Gregg Stone, Buffalo amRAMP

Gregg Stone has lived in Western New York his entire life. He owns the Buffalo Amramo franchise along with his wife Renay, who manages all of the bookkeeping. Prior to joining Amramp, Gregg spent 16 years in the telecommunications construction industry, eight years as a project manager. "I felt that the skills I had developed managing large-scale telecommunications projects would transfer to managing the resources necessary to provide wheelchair ramps to Amramp's clients with empathy, professionalism and in a timely manner," says Gregg. He started his franchise in November of 2004.

Gregg's first ramp was for a customer's mother who was in a nursing home in an area where average nursing homes costs exceed $200.00 per day. "An ADA compliant ramp was a contingency for the mother's discharge. Renay and I set up the ramp on a 40-degree day in a rain and snow mix. We started at 8 am and finished at 5 pm. We were cold and tired, but the customer's gratitude made it all worthwhile."

Throughout the winter and into the spring, Gregg was diligent, but conspicuously unsuccessful. He was told that most start-up businesses go through growing pains in the first year, therefore prepared not to panic if referrals and sales took some time to develop. "The hardest part was making the transition from a project manager in construction to a position in sales," says Gregg. He found himself stammering through his first 3-4 presentations. He did find the best presentations were those where he fielded questions.

When Gregg reached his ten-month period, the phone had stopped ringing on a regular basis. At the end of eleven months, Gregg asked for and received some additional training from Amramp corporate. Upon observing Gregg's presentation some useful advice was provided. The biggest point Gregg walked away with, was not to be so technical, not to over complicate. "KEEP IT SIMPLE."

Also, with marketing efforts, Gregg networked with an editor of "Living Prime Time", an area publication addressing the needs and concerns of "baby boomers". Gregg also appeared on both a radio and television show owned by this publication. This contact gave Gregg the recognition and opportunity to network with additional medical personnel. During his radio interview, the Director of Patient Services from the VNA of Western New York was present. This was no coincidence. The day of his television interview, the CEO of a major nursing rehab facility was also present.

Sixty days later, Gregg is in the #1 sales slot. He remained there through the next quarter and still appears regularly in the top six in monthly franchise sales.