It’s been a little over a year since COVID officially began, and although now it may be a little easier to see a doctor, for those that are elderly or without transportation, missing essential doctors’ visits could unfortunately be fatal. MJ Reliable transportation found their niche, and has been providing non-emergency medical transportation to elderly patients in Orange and LA Country. They sat down with us to talk about their beginnings (both struggles and successes), how COVID impacted their business, and how they knew their business was positively impacting the community.
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
Jasmine and I have worked in the social service profession, with a combined 20 years’ experience helping individuals improve their quality of life. I have always had the heart and passion for helping others. Still, after my father became legally blind in 2014, that encouraged me to help others with their transportation needs. My father relies heavily on transportation services to get to and from appointments. I met my business partner Jasmine Archie through a mutual friend. Jasmine has a strong work ethic that I was impressed by. Her desire to help those in need seemed to impact many individuals within her community. So, I approached her with the idea of starting a NEMT business (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation). Together we began to research this industry and found that so many individuals are faced with the challenges of getting to and from critical medical appointments.
Can you share a moment that made you realize this service was helping the community?
A large portion of the population we service requires extra assistance. Many clients have expressed how thankful they are to have a service that is tailored to their needs. Our clients rely on this service to attend critical care appointments such as dialysis, physical therapy, and routine appointments. Without reliable transportation, many of our clients would miss these critical care appointments needed to maintain their health. We know that we are providing an essential service that enhances the quality of life of our community members.
Are there any plans to expand into surrounding areas?
We believe everyone should have access to NEMT transportation. Our medically fragile and elderly are no different. Therefore, we are committed to making sure their transportation needs are met. With that mindset, expansion is definitely an option in the near future.
Did you face any challenges while starting your business? How did you overcome them?
We have experienced many obstacles along the way. Some of the challenges include not being able to get a business loan or line of credit, ridiculous insurance premiums, the high cost of handicap-accessible vans, and the countless hours spent becoming certified NEMT drivers. Though we were faced with many challenges from the very start, we knew that our faith would carry us to the finish line. With a true vision, we knew that minor setbacks would only become big comebacks.
If you had to sum up your mission in 2 sentences, what would it be?
We stand strong behind these words (We love, We care, We transport).
How has COVID impacted your business?
March 2020 was a scary time for us. COVID hit hard, and many of our clients had become victims to this unknown virus our nation didn’t know much about. Due to the concern for our clients and staff, we halted services temporarily. After several months like many small businesses, we began to feel the financial impact the pandemic had caused. Although life was uncertain, we knew that our clients still needed us. With the help of local resources and information from the CDC website, we came up with a safety plan to ensure clients and staff remain COVID-19 free.
Candace Green is a Birmingham, Alabama transplant by way of Washington DC. She enjoys reading, writing, cooking and eating amazing food, and Marvel movies. She is an author and blogger. You can follow her on IG: c_dog93.
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