In this blog series we bring you guest posts from folks at YourMechanic. We ask what projects they are working on and what they are passionate about outside YourMechanic. This time, we interviewed Augustine. Augustine is the Senior Director of Business Development and has some valuable insights for people looking to join this field.

Find out more about Augustine's life at YourMechanic:

Can you tell us more about what you do at YourMechanic?

I work for YourMechanic as the Senior Director of Business Development, heading up our enterprise business covering B2B, Fleet, and strategic initiatives. My role is focused on striking partnerships, building out alternative revenue channels, and making sure that both are in a place to help scale our business correctly.

Why did you join YourMechanic?

Two reasons actually: 1) Our People. I initially collaborated with the YourMechanic folks as partners in a prior role. The team I dealt with here oozed passion, purpose, and professionalism; not just towards me but towards the mutual clients we had in common, and that left a lasting impression. 2) Our Product. We are building something this industry hasn’t seen before - from our multifaceted service offering, to our marketplace (Consumer, B2B, Fleet), and with a rocketship trajectory, we’re in the right place to change the auto repair space.

What gets you excited about coming to work every day?

Again, the answer is the people - both internally and externally. From top-down, bottom-up across different functions, our team thinks outside of the box and loves what they do - that keeps our customers happy. In regards to customers - whether consumer or fleet/B2B, they are stepping outside of their comfort zone, trying something new, and giving us a shot to earn their business - seeing that drive and yearn for something different from both ends keeps me coming back to be a part of it.

What's unique about being a Senior Director of Business Development at YourMechanic?

The unique thing about my role, or any for that matter, at YourMechanic is the ability to make an immediate impact in such an intense business. We are a startup, and that means that no matter what role or level you are in, your work and contributions are felt instantly across the company. Throw in logistics, a complicated supply chain, our platform, and thousands of people in the field - many of us here at YourMechanic will end up with some pretty unique stories to tell at happy hour.

What is something you now know about YourMechanic that you didn't know before you joined?

Name me any car year, make, and model and I will probably be able to tell you which oil filter you will need. :)

Do you have advice for anybody who wants to work in your field?

My piece of advice is to immerse yourself, totally, in whatever you have chosen your profession to be and to absorb as much as humanly possible while doing it - even if you don’t want to. Knowing your industry and business is one thing - but having a deep understanding of the nuances of your client’s business gives you a strategic and tactical advantage that allows you to develop solutions that matter. Minute things like shadowing folks in the field and sometimes trying that work yourself are not in your job description, but it lets you make an impact in a major way. Nothing beats being an information sponge, and when you are armed with this knowledge, you’ll be tough to beat and will deliver real value.

We are always looking for great minds. Join us and help us improve!