Journey Health: ‘We want and need providers’

RICHMOND, Va. – Journey Health & Lifestyle, a company led by former Drive Medical founders and execs, is building a network of HME providers to augment its direct-to-consumer business. 

So far, the company, which manufactures everything from the Perfect Sleep Chair to the So Lite Scooter to the Zoomer Chair, has more than 160 active accounts with providers. 

“DME providers are critical in the health care supply chain when it comes to educating consumers and matching products and technology with specific consumers to facilitate a better clinical outcome,” said Mitch Yoel, CEO. “We want and need DME providers, and we offer them a unique value proposition.” 

Journey Health has its roots in a partnership between Peloton Equity and Yoel, Harvey Diamond and Richard Kolodny, all formerly of Drive, as well as Charles Valentine. Together, they acquired firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond and relaunched it as Journey Health & Lifestyle in 2021. 

The value proposition that Journey Health offers providers, Yoel says, is a national advertising platform into the homes of tens of millions of seniors and a call center that processes tens of thousands of leads per month for their cash-pay products. 

“I know it’s always a struggle to get foot traffic into their stores,” he said. “These are real leads that turn into opportunities to educate consumers and complete transactions.” 

In turn, having a network of providers allows Journey Health to accommodate the customers who call in to express their interest in purchasing products but who want to “touch and feel” them first, Yoel says. 

“They see it in a print ad, on TV or online and they love it, but they want to try it out first,” he said. 

While it can be controversial for a manufacturer to sell DTC and B2B, Journey Health believes it has taken the necessary steps to avoid channel conflict, including “strict minimum advertised prices.” 

“Most manufacturers are selling direct in some way and when they see the unique benefits that we offer, in the form of leads, pricing where it’s supposed to be, premium products – they realize it’s to their benefit,” said Chris Blackmore, vice president of retail sales.