Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Sias.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My background is in sales, specifically in the construction industry. Living in Florida, I was ready to make a change with my career trajectory and my family was looking for a change and move out of the state.
My father-in-law, who started WeCare back in 2000 was retiring after a 40 plus year career and offered me the chance to step into something new and make a difference. Seeing an opportunity to fulfill two wishes with one decision, my wife and I took over the business from my FIL and moved to east TN.
I have family in long term care and providing this critical service for our seniors is a personal passion of mine. Also, it’s always been a dream of mine to own and operate a small business and I’ve been given the chance to make that happen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There’s been many obstacles in trying to grow WeCare and service many of our elderly and disabled in long term care who go without the proper cleaning of their wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment.
Many of our potential customers do not know that automated cleaning products exist to wash and sanitize the equipment our elderly use in their everyday life. So, we’ve spent a considerable amount of time in the last few years trying to get the word out and educate the long term healthcare community what we can provide and do for them.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about WeCare Solutions?
WeCare Solutions is a small manufacturing business located here in east TN. We build reliable, affordable automated machines that wash and sanitize wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, potty chairs and more to service the cleaning needs of long term care and rehab facilities.
It’s a small, niche space in the healthcare community that often gets overlooked and many of our potential customers struggle with adequately cleaning and sanitizing the medical devices our elderly and disable use on a daily basis.
Can you imagine handwashing a wheelchair? Now imagine being tasked with washing fifty in a nursing home or mental health facility.
In this market space, our machines are affordable, reliable and carry an industry best warranty with an outstanding customer service base.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
So far, our best outlet for networking has been doing industry trade shows. The last AHCA show we did in TN was in Knoxville and has led to some wonderful contacts made with facility owners and group purchasing companies.
Having social media is helpful, but nothing beats face-to-face conversations and relationship building and tradeshows offer great opportunities to meet a lot of folks in a central location.
Pricing:
- Wheelchair Washer is approximately $11,000-12,000
- Cleaning chemicals are typically $70 for a 4 gallon case.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wecareincorporated.com/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/It1XZEYROCo
