Podcast Summary: From the Ground Up (Inc. Magazine)

Episode: "Beyond Barriers: One Business’s Mission to Revolutionize Accessible Travel and Build Inclusive Communities"
Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Ben Baer
Guests: Kelly Twitchell (Founder & CEO, accesstrax), Pete Jackson (Executive Director, Chase for Business Coaching for Impact), Kelly Shoup (California Division Director, Chase Business Banking)

Overview

This episode spotlights the journey of Kelly Twitchell, founder of accesstrax—a company making outdoor spaces like beaches accessible for people with mobility challenges through portable mat solutions. The discussion ranges from economic trends for small businesses, the inspiration behind accesstrax, personal and financial obstacles, to key lessons on scaling an impact-driven business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Economic Outlook for Small Businesses (00:55–04:19)

• Kelly Shoup (Chase Business Banking) shares optimism among small business owners, with 65% expecting revenue increases.
• Key challenges: Rising interest rates, labor gaps, and geopolitical uncertainty.
• Importance of tech adoption: “Businesses that embrace technology earlier stay in front of competition... and really kind of forecast the changes that their clients want them to make.” (Kelly Shoup, 01:54)
• Growing sectors in California: Clean energy, digital commerce, healthcare, innovation, advanced manufacturing, and the influence of cross-border trade and biotech in San Diego.
• Advice: Stay connected, network, and find mentors.

2. accesstrax Origin & Mission (04:42–09:54)

• Kelly Twitchell recounts accesstrax’s roots as a school project to aid adaptive surfers by enabling beach access:

  “They didn’t care what it looked like…They cared how it made them feel.” (Kelly Twitchell, 06:25)

• The transition from occupational therapist to entrepreneur was spurred by the immediate need the prototype addressed.
• Personal connection: Kelly’s passion stems from her own mother's sudden disability after a stroke, emphasizing how disability reshapes not just individuals but entire families.

3. Making Impact at Scale (09:11–10:56)

• Shift from one-on-one clinical impact to affecting thousands globally through entrepreneurship.
• Early validation: Adaptive surfers’ enthusiasm and gratitude signaled both need and market.

4. The Power of Story, Passion & Authenticity (10:18–12:42)

• Pete Jackson was moved by Kelly’s authenticity at a pitch competition:

  “She was extremely articulate, extremely passionate…her advocacy for disability was very important to her. And that’s what drew me to her.” (Pete Jackson, 10:18)

• Kelly discusses learning to be vulnerable and using personal experience as a “superpower” in connecting with stakeholders and customers.

5. Business Coaching & Scaling the Business (13:10–18:05)

• Coaching for Impact: Weekly sessions helping Kelly understand business finances, cash flow, and access to capital.
• Diversification: From adaptive surfing to new markets—film, construction, and events. Goal: Olympics & Paralympics LA 2028.
• Pandemic resilience: Transparency and communication with stakeholders (clients, investors, staff) were vital.
• Business growth milestones: Winning the FedEx Small Business Grant (2020) fueled full-time commitment and expansion to hiring staff.

6. Navigating Access to Capital (18:16–23:16)

• Pete Jackson's advice:
  • Match vision to financial strategy.
  • Separate personal and business finances.
  • Build a team of trusted advisors.
  • Plan for measured, sustainable growth.

  “Cash can be your kryptonite if you don’t have a plan to pay it back. And there’s good debt and bad debt.” (Pete Jackson, 18:30)

• Kelly’s funding journey: Scholarships/grants, friends and family loans, then traditional bank credit after business maturity. Over $100k in grants won.

  “Every month when I would write them checks, I would write a little letter of, here’s what we’ve been up to in the past 30 days.” (Kelly Twitchell, 22:55)

7. Strategic Growth, Community, and Advisory (23:24–26:26)

• Importance of a three-year plan and building relationships within the adaptive athletic community.
• Business accelerators and mentorship played key roles in CEO development and business resilience.
• “I have made it past that mark and that’s a big deal.” (Kelly Twitchell, on surviving five years in business, 26:11)

8. Looking Ahead: The Road to the 2028 Paralympics (26:38–28:04)

• Kelly’s big-picture goal: Official partner for LA 2028 Olympics & Paralympics.
• “If the athletes want you, they will advocate…”—community endorsement is pivotal for visibility and opportunity.

9. Final Business Advice (28:16–29:10)

• Pete Jackson:
  • Stay resilient and informed.
  • Know when to say no—protect your time and resources.
  • Apply the 80/20 rule for productivity. Keep passion alive.

  “Don’t lose your fire and your passion...it will attract others to you.” (Pete Jackson, 28:54)

10. Product Details: What is accesstrax? (29:10–30:19)

• Modular, recyclable plastic mats (3’x3’ square tiles) connect with Velcro to form portable pathways on sand, grass, snow, gravel, etc.
• User-friendly and designed for rapid deployment, serving individuals, event organizers, and industries in need of accessible pathways.

  “Think of it as these little square tiles that you can put together to make a portable sidewalk.” (Kelly Twitchell, 30:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On why Kelly started accesstrax:

  “This can’t just go in the closet and I move on with my life...I can help millions of people around the world have better access to the outdoors.”
  — Kelly Twitchell (06:46)

• On the power of storytelling:

  “If you’re able to be vulnerable, that draws people in, and they know you’re authentic, they know you care, and they know why you’re passionate.”
  — Kelly Twitchell (11:37)

• On business growth strategy:

  “You don’t have to know everything. Immediately start to surround yourself with bankers, with local community leaders, with people who can show you the way.”
  — Pete Jackson (18:30)

• On product philosophy:

  “We want anybody who gets this out of the box to understand how do I use this? I just want to get from point A to point B to focus on what I’m doing, not how am I going to get there.”
  — Kelly Twitchell (29:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Economic Outlook & Trends: 00:55–04:19
• accesstrax Backstory & Personal Journey: 04:42–09:54
• Scaling from Idea to Business: 14:15–18:05
• Access to Capital Discussion: 18:16–23:16
• Strategic Growth & Advisors: 23:24–26:26
• 2028 Paralympics & Future Vision: 26:38–28:04
• Advice for Founders: 28:16–29:10
• Product Description: 29:10–30:19

Conclusion

This candid conversation with Kelly Twitchell and Pete Jackson offers both inspiration and tactical advice on leading a purpose-driven company. It’s a compelling story of turning personal adversity into wide-reaching positive change, with rich insights into relationship-building, resilience, and scaling with community at the core.