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

Hi Brandon, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
After being injured in a motocross accident at 14 years old, I wanted to continue living life the way I always did. Being independent, adventuring, meeting new people in new places. I quickly realized that
not every venue/establishment was made equally when it came to accessibility. This was very
discouraging and made me feel like a burden to the people that I would travel places with. I knew for
how agile in a wheelchair I was, that others who didn't have this capability would be pretty disheartened
and second guess their ability to go new places and feel a part of community.
I felt there had to be a better way for people to know before they go and thus came the idea for a
mobile application that allowed, "for us, by us", accessibility reviews. Our app allows for people to
explore confidently and independently in new cities and even their own. Our goal is to empower those
with disabilities to live an exceptional life without the worry of access. We have taken this mission from
our mobile application and implemented it into a partnership with Passport Parking, that will allow for
us to make actionable accessibility improvements.
We are currently running a pilot in Atlanta that allows for users to scan a QR code at an accessible
parking spot and leave feedback on how accessible the spot is as far as access to sidewalks, payment
and overall safety. See attached link below.. We have a pipeline of 10 cities ready to implement these
signs and our goal is to launch in 50 cities over the next 12 months.
https://www.passportinc.com/blog/passport-iaccess-life-survey-to-create-safer-more-accessible-
parking-in-atlanta/

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have no background in business or mobile application development. I was a motocross racer who did just enough in school so that I would be allowed to race/ride my dirt bike on the weekends. The path to
where we have ended up has been a true roller coaster ride. I feel that my resilience and stubbornness,
allows for me to find a way around or through any challenges that arise when it comes to business. I am
a college dropout, but it's taught me to be resourceful and surround myself with others who do their job
well and better than I ever could.

Starting a company has taught me that success isn't given its earned, through consistency and hard
work. It takes self-love, which turns into self-belief, when you show up for yourself everyday. Not just
working yourself to the bone, but taking time to rejuvenate, treat your body/mind right, meditate,
exercise, eat good food and get good sleep. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation and I've found
a lot of opportunities have come when I've surrounded myself with the right people in the right places.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I'll be 30 next year, and I feel like I've lived 3 lives already. For me the ideal day would be taking someone to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Chamblee (Antiguo Lobo), heading to VA.
highlands for a couple adult beverages and then find a rooftop (Hotel Clermont) to show them the city.
We'd wrap up the night with a late night trip to Sweet Hut Bakery on Buford Highway before calling it a
night.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I can’t do a shoutout without first mentioning my parents and family in general. I've caused grey hairs well before they reached a grey hair age and they have been nothing but supportive of every endeavor I
have been passionate about. I wouldn't be where I am today without them, my sister Devin and the rest
of my family.
I'd like to shoutout my co-founder Sayeed Mehrjerdian and the life he has built for himself, allowing for
him to be as instrumental in iAccess Life as he has been. I always say without him iAccess Life wouldn't
be anything. He is key to where we are and where we are headed.
Also a huge shoutout to my family at Atlanta Tech Village. They have built a great community that
welcomes everyone and helps to foster their growth through introductions, resources and support.

Website: www.iaccess.life

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.