Meet Kelly Twichel | Occupational Therapist & CEO of Access Trax

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Twichel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe that the most important factor behind my success is my passion. When you truly believe in your mission, you are able to get up every morning and tackle the good, the bad and the ugly. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, and you will be tested. But if you have that desire and passion to make an impact, it will fuel you through those lows so you can keep going. That’s why it’s so important to ask yourself before you start down any path: What is your why? What is your purpose?

My specific mission is to empower people with physical disabilities to live healthy and active lives without barriers. My mom had a disability starting when I was age 12, and I saw how it affected her and us as a family. That led me to pursue a career in healthcare. When a grad school project turned into an opportunity to help people with disabilities with my solution, I knew I had to act. My passion of helping people motivated me to work hard and see this through.

I launched my company Access Trax in 2018 and have since been able to serve families, adaptive sports organizations, events and government across 15 countries. My product specifically empowers people who use mobility devices to easily access rough outdoor terrain like sand at the beach using our patented, portable access mats. The mats are the most cost-effective and easy-to-use solution for outdoor ADA compliance and inclusion.

I believe the brand has been successful so far because of its authenticity. The product was inspired by adaptive surfers and invented by occupational therapy students. You don’t hear a lot of medical equipment companies sharing a story like that. Access Trax is also authentic in that we don’t just sell a product. We volunteer, participate in advocacy for disability rights, and partner with organizations around the world. The disability community is such an incredible group and I feel lucky to be able to contribute and collaborate.

What should our readers know about your business?
Access Trax empowers people who use mobility devices to easily access the outdoors and recreation using our lightweight, portable access mats. The mats provide a firm, stable surface for accessing rough terrain like sand, grass, gravel, mulch and even snow. I love hearing how my customers use the mats around their home & garden, for camping, sports, the beach, and more. The accessibility proves to be a game-changer for so many families, businesses and events. Imagine this: you’re having a beach wedding, but a friend or relative happens to use a wheelchair. How do you ensure they can access your special day? Access Trax has helped tons of people make their weddings fully accessible, too.

My story as an entrepreneur begins in San Diego in 2016. During an occupational therapy school project, I was inspired to solve a problem faced by adaptive surfers (surfers who use a wheelchair or other mobility device on land). This problem is that sand and other terrain is a barrier to people with mobility impairments; The surfers can’t cross the sand in their wheelchairs to get to the ocean. To solve this, I co-invented a lightweight, portable access mat so they can cross the sand with dignity and independence. After testing the prototype, I knew this idea couldn’t simply be a school project that sat in a closet- I needed to turn this into a business so I could help millions of people around the world have better access to the outdoors. With my grit and endless pursuit for learning, I was able to launch Access Trax in 2018 and dedicate myself to being an advocate for inclusion.

Inventing a product and starting a company are not easy tasks. I didn’t have any prior business experience. What I did have is passion and a hunger to learn. I got mentors and sought out workshops, grants, and even business accelerator programs. Those have all helped me to get to where I am today. I am by no means done learning and growing!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would have to take them to the Zoo followed by dinner in Little Italy the first day! For breakfast, Nomad Donuts in North Park is a MUST- they have breakfast sandwiches and the donuts are literally to die for with a new menu each month. Another lunch or dinner spot would be GoGo Amigo in Liberty Station because their patio is so great and the drinks are delicious. We’d of course have to visit a few local beaches like Pacific Beach and Sunset Cliffs in OB. Another item on the list would be going for a hike in Mission Trails. I don’t think there’s ever a shortage of things to do in San Diego.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people and organizations who have helped me be who I am today. I would like to thank my occupational therapy professor, Dr. Maureen “Mo” Johnson for believing in me all these years. Even from day one with our class project, she was so enthusiastic and encouraging. Dr. Mo was the one who encouraged a student group to try to come up with a way of helping adaptive surfers cross the sand. So, without her, this idea may have never even happened! Thank you, Dr. Mo for all you do for the adaptive surfing movement and professional classification of these incredible athletes! Let’s get Para Surfing into the Paralympics in 2028!

Website: accesstraxsd.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/accesstrax

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellytwichel/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-GcBpYBmbwUxdxQvXnbmsA

Image Credits
Image Credits: Access Trax