According to the 2017 IBISWorld report “Auto Mechanics in the U.S.,” auto repair is a $63.8 billion industry, and that figure continues to rise.
Americans own more cars than ever before, and these cars need mechanics. Because of the expense required to maintain cars, it is important that consumers are able to find mechanics that they trust to perform any needed repairs.
Jacob Koelln created his company, CheckNGN, in order to connect consumers to a vetted and trusted network of mechanics, allowing them to post projects and accept bids from these mechanics and select the one that seems like the best fit.
Name: Jacob Koelln
Age: 33
City you live in: Minneapolis
City of birth: Appleton, Minn.
High school attended: John Marshall High School, Rochester, Minn.
College attended: Augsburg College
Name of company: CheckNGN
Website: www.checkNGN.com
Business Start Date: February 2017
Number of Employees: 3 founders
Number of Customers: 20+ repair shops and 200+ users
Q&A
Q. What led to this point?
A. I consider myself a thinker, solver, and entrepreneur who happened to be working in a corporate setting most of my professional career. I grew up in Rochester, son of Rev. Thomas Koelln and Dr. Rebecca Koelln who always encouraged me to follow what I believe in. I started my corporate work after graduating Augsburg College with a degree in Business Management and Management Information Systems. I have worked for various Fortune 500 companies in the Twin Cities area including Target Corp., United Health Group, and Blue Cross & Blue Shield — all of which have motivated me positively to start my own business. My motivation behind the mission of CheckNGN really resonates with me, and it gives me that “all in” feeling that is difficult to re-create outside of true entrepreneurship.
Q. What is your business?
A. CheckNGN is an automotive service iOS app that connects users with local independent repair shops. We screen (or vet) shops, and then invite them to join our private network of independent repair professionals. Once they’re part of our network, they’re then eligible to receive bids, which allows them to make a connection. The business model is predicated on a two-way interactive bidding platform that creates transparency in price, quality, and communication of a car service or repair need. Although price is certainly a benefit, the real value comes from the interaction between a car owner and repair shop. By increasing communication and being transparent about the process, users not only get a fair price, but they also develop a lasting relationship with a repair shop that they can count on.
Q. Where do you go for help when you need it?
A. I’ve been blessed to have found some very helpful and purposeful mentors throughout my career, such as Aaron Eggert and David Jacobsen. Aaron and David are local businessmen, and I’ve had a personal friendship with both even before CheckNGN. We also have a very strong core team of founders. We are the classic “sum is greater than the whole of its parts” type of team. Strong collaborators and actionable individuals. Tony Manelli is the “car guy” who has extensive experience in the automotive space and how the car business likes to operate. He’s a go-to founder when it comes to car problems needing to be solved. Mike Chis has 20+ years in the corporate development world and…