Trucking for Millennials

Welcome to another exciting episode of Trucking for Millennials, where we dive into the future of freight and the evolving landscape of the trucking and logistics industry. We open the show with a big announcement about the future of the Trucking For Millennials Podcast, followed by our interview with our guest, TruckingWithTay. TruckingWithTay is a popular figure in the trucking industry with a massive following on YouTube and Instagram. Tay has nearly 100,000 subscribers on YouTube and over 13,000 followers on Instagram. His engaging personality, dedication to his family, and serious yet fun approach to his business have made him a beloved figure in the community.

Tay shares his journey from being a salesman for Pepsi to becoming a truck driver. He talks about the long hours and limited growth opportunities at Pepsi, which led him to explore trucking as a career. Starting with Maverick Transportation, Tay quickly transitioned to becoming an owner-operator, a role he has embraced despite its challenges.

Tay discusses the ups and downs of being an owner-operator, including the financial uncertainties and the need for money management. He shares a personal story about investing heavily in the stock market and crypto, which led to significant losses. Tay emphasizes the importance of reinvesting in oneself and making smart financial decisions.

Balancing work and family life is a recurring theme in this episode. Tay talks about the importance of making the most of the time he spends with his family, especially his two daughters. He shares tips on staying connected with his family while on the road, such as using FaceTime and making quality time count when he's home.

Tay offers his perspective on success, which he defines as growth and the ability to look back and see how far you've come. He stresses that success is not just about financial gains but also about personal fulfillment and family happiness.

Looking ahead, Tay expresses his desire to transition to a role that allows him to spend more time at home. He envisions moving into a position behind a desk or taking on local work to be closer to his family.

This episode is a testament to Tay's resilience, optimism, and dedication to his family and career. His journey offers valuable insights for anyone in the trucking industry, whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business.

Thank you for tuning in to Trucking for Millennials. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and let us know your thoughts. Stay subscribed for more inspiring stories and industry insights. Until next time, keep trucking!

In this episode of the Trucking for Millennials podcast, we dive deep into the benefits and implementation of dash cams in the trucking industry. 

Our guest, Josh Lovan from J. J. Keller, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He shares his insights on why dash cams are crucial for carriers, emphasizing that they not only help in eliminating accidents but also provide invaluable evidence that can save time and money in court. Josh explains that 70% of accidents involving trucks are not the truck driver's fault, and having video evidence can immediately negate false claims, thus protecting both the driver and the company.

We also explore the technology behind these dash cams, including AI features that can detect events like rolling through stop signs. Josh highlights the importance of using these videos for coaching rather than discipline, to improve driver safety and performance. He shares his experience in implementing a dash cam system at his previous company, where transparency and focusing on illegal activities like cell phone use and not wearing seatbelts helped gain driver buy-in.

The episode also touches on the broader implications of dash cams beyond just trucking, noting that they can be beneficial for any fleet, including hotshot drivers and work trucks in the oil and gas industry. We wrap up with a discussion on the return on investment for carriers, with statistics showing that fleets using dash cams see lower legal fees and reduced risk of litigation.

Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how dash cams can transform safety and efficiency in the trucking industry, making it a must-listen for anyone involved in fleet management. Any information provided by J. J. Keller's in-house transportation expert during the segment is intended to lend technical knowledge. J. J. Keller does not provide legal, accounting, or regulatory advice and does not warrant that every statement made by the in-house transportation expert is accurate.

In this episode of the Trucking for Millennials podcast, we dive deep into the world of logistics and freight brokerage with our special guest, Thomas Werdine from ThinkFreight.io. Thomas shares his extensive experience in the industry, providing valuable insights for both brokers and carriers.

Thomas emphasizes that not all brokers are bad and many genuinely care about their carriers, sometimes even more than their shipper relationships. He explains the importance of treating carriers well, paying fair detention rates, and maintaining strong relationships to ensure smooth operations.

Thomas takes us through his career journey, starting from his early days in the automotive industry as a Corvette specialist to his transition into logistics. He shares his experiences working at TQL, a major brokerage, and later at a startup brokerage, Full Sail. His insights into the differences between large and small brokerages are particularly enlightening.

Thomas provides an inside look at the training and onboarding process at TQL, highlighting their in-depth training modules and hands-on experience. He discusses the importance of learning from experienced brokers and the structured approach that helped him succeed in the industry.

For those contemplating a career in logistics, Thomas offers advice on choosing the right brokerage. He suggests looking for companies with good training programs and avoiding those with restrictive non-compete clauses.

Thomas identifies niche opportunities in the freight industry, such as power-only and reefer LTL produce. He explains the challenges and benefits of these niches and why they present significant opportunities for brokers willing to specialize.

Thomas underscores the importance of social media for carriers, advising them to use platforms like LinkedIn to build credibility and showcase their operations. He shares tips on how carriers can differentiate themselves and build trust with brokers.

Thomas talks about his transition from traditional brokerage roles to the tech side of the industry at FreightWaves. He shares his experience selling Sonar, a tech product, and how it differed from his previous roles.

Finally, Thomas discusses his decision to launch ThinkFreight.io, a newsletter that provides valuable insights and summaries of freight industry news. He explains the motivation behind starting the newsletter and how it aims to help industry professionals stay informed without getting overwhelmed by information.

This episode is packed with practical advice and insider knowledge, making it a must-listen for anyone in the logistics and freight industry.

Welcome back to another episode of the Trucking for Millennials podcast! Today, we kicked things off by discussing the logistics of a coast-to-coast load moving from Florida to California. We speculated on whether the route would go through I-20 or I-10 and highlighted the importance of tracking technology for such long hauls.

Next, we delved into the logistics of the ongoing Olympics in Paris. We marveled at the sheer scale of the operation, from managing 170,000 pallets to handling 60,000 pieces of luggage and 1.3 million items of furniture.

We then shifted gears to discuss the political landscape, focusing on Kamala Harris's VP pick, Governor Tim Walz. We reviewed his history with trucking-related legislation, including his efforts to allow VA physicians to perform DOT physicals, attempts to repeal the federal excise tax on trucks, and his involvement in the Vision Zero Act. We also compared his impact on the trucking industry to that of Donald Trump's VP pick, J.D. Vance, noting the differences in their approaches and legislative successes.

In the latter part of the episode, we analyzed the 2024 Inbound Logistics 3PL Perspectives Report. We discussed the top issues shippers face, the reasons for failed 3PL partnerships, and the ongoing debate between prioritizing price versus service. We also shared our thoughts on whether shippers should partner with one or more 3PLs, emphasizing the importance of building strong, like-minded relationships in the logistics industry.

To wrap up, we reflected on the complexities and challenges of the logistics business, highlighting the need for resilience and adaptability.

In this episode, we dive into the world of truck driving and recruitment with our special guest, Kameel Gaines, founder and CEO of Rig on Wheels Broker and Recruitment Services. 

Kameel shares her journey into the trucking world, starting from her living room in Chicago to building a successful recruitment business in Houston. She emphasizes the importance of treating truck drivers with respect and advocating for their needs, drawing from her personal experiences and family background in trucking.

We also discuss the current state of the trucking industry, touching on the economic outlook and the evolving expectations for professional truck drivers. Kameel stresses the need for continuous education and staying motivated, especially in challenging times.

The conversation takes a deeper dive into the role of younger generations in trucking, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the barriers that still exist for young drivers. Kameel calls for more serious and genuine efforts to integrate young people into the industry, rather than token gestures.

Finally, we highlight Kameel's work with the Rig on Wheels show, where she focuses on recruitment and retention in the trucking industry, providing valuable resources and insights for both drivers and companies.

Overall, this episode is a rich blend of personal stories, industry insights, and passionate advocacy for the future of trucking. Kameel's no-nonsense approach and deep commitment to the industry make for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion.

Vance's Stance (Freight Caviar article) https://www.freightcaviar.com/vances-stance/

Welcome back to another episode of the Truckin' for Millennials podcast! In this episode, we dive back into the concept of Hot Trucker Summer and explore how truck drivers can maintain their health and fitness while on the road. We revisit our relationships with returning guests Michael Lombard and Mark Manera, as well as welcome first time guest Brandon Rothrock of B-Lean Fitness to the show to cover even more trucking health tips.

In this episode of the Trucking for Millennials Podcast, we dive deep into the world of truck driving education with our special guest, D'Wayne Shaw, Executive Dean of Professional and Career Education at Kilgore College. We kick off the conversation by discussing the importance of choosing the right place to get your CDL and the credentials to look for in a truck driving school. D'Wayne emphasizes the significance of FMCSA-certified curriculums and the quality of equipment used in training.

We then explore the exciting new development at Kilgore College: the Transportation Institute. D'Wayne shares the journey of establishing this institute, highlighting the community effort and collaboration with Kilgore Economic Development. The institute boasts a custom-built driving skills facility, complete with a classroom, warehouse for logistics training, and a simulated loading dock. This state-of-the-art facility aims to provide top-notch training for aspiring truck drivers.

D'Wayne also touches on the challenges and investments involved in setting up a truck driving program, from acquiring and maintaining trucks to ensuring a safe and effective learning environment. He explains the process of becoming a third-party testing site, which allows Kilgore College to test their students on-site, significantly reducing the wait time for testing.

We discuss the demographics of the students enrolling in the CDL program, noting that most are older individuals making a career change rather than recent high school graduates. D'Wayne mentions the importance of maturity and experience in handling the responsibilities of truck driving.

Towards the end of the episode, we touch on the potential for future courses focused on entrepreneurship and business management for those looking to become owner-operators. D'Wayne expresses interest in expanding the curriculum to include these aspects, recognizing the importance of business acumen in the trucking industry.

Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the efforts and innovations at Kilgore College to enhance truck driving education and support the logistics industry. We invite our listeners to join us for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 14th and to consider Kilgore College for their CDL training needs.

In this episode of the Trucking for Millennials podcast, we're coming at you from the Texas Trucking Show at the NRG Center in Houston. The event has been a fantastic opportunity to connect with a diverse range of people in the trucking industry, from open deck carriers to industry friends and new acquaintances.

We kick off the episode by discussing the vibrant atmosphere of the show and the numerous connections we've made. We then dive into a series of interviews with various industry professionals:

1. Willie Nelson from CDL Life: Willie talks about CDL Life's mission to connect drivers, fleet owners, and owner-operators through their news platform and app. He highlights the importance of community and safety in the trucking industry, especially for women drivers.

2. Rob Carpenter: Rob shares his unique experience of driving a truck to the show and emphasizes the importance of good equipment and driver retention.

3. Justin Lu from Truckpedia: Justin introduces Truckpedia, a TMS that connects trucking companies directly with shippers. He offers valuable advice on how carriers can effectively communicate with shippers and build lasting relationships.

4. Courtney George from Wreaths Across America: Courtney explains the mission of Wreaths Across America to honor veterans by delivering wreaths across the country. She emphasizes the importance of respect and community service in the trucking industry.

5. Dave Olson from Riggie's Truck Parking: Dave discusses the premium services offered at Riggie's Truck Parking locations and the strategic placement of their lots to maximize driver efficiency and safety.

6. Harold Cutler and Jorge Mendoza from Truth in Trucking Podcast: Harold and George talk about their podcast and their expertise in trucking insurance and FMCSA compliance. They highlight the importance of maintaining good safety scores and compliance to keep insurance rates manageable.

Throughout the episode, we explore themes of community, safety, respect, and the importance of building strong relationships within the trucking industry. The Texas Trucking Show has provided a rich backdrop for these conversations, and we look forward to continuing to make new friends in freight.

In this episode of the Trucking for Millennials Podcast, we dive deep into the challenges and strategies for small trucking companies and freight brokerages with our guest, Tyson Lawrence, CEO of Diablo Freight Ventures. Tyson shares his extensive experience in the logistics industry, spanning over 20 years, and offers invaluable advice for those navigating the complexities of freight management and transportation.

We kick off the conversation by addressing the current struggles of small trucking companies, especially those heavily reliant on brokered freight. Tyson emphasizes the importance of not being afraid to take a step back to reassess and realign business strategies. He shares his personal journey, including the lessons learned from his first business that went bankrupt due to over-reliance on a single large customer.

Tyson also highlights the significance of finding a niche in the logistics industry. He explains how his second business found success by focusing on small to medium-sized businesses and acting as a coach and consultant to help them scale their logistics operations. This approach not only built strong relationships but also established his company as a trusted partner.

Throughout the episode, Tyson underscores the importance of hiring the right personalities for a freight brokerage. He shares insights on the attributes that make a successful team member, such as resilience, coachability, and a willingness to learn. Tyson's experience at C.H. Robinson taught him the value of building a team with like-minded individuals who can adapt to the challenges of the logistics industry.

Tyson's story serves as an inspiration for entrepreneurs in the logistics sector. His journey from a W-2 employee to a successful business owner demonstrates the power of perseverance, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Whether you're a small trucking company looking to diversify your customer base or a freight brokerage aiming to carve out a niche, Tyson's insights provide a roadmap for sustainable growth and success in the logistics industry.

Tune in to learn more about Tyson's new venture, Diablo Freight Ventures, and how he's leveraging his experience to provide innovative and customized solutions for freight management and transportation. Happy 4th of July to all our listeners, and drive safely out there!