For those with the need, having access to a wheelchair accessible vehicle makes a huge difference in independence and quality of life. However, these specialized vehicles often come with a hefty price tag. That fact alone puts them out of reach for the very people who would most benefit. Justin McMinn and his company Mobility of Denver have been working to fill that gap of affordability. Started in 2014 by Justin and his two business partners, the company’s mission has been to provide affordable wheelchair accessible vehicles to individuals and families in need. Here’s the story behind Justin’s unique business and the impact it has had.
Getting Started in the Mobility Vehicle Business
Justin revealed that the idea behind Mobility of Denver was inspired by one of his partner’s, Leo, experiences running an ambulance company called Mile High Ambulance. Leo purchased a 2012 Ford E-450 ambulance from Municibid that he now uses in his ambulance service fleet. After Justin joined mobility industry, they collaborated, and the rest is history. Though they started out selling used trucks and vans, the trio quickly realized the huge demand for lower-priced wheelchair accessible vehicles. This led them to focus their company on providing a range of affordable wheelchair van options. In 2017, they partnered with wheelchair van manufacturer VMI to become an authorized dealer, allowing them to offer both new and used vehicles to meet different budgetary needs. As a national online retailer of used automobiles, Municibid has helped Justin connect people with both affordability and accessibility.
2012 Ford E-450 Ambulance that Leo won on Municibid.
“He just knew a lot about ambulance vehicles and emergency responder trucks and vans. That's kind of what gave us the first idea. And so we started in 2014 in August. The three of us sat down and we had previously, you know, flipped cars and done different odd jobs in the automotive industry.”
“Whenever we would get a used wheelchair accessible vehicle in, that wasn't $30,000, you know, we were selling some of them in the early days, $10,000, $15,000. I mean, we just had such a huge influx of leads of people being like, hey, I need this. I've been looking everywhere for something like this. And so we would sell these, you know, inexpensive wheelchair accessible vehicles to people that had no other option.” - Justin McMinn
Justin McMinn, General Manager of Mobility of Denver
2016 Honda Odyssey EX Mobility Handicap Van from Mobility of Denver
The Impact of Providing Affordable Mobility
For Justin, the most rewarding part of the business is seeing the impact felt by customers. These stories reinforce the importance of his team’s work, and prove that what they do is truly life-changing. Over the years, certain stories have stood out as especially powerful.
"We had just a very down and out veteran, his family life had been affected by sickness, and he had lost his wife...We went through like five or six different scenarios, trying to figure everything out. We finally found the vehicle that would work for him, finally figured out that he had a couple of trade-ins...Customer just starts crying, right? He's like, ‘this is exactly what I need.’ This is over like a couple months span too. So, he didn't even know that this is going to be able to go through. Just seeing his face, like made the day worth it." - Justin McMinn
Challenges and Opportunities in the Mobility Industry
While rewarding, running a business focused on wheelchair accessible vehicles comes with unique challenges. From an insurance perspective, Justin noticed that mobility vehicles exist in a "gray area" since the complex and costly mobility conversions often double the value of the vehicle itself. This requires him to work closely with customers to make sure their vehicle is properly covered.
Moreover, financing can be tricky too. That’s definitely true for those with limited incomes. Mobility of Denver spends a lot of time trying to find lenders and programs to help make vehicles affordable. When working with the veteran, Justin remembers going through “five or six different scenarios” while trying to find a lender.
"There's certain lenders that will lend on mobility vans and certain ones that won't.” - Justin McMinn
Despite the challenges, Justin sees a lot of opportunity in the mobility vehicle industry, especially for entrepreneurs who take a customer-centric approach. By focusing on building relationships and going the extra mile to find solutions, Mobility of Denver has grown steadily over the past 5+ years. In fact, they have doubled their sales each year!
"Whenever we have a customer in front of us, it's like, ‘Hey, you're my best friend. I'm not going to leave you until we get everything that you want to get done accomplished.’”
“In this industry, you just really have to take everyone step-by-step one at a time." - Justin McMinn
2022 Chrysler Voyager LX from Mobility of Denver
The Power of Providing Transportation Independence
Mobility of Denver's story illustrates just how powerful having access to transportation can be for people with disabilities. A wheelchair accessible vehicle is so much more than just a car. Such a machine represents freedom, independence, and the ability to fully engage with family, community, work. and life.
"We just have so many stories about different folks that have been homebound or they had kind of given up on wanting to be able to be more mobile. Now that they have the vehicle that they can get around, things like that."
As Justin and his team continue on their mission, they demonstrate the positive impact a business can make when it combines profit with purpose and keeps the customer at the center of everything they do. Let their story be an inspiration to you and your community today!
