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Play first, then work? Well, why not?

By PAUL SWIDER
Published January 7, 2007

When Bill Wright was a teenager in 1960s rural western Illinois, he had a profound thought about work.

"I didn't understand why people would go to work at 18, work 'til they're 60, then retire and die," said Wright, 59. "I thought then it might be a good idea to take the vacation when I'm young and healthy and work when I'm old."

Wright did just that, joining the footloose of his generation and criss-crossing the country in search of a good time. He drove a van because "any self-respecting hippie had to have a van," but also because he was in a wheelchair. Despite vaccinations, polio had taken his mobility, but not his spirit.

His wanderlust took him from Chicago to Haight-Ashbury and later to St. Petersburg. Though he says now he didn't really plan it, his teenage dream has come true as he is now the owner of WrightWay Consulting, Inc., a consumable and medical equipment company that does $2-million a year in sales.

"I could not have written the script," he said.

Wright's experience with disability helps in a business that serves others like himself, he said. But he says he's still surprised at his success.

He had, by his description, spent more than two decades without any direction other than having a good time.

"I tried to go to school, I messed with computers a little bit, I tried this, I tried that," he said, "but the focus of what I wanted to do was have fun."

Wright started to slow down around 1990. He noticed all his friends were married. After having had a series of party-paying jobs to do with the disabled, he took one with a medical supply company. He did all right, but was let go after five years for reasons he still doesn't understand. So he started his own company out of his house.

He had his own health issues to deal with, especially after an auto accident forced him into a motorized wheelchair and back problems made it hard to work for more than a few hours at a time. But he sold some consumable medical supplies, like adult diapers, and then added some equipment. Before long he'd outgrown his house and moved into 2,000 square feet at 2909 47th Ave. N.

Wright's business continued to grow and he hired more and more staff, always training them to be sensitive to the client's needs, not just pushing product. He now occupies 8,000 square feet and employs 15 to serve more than 1,000 customers.

"It's the best medical supply company we deal with," said Mike Dismore, the owner of ABC Support Coordination, a St. Petersburg company that helps disabled adults live at home rather than in more expensive institutions. "They understand what our consumers are dealing with."

Magdalene Browden also has direct contact with WrightWay as she cares for her 50-year-old daughter, Deborah, who has cerebral palsy. She said it's not uncommon for Wright to personally come deliver supplies all the way to her home in Seffner.

"He's a fine man," she said. "He's going good. He's got ambitions. I think he was kind of a player at one time."

Frank Greenberg knew Wright in his more carefree days. When Wright relocated to Florida in the 1970s, Greenberg hired him at Goodwill Industries of the Suncoast on Gandy Boulevard. Though Wright had no qualifications or experience, Greenberg said he saw something special that he's not surprised to see again now.

"Clearly he was bright, but he had a certain genuineness and openness," said Greenberg.

Retired from vocational rehabilitation work, Greenberg recalls Wright dreaming years ago about starting a business or organization, but no one took him seriously, including Wright himself. Still, Greenberg said he's not surprised to see Wright succeed now despite those wild years in between.

Wright says now he's happy to be helping others and making himself useful for more than just great party stories. But he's not disappointed with the course of events.

"I have no regrets, I don't wish I'd started at 30 or anything," he said. "It's been a great trip."

Paul Swider can be reached at 892-2271 or pswider@sptimes.com or by participating in itsyourtimes.com.

His own company

A dream realized

WrightWay Consulting Inc.

2909 47th Ave. N

St. Petersburg

877 419-3545

wrightway-medical.com

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 02:20:59]