Meet Andrew Ford | Business owner / certified peer visitor

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

Hi Andrew, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business-The thought first crossed my mind when I had my first amputation I lost my arm about 6 years ago and when the surgery was over and everything settled down I wanted to talk to someone who had been threw the same thing I went threw . I couldn’t find anyone to talk to so I started thinking and I talked to my mom about how I was feeling. My mom advised me to do some research and reach out to a place calmed the amputee coalition. So I took a ride to Knoxville Tennessee to go speak to a representative there and they informed me to take some classes and become a certified peer visitor after completing the course it still wasn’t enough for me so I then started a support group for amputees and after that was up and running I still didn’t think that it was enough because in the back of my mind I kept thinking about how I felt when I had no one to talk to when I was going threw my amputations. So that’s when I started Motivational Energy. And so far it’s been very successful and helpful to others as well as myself. What I mean by that is I learn a lot from helping others and just listening to others . Me as well as my staff strive to make a difference in the people we meet and come across. At Motivational Energy we put our clients above everything we create a close friendly environment. Because again I can’t stress enough I wouldn’t want anyone to fell like I felt it was a lonely and hurting feeling. After speaking to my mom she voiced her opinion that me starting motivational energy would be a great idea to help other people as well as help myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started in business at an early age I started a cleaning business. I love that business because I love making a difference. The cleaning business sounds kinda easy but it’s a very hard business to maintain and running my own business set me up for my amputee business . What that mean is I never expected to loose my arm and my leg what the cleaning business taught me was you have to take it personal . When I lost my limbs I felt I had to do something to make a difference so I started motivational energy what we do is hold support group meetings-one on one sessions- group outings- and visits to people who are about to become an amputee. When I lost my limbs I was in my late 40’s so it was very hard I lost my arm first and I was right handed do I gad to become left handed ( what a journey that was ) when I understood that situation I then lost my left leg . That was rough because I was very active in playing basketball and jogging. But I never let it get me down now to this day I’m still just as active as I was . And I try to teach and motivate others to do the exact same thing. I’m not saying it’s easy but when you have someone helping and motivating you and another important part of the whole process is listening to others . Just listening to someone in need goes a long way .

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For me when I have out of town guests coming to visit I love just taking them around the city . Cleveland gets a bad rap . Lol . But it’s really a beautiful place to view and hang out with some very interesting people. You gave sporting events good food .great night life and every day it’s getting better. My Saturday morning barber shop crew. While going threw my amputations going to the barber shop made everything fine. Those guys have a way of taking your mind off everything you’re going thru. So I want to thank all my friends at the barber shop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents my mom and dad – wife and kids- family and friends

Website: Motivationalenergy.org

Other: Email ( motivationaldrew ) 216-322-9287

Image Credits
J D and Dollie Ford Tracey Blackmon Ford My children My family