What if growing your trucking company wasn’t about overnight success, but building a playbook that stands the test of time?

In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, Anthony Villanueva, a seasoned logistics professional with 18 years in the trenches, shares his story of transitioning from mortgages to mastering freight, along with his lessons in building relationships, staying persistent, and scaling sustainably. Anthony’s advice for owner-operators and small fleets is direct and real-world: from the power of focused sales strategies to the dangers of growing too quickly. His approach to mentorship, networking, and evolving with technology reveals what it really takes to thrive in trucking today.

Whether you’re just getting started or aiming to grow a small fleet into a real enterprise, this episode is full of insights and practical strategies to help you do it right.

Like what you hear? Be sure to like, subscribe, and share the show with others in the trucking world.

🎧 Episode Timestamps 📍 00:00:00 – Meet Anthony Villanueva: From mortgages to trucking 📍 00:01:22 – Building relationships in Kansas City’s tight-knit logistics community 📍 00:03:28 – Making the leap from mortgages to freight and what Anthony learned 📍 00:06:23 – How mentors shaped Anthony’s freight career 📍 00:08:22 – The power of focusing on specific industries and staying persistent 📍 00:11:42 – The biggest mistakes small carriers make early on 📍 00:13:30 – Mapping growth from one truck to five - and beyond 📍 00:16:15 – Why networking is your currency in trucking 📍 00:20:35 – Embracing technology and evolving your processes 📍 00:25:15 – Reflections on the rapid pace of tech in logistics 📍 00:31:16 – The real impact of technology adoption for small fleets 📍 00:33:41 – Where the market is today and where it might be headed 📍 00:35:55 – Why Anthony loves this industry and why he’s sticking around 📍 00:37:37 – How to connect with Anthony for mentorship and insights

🎙 About Our Guest Anthony Villanueva has spent nearly two decades working across the freight and logistics landscape, from cold calling and sales to leading capacity teams and helping small carriers find their way in a competitive market. A proud Kansas City native and youth basketball coach, Anthony’s approach to the business blends relentless persistence with a deep respect for the people and networks that keep freight moving. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-villanueva-cornerstonesystems/

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🎤 Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Miles and Mentors isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement built on real stories, tactical insights, and mentorship that fuels the next generation of trucking leaders. Reach out: [email protected]