Geoffrey Hanson, Owner & GM, Midwest Mobility

 

Lake/Forest Lake Bluff Chamber:  Tell us a little bit about Midwest Mobility and the products and services your offer?

Geoff Hanson: We offer sales, rentals, and in-home repairs of most types of home medical and mobility equipment – anything from walkers and wheelchairs to home hospital beds, lift-out recliners, mobility scooters and power wheelchairs.  We have a retail store open 6 days a week on Dempster St. in Morton Grove, and we service all of Chicagoland with repairs and deliveries of new and rental equipment.  One thing that makes us different is we repair equipment even if we didn’t originally provide it.

 

LF/LB: What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry and found Midwest Mobility?

GH:  After nearly 20 years in consumer goods marketing with a couple terrific companies, I realized that I wanted to have more control over my career.  I also wanted to impact people in a more tangible, personal way, and helping them retain their independence is very rewarding.  I started the business in 2019 as part of a franchise system, but I quickly realized being independent was a better option for me (and my customers) so I created Midwest Mobility.

 

LF/LB: What is your vision or hope for the future of your business?

GH:  At first, the hope was to be able to start a business that helps people every day, while of course keeping the lights on at home.  After a couple years (punctuated by the onset of COVID 3 months after we opened!), the business had grown to a point of viability, and our growth since then has continued.

 

LF/LB:  How does Midwest Mobility support and give back to the community?

GH:  We conduct “tune-up days” at local senior living facilities and repair their equipment.  We also connect people who have equipment that’s no longer needed with charities that provide free medical equipment to under-served communities both around Chicago and in Mexico.

 

LF/LB: Is there anything else you would like to share about your business?

GH:  Most people assume we help only older customers, but we do a lot of work with younger customers who have certain mobility-impairing conditions, and we do a lot of rental business with people of all ages for surgery recoveries.  Anyone having hip or shoulder surgery should know about our premium rental power lift recliners – they recline flat so you can sleep in them at night, and they will stand you up to help get out of the chair whenever you need to.  It’s much less painful than getting in and out of bed for those first few weeks after surgery!