Mike DeVries, owner of TMD Mobility in Albertville, offers refurbished scooters for those struggling with mobility. He talked with St. Michael Patch about his new business venture.
- Business name: TMD Mobility
- Address: 11135 61st NE, Suite E, Albertville
- Store hours: By appointment. Call or email to arrange an appointment.
- Contact information: 763-200-0222 or mike@tmdmobility.com
St. Michael Patch: Where did the idea for your business come from?
Mike DeVries: For the last 12 years I’ve helped people regain mobility and independence. While I was working in the industry, I decided to buy used scooters online and fix them up. I’d resell them to make a little play money. That side job started growing and I saw a real demand for previously owned mobility options.
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Patch: When did you decide to turn your “side job” into a business?
DeVries: Last February my wife and I decided to take the plunge and open a business. I officially hung my shingle here in Albertville, which is where my family and I live, and am really enjoying the decision to become a business owner.
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Patch: Is there a meaning behind the business name?
DeVries: Yes. TMD are the initials of my sons, Theodore and Michael DeVries.
Patch: How do customers respond to your product?
DeVries: The reaction I get when I deliver a new power chair to a client is amazing. As we age, mobility can become a problem and so many seniors feel trapped by their lack of mobility. When they take their new chair for a test drive, it’s great to see their smile. Something as simple as going to get the mail is a big deal for seniors who are suffering with mobility problems.
Patch: What makes your business unique?
DeVries: No other mobility business focuses on secondhand options. Power chairs can be expensive and the ads you see on television about how easy it is to get your insurance company to pay for a scooter is very misleading. I’ve had so many customers thank me for offering a solution to their problem that’s easy to get and inexpensive.
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