John Wolfe, 101 Mobility of St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – John Wolfe’s journey to owning 101 Mobility is rooted in service, family and a lifelong commitment to helping others live with dignity and independence. A proud U.S. Army veteran, John embodies the values of discipline, perseverance and compassion.

After completing military service, Wolfe built a successful career in the corporate world, gaining 15 years of operational experience working at two Fortune 500 companies, including Solventum, a division of 3M, in Columbia. His time there sharpened his problem-solving and business management skills, but more importantly, it reinforced his belief in the power of people-centered service. This notion of service would ultimately guide him toward his next chapter.

That chapter began when an opportunity came about to purchase 101 Mobility of St. Louis, an existing franchise whose mission aligned perfectly with John’s personal values and life experiences. ‘The whole premise of the business is helping people. Any business that I was interested in, I wanted to make sure it was helping people,’ Wolfe explained.

Over the years, he had watched his grandparents struggle with the daily challenges of aging, from managing stairs to maintaining independence within the home. Those experiences resonated with him, sparking a passion to help others maintain their independence, safety and dignity as they age or face mobility challenges.

The path to ownership wasn’t easy, but John found guidance from the Mizzou Small Business Development Center. Working alongside counselor Paul Zacharias, he gained the tools to navigate the financing process and secure a business loan to purchase 101 Mobility. “Once I found something I was interested in, I contacted the SBDC to have a professional lay eyes on what I was seeing. I wanted a professional opinion on that, and that’s what I got,” said Wolfe.

With the deal completed in June, John is now working full-time at the company location in Weldon Spring, Mo. He made sure the company has a smooth transition with the 101 Mobility team remaining in place, preserving jobs and continuity of service for local families. Looking ahead, John is excited about growing the business and pursuing contracts with the Veterans Administration, bringing his journey full circle by serving fellow veterans while building a business rooted in care and opportunity.

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John Wolfe, a Mizzou SBDC client.