Rising Stars: Meet Marlyse Moran

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Marlyse Moran.

Hi Marlyse, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Last year, in 2023, my best friend mentioned to me about starting a NEMT (Non-Emergency Medical Transport) business and how it was profitable but also that I had the heart to help people, and she thought it would be good for me. However, I had to close my restaurant in 2022 because we couldn’t recover from Covid. I was very nervous to start a new business.

I lived with my grandmother for several years and saw how often it would have been easier for someone to take her to her appointments than herself. I am glad I was able to do that from time to time, so she was also a part of my inspiration.

But it wasn’t until my mother-in-law got diagnosed with cancer that I really started considering this business after seeing what my father-in-law was going through with constant medical appointments that he had to take her to. For a caretaker, it is a lot to handle, and trying to balance work, home life, and the constant medical appointments.

I was able to form the business in December of 2023, and my mother-in-law passed on Dec. 15th. I started taking clients in January. She inspired me. This is a very hard industry to market, and I am slowly growing clients, but I really need to get my name out there. We currently take Private Pay clients and work alongside brokers that deal with health insurance.

We currently have two vehicles. One sedan for ambulatory trips that includes anyone who needs little assistance in and out of the car and one wheelchair-accessible van for those who are wheelchair-bound. The goal is to grow and have a fleet on the road to be able to assist as many clients as we can. I would also like to start a non-profit addition to Gentle Heartz for those who can’t afford to pay for trips to the doctors. Many elderly and Vets have limited and set incomes.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This process has not been easy at all.

Again, it is extremely hard to market since you are only targeting people who can’t drive themselves and have medical needs. It is more of a hands-on going into facilities to sell yourself. Most brokers will not work with you if you have 1 vehicle, which is what I started with, and then I just spent my lifetime’s savings on a wheelchair van. LOL.

The challenges never end because of the liability in this business and the cost of insurance that has skyrocketed in the past year. I am also one person trying to manage paperwork, phone calls, scheduling trips, and driving the patients. But I know that I am where I need to be and that the clients need me.

This business requires a loving and compassionate staff, and that is what I plan to offer. Getting attached to your clients is also a challenge because the reality of this business is that some of them pass away, and you end up caring for them as if they were a part of your family.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe you can tell us more about your work next?
I think the best way to describe this particular career is to say anyone can slap a sticker on their vehicle and say they are a NEMT provider. The true gift is actually having the heart to help and care for others. As a little girl, there were 4 things I have always wanted. 1, was to be a mom, 2 a cook, 3 a singer, and 4, someone who would help others.

I have to say that not many people will accomplish everything on their list, but I have. I became a mom. I never went to culinary school but dreamed of being a chef and opening my own restaurant. I had the privilege of doing that from 2015-2023, and what a joy it was. There were some dark days and, of course, closing with Covid.

I have to singing since I was 4. I had the opportunity to try out for so many music shows, sing in a band, travel, and make money for 10 years. And lastly, I want a career that will help support my family while caring for others. I find this part of my life to be extremely fulfilling. I know that I am right where I need to be.

What are your plans for the future?
My goal is to have a fleet of vans to be able to service so many in our community. I hope to be able to grow big enough that I can open a Non-profit division of Gentle Heartz and provide rides for all the handicapped, elderly, and Vets who can’t afford it. But I do not think that is where it stops. I want to help the disadvantaged live a life of normalcy as much as possible.

Think about how many of the elderly that get left in nursing homes that never see outside those walls. Think of the Vets and Handicap who have no one and are in their home alone and have no way to interact with society. Maybe they are living in shambles, and no one knows about it.

I want to to provide them with resources to have their houses cleaned at no charge and any cosmetic work to make their living situation more livable. For example, wheelchair ramps and things to make it easier for them to live more independently.

Pricing:

• $25.00 Ambulatory One Way
• $45 Wheelchair One Way
• $1.75 per mile outside of 10 miles

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gentleheartz.com
• Instagram: @gentleheartztransportation
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553836752563