know what to tell you. You know what to do. Just do it.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to hitting my goals while helping create successes for everyone around me. I think the value add to other people far exceeds money. Everything I do is to solve a problem for others and add value. It’s 99% of what I do. See a smile from someone you added value to is as good as seeing your app in the app store for the first time.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I think a lot of people live this way today. I surely do. If you’re looking for a pat on the back every time you do something, those are shallow victories and they are not as great as you think. When you walk away and feel good, that’s a victory. That’s know you gave your best. Do it because its the right thing to do. True character is the results when no one is watching. It’s the choice you live with. No fan fare, no bright lights. Just knowing you did the right thing. If you live your life seeking praise you’ll lead a sad life with not joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.obiigo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obiigo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/obiigo
- Twitter: https://x.com/Iwantmyobiigo
- Other: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/obiigo/id1538664139
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.obiigo.obiigo&hl=en-US
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
