Jake The Plumber
It all started when my cousin and best friend Jake and became roommates in college. While I went to school and “focused” on my studies, Jake started a new job as a plumber. When Jake first started his plumbing job, he was thrilled about the opportunity to help people with their problems and build a career in the industry. Plumbing seemed straightforward: fix the issues, make people happy, and go home satisfied. However, the reality of the job quickly set in. Jake spent a significant portion of his day on the road, driving from one side of the city to the other, often getting stuck in traffic for hours at a time. This wasn’t just a minor inconvenience; it meant wasted time and energy that could have been spent helping more customers and making more money.
The most frustrating part was when customers decided not to proceed with the work after Jake had already spent all that time traveling to their location. These no-shows and cancellations were a massive drain on his time and morale. Jake often came home exhausted, not from the physical labor of helping people with their “shitty” problems, but from the inefficiencies of his work schedule.
A Missed Connection
One day, while chatting with my neighbor, they mentioned they needed a pipe fixed. Knowing Jake was a plumber, I immediately recommended they call his company. Jake lived right next door, so it seemed like a perfect match. A few days later, I checked back with my neighbor, expecting to hear that Jake had resolved their issue. To my surprise, they told me that the company couldn’t send Jake but had arranged for someone else to come the next day. This was ridiculous — Jake could have easily stopped by on his way home and helped them that same day. Not only did it upset me but it highlighted a significant flaw in the current system.
The Lightbulb Moment
This incident got me thinking: “Why isn’t there a way for customers to find and hire plumbers who are nearby and available?” It seemed like a straightforward solution to a common problem. With technology advancing rapidly and on-demand services like Uber for rides, Amazon for products and AirBNB for rentals, why was there no efficient way to connect local service professionals with customers?
Diving into Market Research
I decided to dive deep into the existing market solutions to see if something similar already existed. Here’s what I found:
- Search Engines and Phonebooks: The traditional method of looking up businesses and making multiple phone calls until you find someone available. This process was time-consuming and inefficient.
- Lead Generation Platforms: Websites like HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, Thumbtack, and Porch offered a more streamlined approach. Homeowners would fill out a form detailing their service needs and receive a list of available businesses. However, this still required waiting for businesses to contact you, which wasn’t ideal for urgent needs. Plus you still had to decide who would be the best from whoever called.
- Gig Economy Apps: Platforms like TaskRabbit and Handy provided a way to hire people for small tasks and side gigs. While these apps were useful for minor jobs, they weren’t designed for professional services like plumbing, electrical work, or HVAC maintenance.
The Birth of OneBook Pro
Realizing the gap in the market, we set out to create OneBook Pro. Our vision was to build an app that would revolutionize how people find and hire local service professionals. The goal was to connect local pros directly with customers in their community, reducing travel time, increasing efficiency, and ensuring a higher quality of service.
Key Features of OneBook Pro
- Professional Profiles: Service professionals can create detailed profiles showcasing their skills, qualifications, and customer reviews. This transparency builds trust and helps customers make informed decisions.
- Real-Time Availability: Customers can see when professionals are available and book appointments that fit their schedules. This feature eliminates the back-and-forth communication and speeds up the booking process.
- Local Focus: By prioritizing proximity, the app reduces travel time for professionals, allowing them to serve more customers efficiently. It also fosters a sense of community by connecting neighbors with local tradespeople.
- Trust and Reliability: Customers can read reviews and ratings before hiring a professional, ensuring they choose someone who is reliable and highly recommended by others.
Our Mission and Vision
Inspired by Jake’s experiences, OneBook Pro was created to bridge the gap between local service providers and the community. Our mission is to empower tradespeople to run successful small businesses while providing quality services to their neighbors. We envision a future where finding and hiring a local professional is as easy and reliable as ordering a ride on Uber or a product on Amazon.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, we are excited about the impact OneBook Pro will have on communities. By fostering local connections and building relationships, we are not only improving how services are delivered but also strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods. We believe that by empowering local professionals and making their services more accessible, we can create a more connected and efficient community.
Join the Movement
If you are a professional or know someone who is, join us on this journey. Help us make OneBook Pro the go-to platform for finding and hiring local service professionals. Download the app or visit our websiteto get started. Together, we can create a more connected and efficient community.
Thanks for reading and being a part of our story.
