Fresh ideas. Familiar faces. Full speed ahead. Meet the people, explore the tools, and see what’s happening in the OktoRocket community this fall.
01 / CEO Snapshot
Full Speed Ahead with OktoRocket
From new innovations to big plans ahead, our CEO shares what’s driving OktoRocket forward—and a few things you might not know about him.
“Smooth is fast, and fast is smooth.”
A conversation with Jay
What are you most excited about for OktoRocket right now?
You might think what excites me most are our new products, like Ask Winston, our AI executive summary that helps owners know where to focus each day, or OktoAssist, our overflow and after-hours voice agent that makes sure you get booked appointments. Those are great, and they'll help our clients grow their businesses. But what I'm most excited about are the things that don't get social posts or fancy names, and that clients may never even hear about: the SPEED, INNOVATION, and DISCIPLINE of OktoRocket.
Because we're a registered FCC VoIP provider and own our platform end-to-end across all our solutions, we can move fast and innovate quickly, and that's exactly what we're doing. But moving fast has its risks and challenges, which is why we've also built discipline into how we operate and grow. We're growing quickly across the US (including Alaska and Hawaii) and Canada. Growing quickly requires serious discipline, strategy, and commitment to invest in your business and systems, and that's what we're doing.
It's like racing: smooth is fast, and fast is smooth. If you go fast and it's not smooth, you wear out your car, your tires, and your longevity. We're focused on going fast and smooth, so we keep performing and delivering solutions that help our clients solve real problems and keep the wheels spinning on their business.
What can customers look forward to in the coming months?
Without upsetting my product team by giving anything away, I can say we're focused on owning communication, both across our clients' businesses and in their connections with their customers. We'll keep developing stronger, more complete offerings in this space that complete our mission statement: "Help our clients connect with their customers, cut through the noise, and seize the opportunity."
Second, we're creating more flexibility in how clients use OktoRocket, with packages, services, and solutions that fit any shop, no matter where you are in your ownership journey. We believe OktoRocket can really help businesses, and that means making it available to more of them in ways that fit how each one works.
Last, integrations. We're developing some very strong business partnerships and integrating with the solutions our clients use most. We keep hearing, "I'm in OktoRocket all day, and I don't want to go anywhere else." So integrating with the tools they rely on for a seamless experience makes perfect sense. But see above: smooth is fast, fast is smooth. We need to do it in a way that's thoughtful and impactful.
How does customer feedback shape what we work on next?
It's incredibly valuable. When we release new features, we sometimes tag the specific clients who gave us the idea or requested it. Their feedback helps us tremendously. We also have to stay disciplined and true to our mission and vision, but feedback helps fill in gaps where we may not be focused.
And let's face it, business is changing for shops. Services, applications, and customer communication are all adapting to new technology and new buying behaviors. Hearing from our large group of users keeps us in touch with the industry.
What's a challenge repair shops face that you're especially focused on solving?
There's one thing we hear all the time during demos: "So I can get rid of all these other applications and just use you guys?!"
Managing all those platforms and systems is exhausting and expensive for an owner. Add up the fees, the usage, and the time spent going back and forth, and it burns them out. When they can get everything in one place, we don't just fit into their tech stack. We become their tech stack. And it's repeatable: got another shop? Drop us in, and you're done.
That's what OktoRocket has always been focused on. We're the command center that keeps you focused and your business performing, giving owners and managers insight into their people, their customers, and their business, all in one place.
What's something about you that customers might be surprised to learn?
I'm the 2023 WERA Mid Central and Southeast Senior Heavyweight Superbike champion, riding an Aprilia RSV4. I'm at home dragging a knee on track at 100 mph. I love speed and anything motorsport. I've recently retired from motorcycle racing, but I still drive fast cars and get out to time attack events with my son in his C6 Corvette.
A lot of OktoRocket employees are car people too. It runs in our blood. That's why we're excited to announce our 2027 sponsorship of Jackson McLerran for his debut in the NASCAR Truck Series. We know many of our clients are car people and racing fans, and we're excited to support an up-and-coming racer and bring our clients into that experience.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I try to run a structured day, but first, coffee (black). Then I go through my daily routine of monitoring the numbers and metrics that matter most to our business and to keeping our clients happy. Next comes personal connection: checking in with my executive team to get a pulse on how the business is doing.
From there, much of my week is broken into the major projects and initiatives in our strategic annual plan. These are critical. Every year, we plan backwards from our year-end goals to define what it will take to achieve them. That planning gives us the strategic initiatives and actions we have to execute during the year.
Yes, we pivot, but we pivot in ways that align to the plan and the goal. So most of my days, weeks, and months are broken into bite-size pieces of work that have to get done. And maybe there's time in there for lunch. Maybe…
What would you like to say to the customers who have been part of our journey?
Thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your business. We're grateful for your feedback and engagement. You tell us where we've fallen short so we can improve, and you tell us when we knock it out of the park. Keep it coming! Awesome things are ahead!
What's your favorite fall activity?
Driving. I'll often take the long way to work or skip exits on the way home just to drive. It clears my head, helps me think, and is therapeutic for my soul. The trees changing color, the crisp air, and the roar of a V8 are pretty perfect to me.
Are you dressing up for Halloween this year? If so, what's your costume?
No plans, and if I do, I'm definitely not telling marketing, because I know they'll take lots of pictures and I'll regret it!
I do have some favorite characters, though I'm not sure I could pull them off. There's Mr. Incredible from The Incredibles (no, I'm not wearing tights), and Ulysses Everett McGill from O Brother, Where Art Thou? (but I'm bald and don't use Dapper Dan pomade). Maybe I could pull off Master Chief from Halo. He wears a helmet, so no one would know it's me!
03 / Community Outreach
OktoRocket Gives Back
Giving back is important to all of us at OktoRocket. We’re proud to call Middle Tennessee home, and we believe being part of a community means showing up for it.
That’s why members of our team spent Saturday, July 25, volunteering at The Well Outreach, a food bank in Spring Hill, Tennessee. It was a rewarding day filled with teamwork, laughter, and the opportunity to support local families. Our team enjoyed the experience so much that we’re heading back to volunteer again in October!
The Well Outreach supports families experiencing food insecurity through food pantries, mobile food distributions, weekend meal bags for local students, and family coaching—all while treating each person with hope, dignity, and care.
Get involved with The Well04 / OktoAssist Poll
Have you tried OktoAssist yet?
Here’s where the community stands
We’re here to help. Contact our team to get set up.
05 / Shop of the Month
Euro Car Doctor
Irvine & Costa Mesa, California
Specializing in European auto repair, Euro Car Doctor combines dealership-level expertise with a personal approach to customer service. With two Southern California locations and a team of highly trained Master Technicians, they focus on delivering a premium repair experience.
For owner Tony Perez, that experience starts with the people behind the service. His vision centers on bringing together talented professionals and creating an environment where they can do their best work. That commitment connects technical expertise with attentive service, giving customers a trusted alternative to the dealership.
We’re proud to spotlight Euro Car Doctor and their dedication to the customers and communities they serve.
“In a world where going to the dealership is no longer your best option, we have created an environment where only the best talent can thrive to give you the absolute best service experience possible!”Tony Perez · Owner, Euro Car DoctorVisit Euro Car Doctor
06 / Customer Success
Meet Cristina Pascoal, Your New Partner in Success
We’re excited to welcome Cristina Pascoal to OktoRocket as our new Customer Success Specialist!
Cristina joins us with several years of SaaS Customer Success and Sales experience from companies including KnowBe4, Smartsheet, and Google. She loves diving into data, improving processes, and helping customers overcome roadblocks so they can reach their goals.
So, what exactly does a Customer Success Specialist do? While Sales helps customers choose the right solution and Support assists when technical issues arise, Cristina’s role is focused on the bigger picture. She will work proactively with our customers to understand their goals, share helpful guidance, identify opportunities, and ensure they get lasting value from their partnership with OktoRocket.
Think of Cristina as your customer success co-pilot. She is here to help you get started with confidence, make the most of our solutions, and keep moving forward. Most importantly, she will listen to your feedback, advocate for your needs, and celebrate your wins along the way.
Cristina also brings a global perspective to the team, having lived on three different continents! When she isn’t helping customers succeed, she enjoys discovering great food spots and exploring hiking trails, so recommendations are always welcome.
Ready to say hello? Schedule an OktoRocket Success Meet & Greet with Cristina using the link below. It’s a relaxed opportunity to get acquainted, discuss your goals, and explore how we can best support you.
10 / Giveaway
Win a NASCAR Truck Series VIP Experience
We’re proud to sponsor Jackson McLerran! Enter for your chance to win a VIP experience for two at Nashville Superspeedway, including race tickets, a two-night hotel stay, round-trip flights, and transportation to and from the race.
June 4, 2027
Nashville Superspeedway
No purchase necessary. See official rules.
Until next time
Keep your shop moving forward.
More stories, ideas, and updates from the OktoRocket community.
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