About this episode
Marcus Jenkins, owner of Door to Doc in Greensboro, North Carolina, formed the company in April 2023 but did not run his first ride until October, spending the gap on research, training and insurance quotes. He started with a single rear entry wheelchair minivan and one broker, SafeRide Health, added a second van and driver about six months in, and now runs five vehicles. The PACE contract that became his second largest came from walking in and leaving a business card, and he still has every driver he ever hired.
Key takeaways
- Jenkins bought his first vehicle in February 2023 and registered the name and tax ID that April, then waited until October to run a ride while he researched and collected insurance quotes.
- He picked a rear entry minivan rigged for a single wheelchair on purpose. It cost less than a multi position vehicle, loaded faster, and matched the one passenger trips he was actually getting.
- The PACE contract, now his second largest, came from an unannounced visit and a business card. They called about two months later and he was running trips within two weeks.
- Every driver he has hired is still with him. Jenkins handpicks for temperament over experience, arguing he can teach the job but cannot train who a person already is.
- Door to Doc targets a 30 minute return for pickups. Jenkins asks passengers how long the appointment will run so he can slot another trip instead of leaving a driver idle.
Chapters
- 0:15 Marcus Jenkins and Door to Doc
- 0:48 Naming the company in 2014, launching in 2023
- 1:49 Six months of research before the first ride
- 3:16 Why a rear entry, one chair minivan
- 4:05 Insurance quotes and finding a local broker
- 6:02 The first ride, and the only broker he has ever had
- 8:27 Adding the second van and the second driver
- 9:01 Knocking on facility doors and winning PACE
- 13:28 Scheduling, overbooking, and the 30 minute goal
- 17:24 Maintenance costs and the spare van he does not have
- 18:26 The plan to reach 10 vehicles
- 22:27 Handpicking drivers and zero turnover
