By Sean Delaney
Nikzad (Nik) Sediqullah migrated to Canada in 2016.
And in six short years, the innovative entrepreneur has changed the tire and automotive service in emery and beyond.
Like many newcomers to the country, Nikzad struggled in his first years in his new home.
“I was looking for a business to run,” the former Afghanistan resident said. He holds a Masters in Business Administration and was a lecturer in business schools before he came to Canada.
“I started selling cell phones and accessories, but then I started selling vehicle tires. In 2020, I wanted to find a spot for tire installations, but rents were too high in the city. So, then I started to think about a mobile service.
Nikzad said that he bought everything he could to open a mobile tire service business with the last dollar he had in his pocket. Installations, repair, and service, all in your driveway, at your work, where you needed it to be.
He launched in 2020, amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and everything changed.
“People are busy, they don’t have the time because they are working, and they have one to two days off, so they want to spend time with family and friends. We target these customers and try to help them where they need it.” Everything was totally changed in the next eight months,” he said.
In 2021, he created another mobile service centre for a friend who was an employee, and now he covers the other half of the city. Two more friends have come on and now run a service centre that looks after Brampton and Mississauga areas.
And they have launched the app, Driveway. Like Uber or Uber eats for small car maintenance, Nikzad said it is for tires, flat tires, and detailing.
“If you have a flat tire, you don’t have to tow the car. Technicians can even download the app and join. And then, services can be requested and offered throughout areas covered in the app. This is something new in Canada, I believe.”
Driveway Mobile is available 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with mobile services open later.
“If I am not working, the other guys are working. We will look after you.”
Driveway - Mobile Tire Installation can be found online at: https://driveway.llc
They are located at: 175 Wendell Ave, Toronto
Phone them at: 647-575-4790
The Driveway App is available at the Apple App store at Drivewayllc and Google Play at Driveway.