The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast

We are closing shop on our podcast completely officially November 1st.  In addition, our magazine will be closing also, with no new publications, but the website will still be available to view until January 1st, 2023.

In this episode, our guest is Rachel Miller. She is the recruiting manager at Impact Recruiting Center, a trucking recruitment agency that helps drivers find jobs that match their lifestyles while assisting companies in filling positions with top-notch drivers. Today, Rachel shares all about the company and how they help both drivers and their partners get work opportunities.

Website: https://impactrc.net/

Recruiting Manager

Impact RC started working in early 2020, we are proud to say that we started as a small team and worked hard and unique. Now we count more than 20 members in our team and we are still expanding it.
Also the thing that we are the most proud of is that we have hired more than 450 drivers, and that most of those drivers are still working with the companies that we connected them with. We are currently cooperating with more than 50 good and reliable companies but that number is increasing.
We are connecting quality drivers with equal companies. First we want to know exactly what drivers are looking for so we can connect them with the right company for them. Our drivers are so valued and well taken care of. We only work with great companies who can provide the best programs for our drivers. That as well means that we are always here for them, to help them with any kind of problems that they might face.
Our main goal is to have both pirates satisfied, because as we like to say happy driver - happy company.

In this episode, John Farquhar joins the show. He is a risk solutions specialist. He had a very long career of 30-plus years in the transportation and insurance industries. Due to his experiences on both sides of the desk, he was able to start his own company conducting comprehensive risk evaluations. He can help his clients develop, improve, and enhance their risk management programs and practices. Today, John discusses his experiences in the transportation industry and his big-time experiences in the insurance industry. All of this culminated in the eventual formation of his current company, Summit Risk Solutions, Inc.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Website: http://www.summitrisksolutions.ca/

Risk Solutions Specialist

John has had an extensive and extraordinary career in the transportation and insurance industries over the past 30-plus years. He has seen many changes on both sides of the desk, which gave him the opportunity to start his own company conducting comprehensive risk evaluations. This hands-on assistance to clients will help them in developing, improving and enhancing their risk management programs and practices.

John started his career in the 80s as a driver, before making the first big step of owning his own truck. He eventually owned several trucks and managed the safety of their drivers and equipment. He then took on the adventure of owning his own company, which specialized in over-dimensional cargo on open-deck trailers throughout North America.

In 2003 John stepped out of the trucking owner role and moved over to risk management, providing consulting services for several trucking clients. It was not long before he was recruited by a global insurer, where he helped to strengthen risk services training programs and risk evaluation processes. He managed a team of highly qualified risk specialists across Canada, along with a national portfolio of transportation clients.

In 2013 John was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with a long-time and well-known Canadian insurer in developing and building a unique and specialized transportation product from the ground up. John was instrumental in developing and delivering the customized and comprehensive risk evaluation process. He was also responsible for recruiting, mentoring and leading an elite team of risk solutions specialists that conducted the comprehensive risk evaluations. John and his team were tasked with developing unique client support tools for tracking and analyzing violations, losses and trends, as well as creating a one-of-a-kind mentoring and training curriculum for client staff and drivers.

This new chapter in John's career sees him continuing to share his knowledge and expertise with transportation companies to enhance and improve their risk management programs and practices.

In this episode, our guest is Chris Harris. Chris is a highly experienced, sophisticated Safety Professional. He is well versed in the needs of trucking safety and compliance departments. Expert in recruiting, interviewing, and driver training. With his years of loss control for a trucking insurance company, he can best prepare a risk analysis report which results in an easy-to-follow and executable action plan. In 2013, he started Safety Dawg as a part-time source of income. In 2015 the company had grown, and Chris made it his full-time passion. In the same year, the company became incorporated. Chris talks with us today to share his journey on trucking safety and more. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Website: https://safetydawg.com/

Safety Dawg

We provide Action Plans that help your trucking company achieve reduced crash rated, improved insurance rates and facilitate your ability to feel well-prepared to pass an MTO Facility Audit through this comprehensive plan.

Accidents are reduced by effective hiring and strategic driver online training. This is our area of expertise!

We also assist entrepreneurs who are ready to start up their own trucking company, beginning with helping them with everything they need to know about obtaining CVOR and trucking permits. Safety Dawg can help. Whether it be the need for a Safety Department or to develop hiring and on-boarding policies and procedures, we have you covered.

In this episode, Saundra Covington joins the show. Saundra wrote the book “The Truck Driver’s Wife: Holding Down the Home Front,” where she highlights her and her husband's struggles and how they overcame them. Today, Saundra tells us about her life experiences, how they changed her for the better, and how her husband and family helped her through them.  

Website: https://linktr.ee/truckdriverwife

The Truck Drivers Wife Holding Down The Home Front

Home town Fresno, Ca Moved to So California early teens, High School Graduate Centennial High School Compton Ca. And Some College.

I am the wife of an Over The Road Driver, we have been married to the over 16 years. I have written a book entitled “The Truck Drivers Wife Holding Down the Home Front” that is a collection of shared experiences, challenges, and rewards that I have encountered being married in this Industry.
I wanted to share my experiences being the Wife of a Over The Road Driver. Our world in this industry is not the norm, adjusting unexpected occurrences, and staying together thru devastating losses.

In this episode, our guest is Humberto Marquez, founder of Miggy for Truckers, the ultimate trucking resource for the CDL driver. Today, Humberto shares with us his journey into trucking, how he launched Miggy, and also the integrations and features of the powerful app and more. Humberto's goal is to help truckers and the trucking industry. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Website: https://www.miggy.io/

Founder

Founder of Miggy.io. The rapidly growing number 1 source of information and vendors for trucking professionals.

Brenda Calvert is an artist, entrepreneur, and manager of Bostec, Inc. In her art business, she teaches art by doing classes with kids and commissions paintings from time to time. Brenda has been working on Bostec, Inc. for over three years now. Bostec helps companies establish their drug and alcohol policy to have a drug-free workplace. In this episode, Brenda shares about the drug and alcohol industry and the company Bostec, Inc. and more!  Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Website: https://www.bostec.com/

Manager

Manager of Bostec Inc in Lynden, WA. We manage Drug and Alcohol programs for companies as well as do collections.

Greetings ladies and gentlemen.  Today I have the honor of interviewing a young and exceptionally smart, focused and goal driven entrepreneur.  Today’s guest is Mr. Kamard Johnson. Kamard is the CEO and Chief Visionary Officer of GTT Commercial Tires.  His accolades are many, ladies and gentlemen.  This episode is guaranteed to leave you impressed and inspired.  To hear how in his teenage years, he had developed expert skills in sales, and entrepreneurship, to receiving top honors and accolades in the insurance and car dealership industry, to joining forces with his brother to create a multi-million-dollar commercial tire empire.  Without any further delay, let’s join in to learn more about Kamard and GTT Commercial Tire and much more!

Website: https://www.gttcommercial.tires/

CEO

At only 29 years old, Kamard Johnson is the CEO and Chief Visionary Officer of GTT Commercial Tires, a seven-figure new and used commercial tire store. Founded by his older brother, Kamard joined to scale sales and customer experience, building relationships in Richmond’s community of local drivers. Kamard quickly grew GTT Commercial Tires from $317K in 2018 to $4.6M in revenue at the end of 2021, increasing customer volume, revenue volume, and employee volume.

Kamard appears to be the picture of success, but his ascent to the top of his industry was not an easy one. Kamard was raised by a single-mother in Richmond, Virginia’s gritty Southside. A hustler at heart with an entrepreneurial spirit, Kamard became an expert in sales by middle school, selling Pokemon cards, and getting paid to do homework for his athlete classmates. At 16, he began contributing his income to the household to pay bills. He continued with sales jobs after high school in order to support his mother, while mentoring at-risk youth in his local community. In fact, Kamard currently has plans to eventually open community centers, where underserved youth are taught the necessary skill sets for entrepreneurship and wealth-building.

Kamard has been honored on multiple occasions for his distinguished work in sales, including being named as the youngest recipient of the Pacesetter First 40 Award during his time at Northwestern Mutual. He was also invited to join the prestigious President Club, an honor reserved for top earners, while at CarMax. Kamard and the business have been featured on the Truck n’ Hustle podcast and Richmond BizSense.

In this episode, we have invited Zach Miller. Zach has a bachelor's degree in business administration and was a member of the school's regional championship team in the American Advertising Federation in 2008. He is the publisher and chief writer for NewYorkTruckStop.com, as well as the Metro Region Vice-Chairman on the Board of Directors of the Trucking Association of New York (TANY). Zach is also the host of STTTREAM, an in-house media podcasting company for TruckTractorTrailer.com. Tune in on this episode and get to know more about Zach and the trucking industry!

Website: https://trucktractortrailer.com/

Head of Media & Business Development

Zach is the head of STTTREAM, the dedicated multi-media channel for TruckTractorTrailer.com. A talented interviewer, writer, editor, producer- Zach develops unique and relevant content by harnessing his transportation knowledge and industry contacts.

Working closely with Marketing, Zach helps to formulate strategy and themed campaigns that are interesting and compelling for the owner operator, fleet and dealer audience and others in the TTT community network.

Zach is also publisher and lead writer for NewYorkTruckStop.com. A native New Yorker, he serves as the Metro Region Vice-Chair for the Trucking Association of New York (TANY) Board of Directors and is a recipient of TANY’s Outstanding Service Award. Zach completed his BBA in Business Management from Hofstra University.

In this episode, our guest is Larry Walker. He is the Chief Operating Officer at Descal-A-Matic Corporation, a small, veteran-owned company with a worldwide customer base that provides non-chemical technology for enhancing the performance of diesel fuel-powered equipment. Since 1970, Descal-A-Matic has provided environmentally sound water treatment technology to control scale and water quality without chemicals in government and industrial installations worldwide. Today, Larry talks with us about the importance of conservation and how his company's applications help decrease fuel emissions and increase fuel endurance. So, let’s join in with Larry to learn more!

Website: https://www.descalamatic.com/

COO

- Retire Marine, 28 years active duty
- Spent 12 years in Defense Consulting
- Joined Descal-A-Matic Corporation in 2016 as COO
-- DAMC began providing its non-chemical, magnetically based technology for protecting water handling equipment from mineral scale and corrosion in the early '70s. For 52 years now, this has been our primary business focus.
-- in the mid-80s our Founder, Ernie Florestano, was researching the effect of magnetic influence on fuels and experimented by installing one of our smaller units into the fuel line of a diesel powered pickup truck. Got excellent results in increased fuel endurance.
-- For the past 37 years we've provided our magnetic technology to equipment operators across the spectrum of diesel powered equipment; from over-the-road trucks, to construction equipment, to maritime craft, to boiler operators, etc. The powerpoint slides show a small example of the varied applications that have been made of our technology.

In this episode, our guest is Josh Hannaberry. Josh is a transportation advocate, industry speaker, and podcast dedicated to creating a pivotal impact. His show “The Truck Focus Podcast” aims to connect Transportation Industry Leaders to the Industry to create a change. He is also the owner of PVTL Transportation Industry Solutions, a transportation company that works closely with commercial carriers, professional drivers, and businesses that service the transportation industry to help demystify information overload. Today, Josh chats with us about leading with empathy and why we should honor the people in the trucking industry.  Kick back, relax, and enjoy!

Website: https://www.pvtlindustry.com/truckfocus

Owner and Host

Josh Hannaberry, owner of Truck Focus Podcast, is on a mission to introduce transportation industry leaders, to the industry, to help create a pivotal impact.

With over 15 years of experience in the transportation industry, Josh has been fortunate to work with and connect with multiple transportation industry leaders that have an impact on his own journey, and he looks forward to connecting them, with you!

In this episode, we have guest, Coleen Simmons, a business owner, business coach, and the founder of Ask Coleen, LLC.  Coleen has her own company in the trucking industry with no prior knowledge and experience. She did her research and asked other people to gain knowledge about it. With Ask Coleen, LLC, she aims to assist truck drivers, owner-operators, and fleet owners with their trucking operations.  Sit back, relax, and let's learn more about Coleen and Ask Coleen, LLC.

Website: https://www.askcoleen.com/

Owner

Coleen Simmons is an Educator, Multi- Business Owner, Business Coach (Truckers), and founder of Ask Coleen, LLC.
Coleen loves to travel, spend time with her family, build businesses, and use her gifts to help others elevate to their next level.
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She is a lifelong learner and is always researching content for her businesses, so she can show up as her best self when engaging with clients. Coleen has over 20 years of business experience. She has started several businesses in the last 20 years, and currently runs three successfully. Coleen has several degree- one of which is a Doctorate Degree with a concentration in Management. She has over 15 years of higher education experience: ten of those years in online teaching. Coleen also has her Class A CDL.
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One of her three companies is a trucking company. Through her trucking business she has hauled anything from rock and sand to tires and other dry goods.

Welcome to the Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast! Today, we invited Michelle Lenore, CEO of LENS Consulting Firm, LLC, and Michelle Lenore Enterprises. She is a brilliant woman full of joy and passionate about assisting women, and small businesses gain millions of dollars in contracts from the government sector and corporate industries. Michelle also offers a wealth of knowledge, strategic skills, and training and building a top-notch LinkedIn profile to showcase your amazing gifts and talents and so much more.

Website: https://lensconsultingfirm.com/

CEO

Michelle Lenore Weathersby, CEO of LENS Consulting Firm & Michelle Lenore Enterprises assists women & minority small businesses gain thousands to millions of dollars in contracts from the government sector and corporate industries.
She helps to create their professional persona to be presented to receive both government & corporate contracts that will transform their business in legacy, profitability, and community.

Greetings Everyone!  Today I have the pleasure of having Mrs. Tasha Hairston Springs as a guest on our show.  Tasha is the Founder of Texting Is Risky Business.  If you want to hear someone that has taken an unfortunate situation and turned it into a purposeful mission.  This is the episode to listen to.  Tasha is making big strides daily in her fight against texting while driving.  In this episode you will hear a little history about herself and the mission she is set out to conquer and so much more.  It will definitely leave you inspired.  So, kick back, relax and let's join in with Tasha to learn more!

Founder

Tasha Hairston Springs is the founder of Texting Is Risky Business located in Winston Salem, N.C. Tasha is also a survivor of distracted driving. We here at T.I.R.B provide fleet management companies with proactive solutions to help keep their fleets safe. We use the M.A.D program (Mindful Aware Drivers) a 21-day prevention program to help instill a culture of safety. We use meditation and prayer to set our intentions on breaking the bad habit of using mobile devices while driving. Our mission and purpose is to eradicate all mobile device use in CMV. We have joined with Vision Zero N.C. and Hands Free N.C. and the Independent insurance agents of N.C. We have been featured on ABC, CBS and AAA Carolinas. If you are interested in finding out more our contact information is www.textingisriskybusiness.com or email textingisriskybusiness@gmail.com Thank you!

If you want to hear someone full of passion for the youth and trucking community, then this is the episode!  Today's guest is Mr. Dave Dein, Instructor and Co-Founder of Next Gen in Trucking.  Dave and Next Gen in Trucking, goal, is to help educate the youth about the trucking industry and help schools across the country with similar programs to the one at Patterson High School.  You will hear in his voice the passion and joy that he has for the youth in preparing them for careers in the trucking industry.  I am so honored to have such a great guy on our podcast.  Sit back and relax and you will learn a lot! 

Website: https://www.nextgentrucking.org/

Instructor/Co-founder of Next Gen in Trucking

Started trucking in 1988 and ended up using trucking to pay my way through college. After being called into teaching I started a non-profit truck driving school ministry in 2006 called Faith Logistics where I would train recently released inmates from prison. After dissolving the non-profit in 2016 I started one of the nation's first high school truck driving programs. In 2021 I co-founded the nonprofit called the Next Generation in Trucking Association. Our goal is help educate the youth about the trucking industry and help schools in starting similiar programs to the one at Patterson High School.

I had the pleasure of interviewing a gracious gentleman that has offered such support and advice to me as a fellow podcaster.  Our guest today, is Mr. Jamie Irvine, Host of The Heavy-Duty Parts Report.  On today's episode, Mr. Irvine shares a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the Heavy-Duty parts industry, his take on the trucking industry as a whole, and much, much, more.  You don't want to miss out on (ALL) this knowledge and wisdom shared by Mr. Irvine in this episode.  Grab your favorite beverage, relax, and enjoy!

Website: https://heavydutypartsreport.com/

Host | Consultant

Jamie Irvine began working in the heavy-duty parts industry in 1998. He is a serial entrepreneur, marketing consultant, and host of the industry-leading podcast The Heavy-Duty Parts Report.

We had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing Mrs. Jerri Banks, Owner and Founder of Life on the Road Recruiting & Transportation Services.  Mostly known as Mrs. Jerri in the Trucking industry.  In this interview, Mrs. Jerri shares how her life was impacted by a "Second Chance" opportunity, as well as never before released insight to her vision for Life on the Road Recruiting and Transportation Services.  So, kick back, relax, and enjoy this awesome interview with Mrs. Jerri!

Website: https://www.lotrrecruiting.com/

Owner

Jerri Banks is the Owner and Founder of Life on the Road Recruiting & Transportation Services, a full-service truck driver recruitment agency. In addition, Mrs. Jerri also founded Life on the Road Recruiting University, where she educates and mentors new truck driver recruiters on driver sourcing, as well as trucking companies on how to source and retain their truck drivers. Known widely in the trucking industry as Mrs. Jerri, she has spent well over 24 years in transportation in various capacities; Trainer & Facilitator, Conference Keynote Speaker, Panelist, Operations Manager and now Entrepreneur.

From her speaking engagements at truck driving schools to her social media platforms and YouTube channel, Life on the Road Recruiting, Mrs. Jerri spends countless hours educating truck drivers and companies about various topics in the trucking industry. She places a particular focus and has niched her agency down to supporting drivers that have had a violation in the DOT/FMCSA's Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Mrs. Jerri has the only platform in the trucking industry that is educating truck drivers on the possibility of gaining employment after a violation in the clearinghouse. She has been told by many truck drivers that she is a voice to the voiceless and hope for those that have lost all hope of continuing a career in truck driving after a violation.

The bulk of her career in transportation was spent as a Senior Leader at a private aviation company called Universal Weather and Aviation, where she led a team of Trip Support and Regulations Specialists whose sole focus was to work with private aircraft owners and various government entities within the US and across the globe to create their flight plans, weather packages, and successfully secure permits to overfly different countries.

In 2017, Jerri officially 'retired' from Corporate America and set out to blaze a new path for herself with the aim to devote more time to her family and the youth basketball and community service organization that she runs alongside her husband called the Houston D1 Hornets. Shortly after her departure from corporate, Mrs. Jerri opened her Truck Driver Recruiting agency where she and her team have helped countless drivers and companies connect. During a historic truck driver shortage, Jerri and her team take extreme pride in having connected hundreds of drivers with a trucking company to call home.

What an episode with Mrs. DeShontae Morgan the CEO of D. Gray Trucking & Hauling.  Not only will you learn a little about herself, but you will also receive some valuable information on learning how to enhance operations by implementing systems for Truck Safety & Compliance, DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing, and Training, and more.  Tune in, relax, and enjoy!    

Website: https://dgraytruckhaul.com/

Owner/Compliance Director

I wear many hats, but I am most proud of being a wife and a mother! D. Gray Trucking & Hauling Services, LLC is named after my 14-year-old son DeSean Gray. I would like to show my kids how to achieve greatness by putting their best foot forward!
I am sharing my business and finance knowledge to elevate people, not just those in my community, but around the world by helping transportation owners create business systems that free up time and improve profits. My 15 years of experience includes working for Fortune 500 companies within Banking, Portfolio Management, Commercial Real Estate, and Commercial Equipment. My transportation industry specialty includes Driver Safety Compliance, DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing, and Training.
One of my missions is to become a leader in my community that affects positive change by instilling pride, hope, and success. I cannot solve all the issues faced alone that is why I value the help and support of other individuals like myself. I believe my contributions will advance diversity, equality, and inclusion while creating a respectful workplace at D. Gray Trucking & Hauling Services. ~

John Rediehs is CEO and founder of Red Dog Logistics Inc. From growing up around the trucking industry, it fueled John into having a passion which resulted in him opening his own brokerage, which has grown from $0 in sales in 2012 to a 30 million+ Corporation here in 2021. Tune in, to learn more about John and Red Dog Logistics.

Website: https://reddoglogisticsinc.com/

CEO

John Rediehs, CEO and founder of Red Dog Logistics Inc., is the 4th generation product of a successful family transportation business. John grew up around the trucking industry and his passion grew into him opening his own brokerage, securing his authority in late 2012. Red Dog Logistics has grown from $0 in sales in 2012 to a 30Millions+ Corporation here in 2021. When John got started, he had recruited just two others to help him grow and get the ball rolling. From 3 guys, 3 computers, 3 phones, they started calling to secure freight and forge business relationships.

Over the years Red Dog has continued to reinvent itself and now is a full-service logistics company heavily invested in digital solutions, customer satisfaction, and proprietary transportation technology.

Today, Red Dog is in active growth mode, with over 65 employees working both in the U.S. and abroad. In addition to our HQ in Chicago, our Grand Rapids office is our second major hub, where we house our sales and accounting divisions. As Red Dog continues to grow from pup to DOG, our goal is to double revenue year over year while maintaining a customer first mentality.

Precious Norman-Walton is the President and Co-Founder of Lovejoy Risk Management Corp, an Independent Insurance Brokerage in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metro area. With over 15 years of experience, and seven professional designations, she has served the industry in many roles, such as claims, underwriting, risk management and sales.  Tune in, you don't want to miss this podcast interview!

Website: https://lovejoyriskmanagement.com/

President

Precious is the President and Co-Founder of Lovejoy Risk Management Corp, an Independent Insurance Brokerage in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metro area. With over 15 years of experience, and seven professional designations, she has served the industry in many roles, such as claims, underwriting, risk management and sales.

Tune in to learn about how My Own Lane Consultants LLC, provides guidance to the motor carrier owner with 3 years or less experience to help him/her avoid common pitfalls of starting a trucking company.  Plus much more!

Website: https://myownlaneconsultants.com/

CEO

Ladda Love Hawkins is The Trucking Gospel Chaplain. She is a certified chaplain with I.F.O.C. (International Federation of Chaplains – TX) and ordained minister under Soul Winners International Ministries (NC). Ladda enjoys serving in workplace ministry and uses her talents to bring people together on social media. She enjoys working with technology and has been working from home since 2016.
Ladda possesses a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management and a Graduate certificate in conflict management. Before trucking, she was a high school special education educator and home-school advocate.

Tyler Robertson, Founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, an industry game changer. I worked at commercial truck dealerships my entire career and throughout those years, I’ve seen commercial trucks become more and more complex, and more difficult to diagnose, which has become a problem, so I wanted to fix that problem. I started selling diagnostic tools and now Diesel Laptops has expanded from selling on eBay in my garage to over $50 million/year in revenue with 200 employees doing it the hard way - Without raising capital. We now offer all kinds of platforms both internet-based, mobile apps, we have training classes, we do parts information, we do diagnostic tools, we also have a live call center, we now do all kinds of stuff.

Website: https://www.diesellaptops.com/

CEO

Tyler Robertson, Founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, an industry game changer. I worked at commercial truck dealerships my entire career and throughout those years, I’ve seen commercial trucks become more and more complex, and more difficult to diagnose, which has become a problem, so I wanted to fix that problem. I started selling diagnostic tools and now Diesel Laptops has expanded from selling on eBay in my garage to over $50 million/year in revenue with 200 employees doing it the hard way - Without raising capital. We now offer all kinds of platforms both internet-based, mobile apps, we have training classes, we do parts information, we do diagnostic tools, we also have a live call center, we now do all kinds of stuff.