In other words, they were car people who built a diagnostic tool in a garage for other car people.
Community as a product-development engine OBDeleven’s earliest growth came largely through the automotive community, as our founders predicted it would.
Without downplaying the necessity of wooing the serious car enthusiasts and the manufacturers, continued growth depended on making a product initially designed for these enthusiasts work for everyday drivers.
Reaching mainstream customers requires awareness, clear positioning, distribution, and an experience that demands very little learning from the user.
What bootstrapped growth teaches founders Bootstrapping often involves doing things the hard way, especially in heavily regulated and security-sensitive industries.