How Army Vets and Oply Co-Founders Lindsey and Gabe Chrismon are Making Home Management Stress-Free
Through AI, Oply identifies what your home needs and connects you with trusted local pros.
In many respects, preventive maintenance is the backbone of military readiness. By catching issues before they become problems, servicing regularly, and replacing parts on schedule, America’s fighting forces ensure that their equipment performs flawlessly through every phase of the operation. Start to finish. These same principles are exactly what inspired Army vets Lindsey and Gabe Chrismon to build their AI-driven and proactive home management app Oply, and make life easier for homeowners, nationwide.
Oply is Giving Away $10K to One Tennessee Homeowner
Right now, Oply is running a $10,000 cash giveaway, open only to Tennessee homeowners. As a runner-up prize, we’re also stepping up to offer $1,000 in GOVX credit just in time for the holiday season. All in all, it’s a win-win for anyone who enters.
“Obviously it’s great to spread awareness about the product,” said Gabe. “But when you dive deeper, 85% of homeowners have something in their home that needs to be done. They’re delaying it and deferring it because of financial constraints. Our goal with this giveaway is just to give back a little bit.”
To enter, all you have to do is download Oply and post a job.
“We really want them to get into the product, see how easy it is, and then maybe get some work done,” said Gabe. “There’s a bit of virality to it, let’s say you enter the giveaway and post a job, you’ll receive an email with a unique referral link, and if you share that out and one of your referrals wins, you’ll also win $10,000.”
A Foundation Forged Through Service
Graduating from the same West Point class in 2014, Gabe served nearly seven years as an Infantry Officer, while Lindsey flew Apaches and Little Birds as an Aviator in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment for the better part of a decade. Through their years of service, they gained invaluable experience and intricate knowledge of the private sector, allowing an entrepreneurial path to be set for the creation of Oply.
“For me personally, in order to be successful in any business, you have to have grit,” Gabe told GOVX. “And that’s exactly what makes you successful in the Army. Whether that’s getting through basic training or becoming a Ranger. The mentality of never quitting is vital, because most days an entrepreneurship is a challenge.”
On the Topic of Tactical Patience
In the military, you don’t always have the time and resources to sit on a decision. You have to make the best call you can at the moment based on the information you have at your disposal. That’s called tactical patience. For Gabe, there’s a direct link to growing a business.
“It’s knowing that you have limited information, but you can make a decision, because it is quite literally life or death,” added Gabe. “While it may not be life or death here, there are so many unknowns that you must be comfortable with your ability to make the correct decision, right? Because that’s how companies succeed or fail.”
Smart Solutions for Military Homeowners
As many GOVX members know firsthand, juggling home ownership while on active duty comes with its fair share of challenges—some expected, others that catch you completely off guard. It’s not unheard of to be deployed for months at a time, or subject to training rotation, or having to deal with a spouse gone. Whether it’s your home or rental properties, or both, unplanned issues and repairs are likely to occur that can cost you thousands of dollars.
“Having a resource that is accurately predicting home maintenance and serving as the expert is especially needed in this community,” elaborated Gabe. “This was a personal pain that we dealt with as we moved all over the country. You want to be in a position to act proactively so that the expenses don’t add up. “
Oply leverages AI and predictive algorithms to monitor your home’s key systems, alerting you before problems arise and connecting you with trusted local professionals to fix them fast. So even if you’re facing deployment, you can make sure your home is in good hands.
Making Home Ownership and Maintenance Effortless
It’s somewhat of a hard truth, but the fact is, the journey of owning a home doesn’t stop when you receive your keys. It comes with its own set of unique responsibilities and for most of us, a laundry list of things we don’t know how to do.
“You should not have to be an expert on your HVAC system, your gutters, your water heater, your roof, your insurance policy, your deed, your mortgage documents,” added Gabe. “A home is the largest investment most Americans will make in their lifetimes. But there’s no permit, no help, no dashboard like there is in your $30,000 car to tell you what to do.”
In some ways, it very much feels like accomplishing the American Dream, but getting hit with a truckload of caveats. The idea is to celebrate the win and protect your greatest asset in full.
“That’s our goal. Our dream is to be able to create software that serves as your expert on your specific home,” said Gabe. “That way, you don’t have to worry about your major investment falling apart because of what you don’t know. And in most cases, that’s understandably a lot.”
AI IN ACTION
Lindsey and Gabe’s first post-service endeavor in the home services restoration space proved educational from the vantage point that they were able to talk to homeowners by the thousands and the common links that are costing them thousands of dollars annually.
"The through line was that no one knew what to do and when to do it, as it pertained to preventing damage from happening,” said Gabe. “I can tell you how many tens of thousands of dollars could have and should have been prevented with a little bit of expertise and preventive maintenance.”
With AI integrating into society at the frenetic pace it is today, the pair saw a software and technology solution for homeowners that would pay immediate dividends. As an example of the Oply’s weather integrations, even a sudden freak hailstorm can be handled.
“In case of a hailstorm, our AI agents will scan and understand your insurance policy,” detailed Gabe. “Based on your policy and your specific roof, we know that if you don’t get a damage inspection in the next 72 hours, then you’re going to have to come out of pocket. So, Oply will let you know a storm is about to hit and give you a list of recommended options for inspection, that way, your insurance company pays for it.”
This is how Oply is bringing awareness and transparency to the home ownership game. It also helps that they have the fastest product on the market for hiring a pro. The process takes just a matter of seconds, and once you upload a picture of the issue, the AI does the rest of the work.
“It creates the job ticket, sends it to the pro, and then you’re in charge of hiring them or not,” explained Gabe. “We’re giving the homeowner who may not know about insurance, the confidence and power to get somewhere in there fast. Our promise is that they’re going to get the highest quality professional.”