Mobility City Vinny & Diane Baratta

It is no accident that Vinny Baratta’s career has been in the medical field. Vinny’s dad was a physician as were his dad’s 4 brothers. The five MDs practiced medicine together in the Baratta Medical Center, becoming quite prominent in NY and a local business success. Vinny is the oldest child of 4 and the oldest grandchild of 18, many whom are in the medical profession. 

He attended La Salle Military Academy and graduated from the University of Tampa with a BS in business. Torn between becoming a doctor or going into business, he went to work in the Baratta Medical Center to find his way. 

One day in 1982, a patient came in with a broken wheelchair and Vinny fixed it. Shortly thereafter, Vinny decided that his calling in life would be to help disabled persons in need of products and services. 

In 1983 Vinny opened a home medical equipment (HME) company. This sales company quickly became a success - the first of several which he built sequentially. Yet Vinny recognized something was missing from the HME sales business model.

After 34 years, Vinny conceived of a new model HME. He chose to construct a medical equipment repair, rental and sales business, focused on helping people increase their quality of life and independence. He recognized that the best way to reach people across America was to franchise business locations across the country. That is the Mobility City’s “Win-Win” philosophy.

In 2018, Vinny and Diane awarded their first Mobility City franchise, and within 3 years they reached 51 franchises awarded across America. Today, Mobility City franchises concentrate on courteous service, repairs, rentals, and sales of mobility equipment. Vinny and Diane are not done as their reach now covers 100 million Americans; and there are another 240 million in America to finish this journey. 

And an incredible part of this story is how Diane and Vinny crossed paths well before they were building this franchise business together.

In 2015, Vinny’s store was always open on Saturdays. One Saturday at around 3 pm, a woman called and asked for help; her husband’s scooter was broken, and he was dependent on it.

“I told her that repairing mobility products is what we do. My technician went to her home the same day, and we changed the batteries in her husband’s scooter. He was mobile and independent again and she was a satisfied customer. Later, in 2016, on a dating website I met Diane. During dinner conversation, we discovered that our paths had already crossed! Yes, it was my company that went to her home, and gave back mobility to her late husband. As we spoke, we learned that we had many things in common. We fell in love and got married! Later, in 2017, we both recognized that Mobility City was for franchising” Said Vinny.

Have you heard the news?  We are officially on YouTube.  Come check out a few videos have have and give me a follow!  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwoAdrkPZmveJt5AQRDk8WA

---

Lance Graulich

Franchise Consulting Services from ION Franchising

Eye On Franchising