Family Tragedy Helped This BIZ Experiencesial Couple Create a Business and Improve Lives Here's how chronic leg issues led to a redesigned crutch.

By Gary Bredow

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

In 2008, Max Younger's dad, Dan, lost his leg to a staph infection after a lifetime of being on and off crutches due to multiple knee surgeries. Max's desire to make his dad's life better led him to put his industrial design skills to work and develop an ambulatory aid to replace the age-old civil war crutches.

After years of tinkering in the basement, thousands of prototypes and hours of conversations with his dad, Max and his wife Liliana created something they believed could change lives. When they incorporated Mobility Designed in December of 2014, Liliana left her full-time job and began pitching investors. A 2016 video of the M+D Crutch went viral. The company had to quickly react to the sudden explosion of global interest. Since the launch, Mobility Designed has sold in over 20 countries and 49 US states. It continues to expand its patent portfolio.

Join host Gary Bredow as he travels around the country interviewing over 26 small business owners to hear their personal stories and find out what it really takes to start a successful business from the ground up. Energetic, inspirational and educational, Start Up is a fast paced new series sure to capture the imagination and hearts of the nearly 50 percent of Americans who dream of starting their own business.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

10 No-Office-Required Businesses You Can Start for as Little as $5,000

With strong Franchise 500 rankings and investment levels starting under $5,000, these brands are ready for new owners to hit the ground running.

Franchise

How to Prepare Your Business — And Yourself — For a Smooth Exit

After decades of building your business, turning it over to someone else can be emotional. But with the right mindset and a strong plan, it can also be your proudest moment.

Starting a Business

3 Things I Wish I Knew When I Founded a Company 20 Years Ago

If I could sit down with a new B2B founder today, these are the three conversations I'd make sure we had — the same ones I wish someone had with me early on.