Oregon and Michigan Franchisees Enhance Mobility, One Customer at a Time
Amramp’s wheelchair ramps and stairlifts help senior citizens and other mobility-challenged Americans navigate their homes. That’s what makes a day in the life of an Amramp franchise owner so rewarding, according to two longtime franchisees.
“We make a difference in people’s lives,” says franchisee Dave Yoast, who previously worked in sales and design for a roof truss manufacturer. “Lots of products make life easier or simpler by saving time or reducing labor, but our business and products truly enhance the quality of life for our clients. They can now get to doctor’s appointments, visit friends, or just get some fresh air.” He opened his Silverton, Ore., location in 2008.
Meeting Customers’ Needs
Larry Erlandson, a Holland, Mich., franchisee since 2006, agrees. “We provide a quality product, meeting an urgent need with a quick turnaround.” His ownership has an interesting back story: “The franchise first started as an earned income business venture for the nonprofit organization where I was the president, chief operating officer and executive director. I then bought it from the nonprofit organization as a privately owned business venture.” The brand appealed to him because it serves “an unmet need.”
And that need is growing. The Census Bureau found that 55.8 million Americans, or 16.8% of the population, were 65 or older in 2020, and that number increases with the aging of 73 million baby boomers. In addition, many Americans deal with disabilities. Last July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 25% of America’s 258 million-plus adults reported having a disability in 2022, the last year for which reporting is available.
A Day in the Life of an Amramp Franchise Owner
So what’s it like being an Amramp franchise owner? Yoast typically starts by going over that day’s jobs with his installation crew. “They load the truck and are out for the day. At some point I check in with our outside salesman and see his new orders, what clients he has scheduled to meet with, or any problems we need to solve. We have another part-time salesman who also does our marketing, so we’re always in touch throughout his day. Beyond that, most of my time is spent on administrative tasks like accounting and scheduling as well as meeting with clients occasionally.”
Erlandson outlines his challenges as “responding to leads that come from various sources, job evaluations and assessments, installation and removals, and preparing quotes. Bookkeeping and billing” are also part of his daily routine.
Challenges spice up their workdays. Erlandson’s are “those that most small businesses encounter – marketing and competition.” Yoast cites logistics and appropriate staffing, “making sure we have the right pieces in the right places. It can be as simple as making sure all the correct material is on the truck for an installation or ensuring that we are addressing all the needs of our clients. This can involve juggling our installation schedule to accommodate an urgent need or having the manpower to see potential clients in a timely manner.”
Praise for the Amramp Franchise
Franchisor support has pleased both men. “I always wanted to own a business but never knew what or how,” Yoast says. “This franchise model worked perfectly with my skills and personality. It has been a blessing, and I feel very fortunate every day. We have also turned it into a family business as my son is now heavily involved.”
“Amramp has been great to work with,” Erlandson chimes in. “The franchise model has worked well for me. The business and products meet very real and critical needs that give people freedom to still enjoy life even though they are experiencing changes in their mobility because of a variety of circumstances.”
Scaling and Work-Life Balance
Neither franchisee foresees adding territories but is scaling in other ways. Erlandson explains that his territory, “most of Michigan is locked in through the franchise agreement, but we’re always looking to do a better job of marketing throughout that territory. We have also added product lines to expand our business.”
Yoast says “we’re always looking at growth opportunities with new products and different markets, and we’ve grown revenue almost every year. However, at this point we are fairly stable – fairly saturated in the market – and I don’t expect any huge changes. We may make a dramatic change in the future but don’t have any specific plans at this time.”
The men say their franchises allow time for personal interests. “I enjoy spending time outdoors exploring new places, doing as much mountain biking as possible – which is never enough,” Yoast says. Erlandson is an involved husband, father and grandfather, and also a runner. “My partner is a young family man establishing himself as a small business owner,” he adds.
Click here for details about Amramp franchise opportunities across the U.S.
