Vinny and Diane Baratta’s love story is movie script material. They first crossed paths in 2015 when Vinny fixed the mobility scooter of Diane’s late husband in the pouring rain. Fast forward to 2016, and they found themselves sitting across from each other at dinner after connecting on a dating app. Vinny and Diane fell in love and now co-own the cupid of their love story, Mobility City. By Sarah Lindauer
Vinny and Diane Baratta’s love story is movie script material. They first crossed paths in 2015 when Vinny fixed the mobility scooter of Diane’s late husband in the pouring rain. Fast forward to 2016, and they found themselves sitting across from each other at dinner after connecting on a dating app. Vinny and Diane fell in love and now co-own the cupid of their love story, Mobility City.
Call it fate or just great business-in-the-making, Mobility City is the only national mobility equipment and product repair, rental and sales franchise in the country. Their network reaches 22 states – and counting – in a $5 billion industry.
With love literally intertwined in its story, it’s no surprise that a turnkey Mobility City franchise attracts retail-minded entrepreneurs looking to leave the corporate world for a feel-good role.
“A lot of the time, people have either a family member or someone in their past that has been in mobility equipment, so they have this passion for helping the mobility-impaired. Of course, we’re selling a franchise, but it’s not the kind of model where you’re selling pizza or hamburgers,” Diane shared. Franchisees are able to provide a better quality of life for seniors and disabled people through every stage of their journey – from cane to hospital bed.
“You’re not just earning, you’re feeling good about building relationships,” she added.
Beyond the mission-driven aspect, Mobility City also provides a lucrative business model for franchise owners. There are around 100 million seniors and people with disabilities in the country, and Mobility City has little competition. Each of the 100-plus territories has 1 million to 4 million residents to whom franchise owners offer full-service support.
“Operations talent is the key to success. If I can’t get the part in a few weeks, it’ll be a rental until I get the part. And since people are so dependent on the product, because it’s being used a high amount of hours per day, maybe it’s unfixable. So that leads to sales,” Vinny shared.
The majority of franchisees that execute this business model are cash-flow positive within six months and headed for $1 million-plus annually. Now that’s feel-good business.
Sarah Lindauer