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David Self and his nephew photo by Wade Griffith
Personal challenges prompt entrepreneur’s new venture
For the past 13 years, entrepreneur David Self and his wife, Rosemary, have raised their two children, Ryan and Brooke, in Lake Highlands. Ryan was born with Down syndrome and, as a child, underwent reconstructive surgery. As the boy recovered and participated in physical therapy, the Self family got to know other families and children who were dealing with physical impairments. Several years later, when David’s brother, Claiborne Self, told him about a company called Next Day Access — which provides easy-to-install ramps, lifts and equipment to make the lives of physically impaired individuals easier — he knew, first-hand, about the demand for such services in the Dallas area. Self, prompted by personal experience and confident about the business’s potential, was anxious to get involved. The Self brothers partnered and opened Next Day Access DFW, the outfit’s second franchise in the country. Self likes the idea that clients can call and have a stair lift that dramatically changes their lifestyle installed by the end of the next day at an affordable price. “You are always helping somebody in this business, whether it’s a family, caregiver or the physically impaired person,” he says. Recently they installed a ceiling lift for a wounded vet who needed it in order to independently get in the bathtub for physical therapy. It’s this type of thing, Self says, that makes him feel good about his entrepreneurial venture. He also is excited about the ways Next Day Access might help aging adults stay independent. “Looking back at my own family, I think getting some grab bars and ramps installed at home would have helped my dad stay independent longer and may have prevented some trips to the doctor.” The Self brothers plan to open another Next Day Access in Houston in early 2014.
Next Day Access DFW, 214.295.7219, nextdayaccess.com
| Business bits |
Lake Highlands Automotive will host a charity golf tournament to benefit the Lake Highlands YMCA on May 18 at the Waterview Golf Club in Rowlett. Entry is $90 per player and participants should register before May 1.
Lake Highlands Automotive, 10702 Audelia, 214.348.8181, lakehighlandsauto@yahoo.com
Tom Thumb at Skillman-Abrams will permanently close June 1. The Tom Thumb at Skillman between LBJ and Royal will get a major remodel, which will include the addition of a Starbucks.
Tom Thumb, 8698 Skillman, tomthumb.com
Big Lots on Skillman-Abrams is negotiating its lease, says a spokesperson. If they renew, the location will undergo a makeover.
Big Lots, 6500 Skillman, 214.560.4203, biglots.com
The Dallas Arboretum Children’s Garden will open September 21, according to a spokesperson, in conjunction with their annual Autumn at the Arboretum exhibit.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland, 214.515.6500, dallasarboretum.org
