Former Wealth Manager Finds Purpose Helping People With Accessibility Solutions Franchise
A fine wine gets better with age. But the rest of us? Not so much. As we grow older, our needs evolve, and often our ability to meet them independently diminishes. Yet despite being one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. population, adults 65 and older remain among the most overlooked and underserved.
S&P Global estimates that one in five Americans will be at least 65 by 2030, accounting for 20.7% of the population — and creating an especially fertile market. For strategic entrepreneurs, that presents opportunity. San Diego-based Bruce Patterson (above with family) is well aware of this growing demographic. As a franchise owner of Next Day Access, a business devoted to helping older adults age in place, he’s doing his best to serve it.
Next Day Access helps the 65-plus population and people with disabilities to safely move around in their own homes. “Disability can affect anyone at any time,” says Patterson. “We provide essential mobility and accessibility solutions to individuals from all walks of life, including veterans, seniors and local businesses.”
Next Day Access installs wheelchair ramps, grab bars, in-home elevators and a wide range of lifts to help individuals get out of swimming pools and beds, and to navigate stairs. Patterson himself understands mobility challenges. “My six knee surgeries exposed me to difficulties that some people have to deal with on a daily basis.”
More than just installers, the franchise’s specialized expertise benefits its older customers. Grab bars, for example, are only helpful if they’re installed securely in the right place. Next Day Access teams receive ongoing training on products and installations, so equipment functions as intended and improves quality of life.
The Right Fit
Formerly a wealth manager and author, Patterson opened his Next Day Access business in 2024. “The combination of strong brand recognition, proven systems, extensive training and financial opportunity made it the right fit for us,” he says. Next Day Access is part of the Best Life Brands family, and Patterson has felt, as he puts it, “the power of that community.”
“The company’s systems are strong,” he says, “and the support and collaboration from our fellow franchisees have been an unexpected benefit.”
Inclusion is central to the business. Every day, Patterson’s team works with an under-prioritized customer demographic, and he also embraces diversity on his staff. “San Diego is a diverse region,” he says. “Our team is a direct reflection of the various racial and ethnic groups within the community we serve.”
While diversity and inclusion are obvious components of a positive community culture, Patterson believes that multicultural collaboration is also good for business. “By bringing together individuals from different backgrounds, franchises can better understand and serve varied local markets,” he says.“That leads to higher customer satisfaction and a stronger bottom line.”
A Growing Market
The accessibility and mobility market is expanding rapidly. It’s expected to reach $29.8 billion in 2030, up from $18.3 billion in 2022. Becoming a Next Day Access franchisee presents a relatively low-risk way to enter that space.
While mechanically inclined franchisees are welcome, knowing your way around a toolbox isn’t a requirement. The company sets franchisees up with approved manufacturers and a list of required (and optional) products. Training and field support ensure teams can install equipment safely and properly, while marketing and sales support help drive growth. Initial investments can range from $176,225 to $352,050, depending on the size of the territory. Owners can work from home and save on the overhead of a physical storefront.
“Our affiliation with Best Life Brands increases our brand awareness and market presence,” says Patterson. “We benefit from robust training, marketing support and significant purchasing power with approved vendors, which reduces our inventory and supply costs.”
Even better, the brand helps people stay in their homes and maintain their independence. Next Day Access allows franchisees to enter a fast-growing, recession-proof market in a feel-good industry. Now that kind of job satisfaction never gets old.
Best Life Brands
Next Day Access is part of Best Life Brands, a family of franchise companies dedicated to helping people maintain their health, independence and quality of life. Its portfolio also includes ComForCare, CarePatrol, Blue Moon Estate Sales and Boost Home Healthcare. Together, the brands serve individuals and families through nearly 800 locations offering home care, senior living guidance, estate sale services, home health care and accessibility solutions.
Learn more about the Next Day Access franchise opportunity.
