Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Brown “The Van Man”.
Zach Brown, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started Simple Mobility Vans after watching way too many people in my community get stuck—not because they didn’t want to go somewhere, but because the ride just wasn’t there. When you use a wheelchair, getting from point A to point B isn’t a small inconvenience. It can mean missing a doctor’s appointment, a family dinner, or a life event. That never sat right with me.
So I became the Van Man.
My goal was simple: build wheelchair vans that actually make sense. Safer. More practical. And way more affordable than most of what’s out there. No gold-plated gadgets, no bloated price tags—just solid, dependable vans that work in the real world for real people.
But here’s what surprised me: even with the right van, transportation was still a mess. People were juggling schedules, calling around for drivers, and hoping their loved ones made it safely. That’s when I realized the problem wasn’t just the van—it was everything around it.
That’s how WheelSHARE was born. Think Uber, but for wheelchair vans. It lets people book rides, track trips, and know exactly what’s going on—no guessing, no stress. It’s simple, transparent, and built for families and communities, not tech nerds.
Today, Simple Mobility Vans and WheelSHARE work together to keep people moving. And honestly, that’s the whole point. Mobility equals freedom. Freedom equals connection. And nobody should miss out on life because transportation got in the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but if it were, everyone would be doing it.
One of the biggest challenges was changing the mindset around wheelchair transportation. For years, overpriced vans and limited options were just accepted as “that’s how it is.” I had to prove that wheelchair vans can actually be safer, simpler, and way more affordable without cutting corners. That took time, trust, and a lot of conversations.
Then there were the hands-on challenges. Finding reliable vehicles, dealing with supply-chain chaos, and keeping prices reasonable while holding the line on safety—especially when vans were hard to find nationwide—was a constant juggling act. Building WheelSHARE added another twist, because making tech that’s easy enough for families to use but strong enough to be dependable isn’t exactly plug-and-play.
And like any startup story, there were plenty of unknowns. Growth wasn’t always fast, mistakes happened, and some lessons were learned the hard way. But every challenge pointed to the same truth: people genuinely need better mobility options, and the work is worth it.
Looking back, those obstacles didn’t slow us down—they shaped us. Simple Mobility Vans and WheelSHARE are what they are today because they were built in the real world, for real people, not in a boardroom.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Simple Mobility Vans, we focus on one simple mission: helping people actually get where they need to go. That means making wheelchair-accessible transportation more affordable, more reliable, and more realistic for everyday people and communities.
We build wheelchair vans that are safe, dependable, and designed for real life—not showroom hype. No overbuilt features, no bloated price tags. Just solid vans that do their job well. Because of that, our vans are often significantly more affordable than most competitors, without sacrificing safety or long-term reliability.
As we grew, we learned something important: owning a van doesn’t automatically fix transportation. People were still juggling schedules, tracking down drivers, and wondering if their loved ones made it safely. That’s when we knew we had to go bigger.
Enter WheelSHARE.
WheelSHARE is best described as Uber for wheelchair vans. It lets people schedule rides, track trips, and stay informed every step of the way. It’s simple, transparent, and built for real people—not tech experts. Families get peace of mind, and communities get a better way to move people safely and efficiently.
What we’re most proud of is that everything we build—both the vans and the technology—is centered on dignity, independence, and connection. This isn’t really about vehicles or software. It’s about helping people stay involved in their lives and their communities, without transportation standing in the way.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people are surprised to learn that I’m still very hands-on. I still inspect vans, talk directly with families, and stay close to the details—even as the business has grown. I don’t see that as stepping back; I see it as staying connected. It keeps the work real and reminds me that every van, every ride, and every decision affects a real person and a real life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getmyvan.com and https://ridewheelshare.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@getmyvan
