Coffee w/#The Freight Coach

Want to learn more about refrigerated freight for the food and beverage industry? Listen to this week's last guest, Michael Cherney, the co-founder and CEO of Cooler Logistics! Michael shares his shift from the financial services sector to founding Cooler Logistics, their company's strategic focus on small to mid-sized customers, innovative operational approaches using technology, and the importance of customer retention and consistent pricing strategies!   About Michael Cherney Michael Cherney is a proven leader in the logistics industry with 16 years of experience. He holds a master's degree in Global Supply Chain Management and a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. Known for his exceptional leadership, Michael, a first time CEO, leads a diverse team of experienced logistics professionals aiming to provide an exceptional experience to their carrier and customer partners alike. With an ideal customer profile of SMBs in the F&B vertical, his subject matter expertise in shipping fresh and frozen products shines.    Connect with Michael Website: https://www.coolerlogistics.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcherney/  

Today, you'll hear more market trends within the trucking industry, sales prospecting strategies, implementing better financial planning, and leveraging AI for operational efficiency! Tune in so you won't miss an episode that is valuable for your freight business!  

Listen to our featured guest today, Scooter Sayers of Cubiscan, sharing their role in the logistics industry, their four decades of journey, and Cubiscan's advanced automated dimensioning systems! Scooter delves into the upcoming National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) changes, the importance of shippers understanding these changes to minimize invoice discrepancies and optimize pallet dimensioning processes, and the impact of digital transformation in the industry!   About Scooter Sayers Scooter graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.  He, his wife, and his cat named Princeton currently reside in northeast Georgia. He began his career in transportation with ABF Freight in 1991 as a Pricing Analyst, progressing through several positions including Director – Rating & Traffic Services.  In this latter role, he held responsibility for 100 employees in the corporate office as well as the Weighing & Research team spread across the ABF Freight network.  He developed the LTL industry's first density-based tariff in 1993. Scooter is a former member of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) where he served as Chairman of the Weighing and Research Committee and Chairman of the Outreach Committee.  He also served as a member of NMFTA's Weighing & Research Association.  He is a two-time winner of ABF Freight's President's Club.  He is a member of the Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineers. Following a 25-plus year career at ABF Freight and ArcBest Corporation, Scooter spent 3 years in the 3PL and freight brokerage space with several companies.  He then formed Sayers Logistics LLC, an LTL transportation consultancy, to deliver LTL solutions by working with shippers, carriers, trade organizations, 3PLs, and technology providers to help move the LTL industry forward.    Scooter is currently employed at Cubiscan, a leader in freight dimensioning solutions, as their Business Development Director – LTL Solutions.  He spends his days speaking with shippers, carriers, and 3PLs to deploy solutions that maximize revenues and profits, minimize costs, and optimize systems. He enjoys running, the outdoors, BBQ cooking, supporting the special needs community, and following his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks.   Connect with Scooter Website: https://cubiscan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scootersayers/  

In this episode, we've invited a talent acquisition expert from Global Executive Solutions Group, Josiah DiPaolo, to discuss the intricacies of recruiting effective people within the transportation industry!  Tune in to hear his insights on the job market, the demand for specific freight expertise, particularly in sales roles, and his advice for freight businesses!   About Josiah DiPaolo Josiah is a Managing Director and within the Transportation, Logistics, & Supply Chain Management practices, with a focus in Intermodal, Drayage, and Port Logistics. Throughout his career in the executive search industry Josiah has established himself as a top resource in his respective niches in order to provide the top level of both search and consultative practices to his clients and candidates. Through a strong understanding of the industry both on a micro and macro level he is able to efficiently identify the right people and develop strong lasting relationships. Josiah has worked with over 50 organizations both domestically and globally and has been recognized as a top 10% performer within a nationwide network of 650+ executive recruiters for 2021, 2022, 2023, & 2024. As a Managing Director, Josiah's personal work consists of executive level & C-suite search, organizational mentorship, and strategic team building.   Connect with Josiah Website: https://gesg.com/  Email: jdipaolo@gesg.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-executive-solutions-group/  

What's the key to maintaining a core competency in freight and succeeding for a multi-generational family-owned trucking business? Today, we've got an incredible guest, Pamela Polyak of Polyak Trucking, and hear her real-world experience, business strategies, and commitment to industry improvement!   Some Takeaways From This Episode: Strategic Company Focus: Polyak Trucking, a family-owned business, has evolved from milk delivery to specialized in dry van, reefer, and intermodal operations. Customer base diversification strategy—ensuring no client exceeds 25% of total revenue to mitigate risks. Business Development Strategy: Diversifying shipper relationships and maintaining a core competency in full truckload services. The Midwest is the main geographic focus, with flexibility for dedicated lanes. Avoiding service overload improves operational efficiency and profitability. Compliance and Education: Compliance with FMCSA and DOT regulations is becoming increasingly complex. Pam Polyak's consulting firm focuses on mock DOT audits and compliance education for small fleets, addressing common gaps and enhancing knowledge in regulatory requirements like driver qualification and drug testing.  

Listen to our last guest this week, Rob Rajfer, the founder and CEO of Waggon, as he speaks about his entrepreneurial journey and success in the transportation industry!     Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Rob Rajfer's Entrepreneurial Journey: Rob transitioned from a career at C.H. Robinson to founding Waggon with Tyler Sala. Launched in May 2023, catalyzed by market downturns and a risk-taking mindset post-capital raise from friends and family. Waggon's Growth Metrics: Bootstrapped from personal savings, Waggon achieved $3M in top-line revenue in its first six months and targets 6x growth in the second year, with ambitions to 3x again. Emphasis on talent and processes over tech complexity is vital to this growth. Key Industry Insights: Rob identifies M&A as significant for industry consolidation, benefiting fragmented small brokerages. Automation and AI will enhance back-office functions, but human interaction remains crucial in sales and customer service for maintaining competitive edge.   About Rob Rajfer Robert received his BA in Liberal Arts and Business Management from Indiana University and his MS in Law from Northwestern University. Robert has worked in the supply chain / logistics industry for the past five years. Robert spent the first three years of his career at C.H. Robinson (NASDAQ: CHRW) and the following years at Flock Freight (backed by SoftBank, Google Ventures, and Signal Fire). In conjunction with his work in supply chain / logistics, Robert is the Managing Partner of Seconds Capital LLC, a boutique micro VC.  

In this episode, Joe Ohr and Holly Taylor let us explore the powerful features of NMFTA's new freight classification tool, the ClassIT+! Don't miss out on this discussion to hear how ClassIT+ can help navigate NMFC changes!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: ClassIT+ Launch: Significant focus on the upcoming NMFC code changes with a rollout date of July 19, 2025 and industry urged to prepare using new tools. User-Centric Development: ClassIT+ aims for modernized classification with a user-friendly interface. Positive beta feedback shows high intuitiveness; the knowledge base supports with 150+ articles to assist users. Operational Readiness: Organizations need proactive communication regarding NMFC changes, especially for packaging/density impacts. NMFTA provides resources for shippers, carriers, and brokers to avoid disruptions and ensure smoother transitions.   Visit the Links Below! https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes/nmfc-item-lookup-tool https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes https://info.nmfta.org/classitplus  

Today, we'll talk about the keys to building strong and long-term client relationships with SPI Logistics' Mike Ghouleh! Learn the crucial role of having a support system and his own formula for success by listening to this episode!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Client Transparency: Mike emphasizes open cost sharing, building strong client trust despite not being the cheapest. Highlights support team's role in client care as crucial for success. Sales Strategy: Mike advocates for a quality-focused client base over volume, aligning service delivery with client needs. Resilience and Growth: Overcoming setbacks and maintaining a long-term vision, the importance of personal fitness, support systems, and a clear 'why' to combat burnout and sustain motivation.  

How powerful is it to leverage platforms to vet potential business partners in freight? Let's hear it from Robert Light of CarrierSource in this episode!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Industry Insight on Accountability: Rob emphasizes mutual accountability & transparency as critical in freight. CarrierSource aims to empower small fleets/owner-operators lacking online visibility to ensure fair play in the industry. Importance of Online Reputation: Authentic reviews and SEO are shifting from traditional advertising, making a strong digital presence essential for brokers and carriers to stand out. Moderation and Authenticity Assurance: CarrierSource's review system mandates proof of business relationships for publishing reviews, allowing substantiated negative feedback. This balanced approach enhances credibility, vital for combating fraudulent or biased reviews.   About Robert Light Rob Light is the CEO and Co-founder of CarrierSource, the leading carrier review website where carriers and brokers build a fair reputation with customer reviews, and connect with their ideal shipper prospects. Over the last four years, Rob has led CarrierSource as the team has gathered 70,000+ reviews of carriers and brokers, and helped attract an audience of over 400,000 monthly visitors. CarrierSource is the only industry specific intent data platform that helps transportation providers hone in on their ideal customer persona, and target them when they are in the market for new logistics partners. Prior to starting CarrierSource, Rob was an early employee at the software review website G2.com. At G2, Rob saw the power of customer reviews and how small businesses could leverage the voice of their customers to compete with the largest companies in the space.   Connect with Robert Email: rob@carriersource.io  Website: https://www.carriersource.io/   

Did you miss listening to some expert insights featured on this show about leveraging AI and technology in your freight business? We're bringing Dhruv Gupta and Brad Hollister back on the podcast for a replay mashup episode to hear their goals in enhancing human capabilities and streamlining business processes through AI and tech!   Connect with Dhruv Website: https://www.drumkit.ai/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhruv4/ Connect with Brad Website: https://www.upwell.com/  Email: brad.hollister@upwell.com Watch Their Episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZpZbKdMoSk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exumEsL36FY  

In today's episode, Sean Smith is back for another valuable conversation about capital management strategies, cash flow optimization, and making wise financial decisions! Keep tuning in to the show!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Understanding Working Capital: Critical for business continuity; key sources include asset-based loans (lowest rates), AR lines/factoring, predatory factoring, and unsecured advances (highest rates). Match funding sources to needs to mitigate risks and costs. Emotional Decision-Making in Cash Management: Overpaying for capital or holding excess idle cash traps businesses. Regularly review expenses and maintain lean operations; avoid pitfalls of both excess and insufficient cash reserves. Optimizing Cash Flow and Payment Strategies: Leverage accounts receivable and manage payment timing to enhance liquidity. Recognize red flags (e.g., high credit utilization) and negotiate favorable payment terms to protect business interests. Set clear contracts and maintain open communication for effective relationship management.   About Sean Smith Sean Smith, VP of Product at Denim, has spent 10 years building and scaling products in the financial services and logistics industries. While leading Product at Denim, he has pioneered new capabilities for the factoring space including risk automation and pricing.  Sean has also led work on our client dashboard, job management and collaboration that have revolutionized the process and workflow for broker clients looking to save time on back office operations. He excels at combining his passion for technology with the ability to drive impact on a balance sheet.   Connect with Sean Website: https://www.denim.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithseanp/  Twitter (X): https://x.com/smithseanp  

Jeff Carlson of Cass Information Systems is back in today's episode to discuss the extended shipper payment cycle and its potential impact on startups and small carriers in the industry! Stay connected to the show for more market updates!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Freight Market Stabilization: Freight volumes and rates showing stability in 2024; CAS Freight Index indicates steady average transaction sizes. Minor fluctuations noted during events (e.g., DOT blitz week) may signal capacity shifts. Extended Shipper Payment Terms: Shippers shifting focus to cash position; increasing payment terms up to 120 days. Large enterprises favor financial stability with carriers, making it tougher for startups to enter the market without proven track records. Supply chain finance programs target transportation to improve liquidity. Impact on Small Carriers: Small/startup carriers advised to avoid enterprise shippers initially to build stability; extended receivables and large credit lines are essential for handling substantial accounts. Effective cash flow management is critical; recommend lines of credit or factoring to prevent negative cash flow amid extended payment terms.   About Jeff Carlson Jeff joined Cass Information Systems in April of 2019 as Vice President Global Sales & Marketing. Jeff joined Cass with more than 20 years' experience in the freight payment industry, where he served in several strategic management roles. While at U.S. Bank, he played a significant role in the development of key aspects of the PowerTrack solution, pricing model, and marketing and sales processes. He also was part of the supply chain finance team to help build out aspects of that service offering. Jeff also served as a vice president of the technology, consumer products/retail, and manufacturing industry verticals at freight payment provider Trax Technologies. Prior to his experience in the freight payment industry, Jeff spent time with Dart Trucking, Canadian Pacific Railroad after starting his career at Koch Industries. Website: https://www.cassinfo.com/  

How can you protect yourself as a freight broker from fraud and preserve relationships with trusted carriers? Tune in to this episode with Solomiya Tomkiv to learn more about WireBee and its power to streamline brokerage operations!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: WireBee's Mission & Background: WireBee's launch post-COVID to combat freight fraud, leveraging co-founder Andre's VoIP expertise. Targeting fraudulent actors to protect carriers is a core focus. Fraud Detection Mechanism: WireBee's system provides unique phone numbers for brokers, ensuring inbound calls are processed with real-time spoof detection. Integrates with tools like Highway and Carrier411 for compliance checks and alerts on suspicious multiple MC associations. Market Engagement Strategy: Building strong carrier relationships as a fraud defense. WireBee's future roadmap includes attending FreightWaves in November for customer feedback and engagement. Focus on phone-system agnosticism to accommodate all users, enhancing market reach.   About Solomiya Tomkiv Solomiya grew up immersed in the world of trucking, witnessing firsthand the challenges that carriers and brokers face daily. Her family's trucking business gave her early exposure to the complexities of logistics, from managing freight operations to navigating the industry's financial and operational hurdles. With a degree from JCU, Solomiya combined her industry knowledge with a strategic mindset, leading her to take on leadership roles in logistics and transportation. She co-founded FreightRate, a company focused on providing tailored logistics solutions, further deepening her expertise in freight management and supply chain optimization. Recognizing a major inefficiency in the freight brokerage space—reliance on manual phone calls for booking and tracking shipments—Solomiya saw an opportunity for innovation. She co-founded WireBee, an AI-powered communication platform designed to help freight brokers automate routine phone calls, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Under her leadership, WireBee is revolutionizing how brokers interact with carriers, improving response times, and streamlining operations across the industry.   Connect with Solomiya Website: https://www.wirebee.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wirebee/  

In this episode, Brent Hutto of Truck Parking Club joins us to share their initiative to address truck parking challenges and provide safe and efficient parking, targeting large and medium fleets! Listen to our conversation!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Truck Parking Club's Mission: Solving truck parking issues, from single-truck solutions to scalable options for fleets, and enabling property owners to monetize their land. Value Shift for Parking: Truck Parking Club aims to reposition paid parking as a profitability and risk management tool for fleets. The recent partnership with GenLogs enhances cargo theft recovery by supplying law enforcement with real-time parking data, thereby adding value for brokers and shippers. Legal Parking Importance: The necessity of legal parking to mitigate liability and avoid nuclear verdicts. The company is rapidly expanding, with over 2,000 locations and plans for 5,000, which aids operational efficiency. Integrating parking data into route planning helps maximize driver hours and profitability, reducing turnover and stress.  

Today, we'll talk about the power of outsourcing, how offshoring supports operational resilience, and the demand for high-quality offshore talent with Kyle Wilson of Thrivemodal!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Global Workforce Evolution: Shift from 'virtual assistant era' to 'worldwide workforce' allows companies to hire skilled professionals globally for a fraction of US costs.  Offshoring as a Scalability Strategy: Kyle emphasizes retaining key staff through offshoring, enabling Yellow Diamond to scale and remain profitable during downturns (e.g., COVID).  Thrivemodal's Efficient Placement Process: Clients receive pre-vetted candidates in under two weeks, with an average placement tenure of 3.6 years.   About Kyle Wilson For over a decade, I've been immersed in the dynamic worlds of strategic logistics and digital professionals, driven by an unwavering passion to help businesses thrive. As the founder of two successful companies, Thrivemodal and Yellow Diamond Logistics, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of seamless operations and a dedicated virtual workforce. At Thrivemodal, I've spearheaded the growth of a thriving virtual professional agency, connecting businesses across the US with exceptional talent from the Philippines. Our team of highly skilled global professionals seamlessly integrates into client operations, providing administrative, technical, and creative support that fuels business growth. My expertise in strategic logistics extends to Yellow Diamond Logistics, where I guide businesses in optimizing their supply chain operations. I relish the challenge of streamlining processes, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency, empowering my clients to achieve their strategic goals. Whether it's navigating the complexities of logistics or harnessing the power of global staffing, I'm committed to empowering businesses to reach their full potential. I believe in forging strong partnerships, fostering innovation, and cultivating a culture of excellence. When I'm not strategizing in the logistics landscape or steering the Thrivemodal ship, you'll find me exploring new horizons. Let's connect and explore how Yellow Diamond Logistics and Thrivemodal can contribute to the narrative of your business journey.   Connect with Kyle Website: https://thrivemodal.com/ / https://www.yellowdiamondconsulting.com/ Email: kyle@thrivemodal.com  

In the last episode of this week, we've got Cody Koehler returning to the show to explain the impact of DOT Blitz Week on freight brokers and customers, and some trends in the market that you should know!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: DOT Blitz Week Impact: Significant capacity crunches & rate spikes noted; brokers can leverage this time to solidify customer relations, even at a loss. Proactive carrier sourcing essential; reactive strategies expose operational gaps. Insights indicate future market volatility trends. Carrier Relationships & Rate Management: Premium rates are necessary during peak weeks to maintain capacity. Lack of support during tough weeks risks business loss to competitors. Key differentiators: tender acceptance & customer communication. Short-term losses viewed as long-term investments for relationship growth. Market Trends & Data Interpretation: Identify market shifts by tracking rate/capacity changes post-major events. Observations indicate weak fresh produce demand; diversification into dry, frozen, and dairy/deli sectors recommended. Notable muted demand in flatbed/open deck freight tied to construction commodities. Sales Strategy & Prospect Engagement: Consistency in prospecting, such as 50 cold calls/day, remains crucial despite high rejection rates. Establishing relationships early positions brokers for future opportunities. Increased cold call receptiveness observed; onboarding paperwork should be completed proactively. Final Recommendations: Proactively set up shippers with necessary documentation, even without immediate loads. Relationship building and preparedness against market shifts crucial for future success. Highlights contact info for Cody Kaler and encouragement to connect.   About Cody Koehler Cody is a 21-year veteran in supply chain/logistics. He has done just about everything in this industry minus holding his CDL (he did drive a yard dog though). In his current role, he oversees the sales and marketing teams for A&Z trucking, a 20-year old brokerage that specializes in produce and reefer freight, as well as cold storage and cross docking.   Connect with Cody LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-koehler-1a922b162/  Website: https://aandztrucking.com/  Email: info@aandztrucking.com  

If you're considering being an entrepreneur in freight, you must listen to this episode to better understand the realities of running a startup business!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Entrepreneurship Realities: The harsh truths of entrepreneurship; cautions against glorification and the need for thorough understanding before leaving stable employment. Entrepreneurs often risk starting with zero revenue/customers. Cash Flow Challenges: Cash flow as the leading cause of business failure; aspiring entrepreneurs should save aggressively beforehand. Financial strain including depleting savings and retirement accounts, and the importance of working with a CPA for financial planning. Networking: Networking and relationship building; participation in local business groups to build connections. Being strategic in networking and branding oneself can open up opportunities, reinforcing the idea that relationships are critical for success.  

In this episode, Bryan Nelson is back for another insightful conversation about the trucking and language laws, and today, he talks about English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and recent legal and regulatory changes!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: English Proficiency Requirements: Overview of 49 CFR 391.11, B2 emphasizes that drivers must read and speak English to interact with the public and understand road signs; historical enforcement aimed to be employer-based. Concerns raised by ACLU and EEOC about civil rights implications during 1997 proposed rulemaking. Recent Executive Actions: April 28 Executive Order 14286 mandates FMCSA to enforce English proficiency within 60 days; CVSA reinstates out-of-service criterion. Regulatory landscape shifts toward roadside inspections, raising concerns about subjective enforcement by officers across states, affecting consistency and compliance. Operational Risks & Compliance Strategies: Increased potential for fines (500 first offense, 1,000 subsequent) and business disruption due to English proficiency violations - influencing insurance coverages. Recommended strategies for carriers include proactive English training, updating compliance procedures, and monitoring regulatory developments closely to mitigate legal risks and business impacts.   About Bryan Nelson Bryan J. Nelson is a transportation and logistics attorney assisting clients in the development and review of transportation agreements, the resolution and mitigation of cargo claims, and the establishment of corporate compliance strategies in accordance with state and federal regulations.  Prior to joining Taylor Nelson, Bryan practiced as general counsel and served as a chief administrative officer in the transportation industry for over a decade, representing a family of companies that included a motor carrier, a third-party logistics corporation, and a transportation management system (TMS) provider. Bryan graduated from Stetson University earning his juris doctorate and his master's degree in business administration. He received his undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Finance from Florida State University.  With his hands-on experience in the transportation industry, Bryan recognizes and understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing transportation companies throughout the supply chain.   Connect with Bryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-j-nelson-esq-mba-59876b1b/  Email: bnelson@taylorlawpl.com  

Today, Joe Ohr is back on the show with NMFTA's Director of Operations, Keith Peterson, explaining what to expect from the upcoming NMFC changes and things every transportation professional must know by July 19, 2025! Never miss out on this conversation to stay updated!    Here's What to Learn From This Episode: NMFC Changes Urgency: Major NMFC changes effective July 19th will impact all brokers, carriers, and shippers. NMFTA provides resources at nmfta.org and nmfcchanges.com, including bulletins and checklists. Emphasis on Class IT Plus tool for compliance essential. Density-Based Classification Impact: Shift applies to 2,000+ items; requires accurate weight and dimensions for class assignment. Consolidation simplifies classification but may initially confuse users. Improved accuracy expected to reduce friction between shippers and carriers. Industry Communication Optimization: Changes offer chance to enhance shipper-carrier communication, creating competitive differentiation for proactive providers. Clearer standards will strengthen long-term partnerships, while proper preparation with accurate dimensions is critical to avoid disadvantages.   Visit the Links Below! https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes/nmfc-item-lookup-tool https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes https://info.nmfta.org/classitplus  

In this episode, Alex Bezzubets joins us today to highlight the reason behind founding a platform called myMechanic and its features, benefits for truck drivers, and how it resolves inefficiencies in the trucking business!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Inefficiencies in Trucking Repairs: Average wait time for roadside repairs is 4-4.5 hours due to siloed systems among major providers. myMechanic seeks to create a shared marketplace that streamlines access and visibility for service availability. Reduced Downtime Efficiencies: myMechanic reduces breakdown wait times by 40% by connecting drivers to available technicians in real-time, emphasizing that issues stem from poor connectivity, not a lack of mechanics. Comprehensive Service Integration: myMechanic combines diagnostics (photos/videos, fault codes) with a user-friendly interface for fleets, allowing service requests and updates without app downloads. The platform supports diverse services, from roadside repairs to preventative maintenance, and currently manages nearly 300,000 units and 1,000+ technicians.   About Alex Bezzubets Alex is the founder of a SAAS platform called myMechanic, which is designed to provide a quick and automated solution for roadside assistance for the logistics world. Alex is a tenacious, hands-on entrepreneur, experienced in sales, business development, and growth. Above all, he's a dynamic, multifaceted individual who is skilled at adding structure to ambiguity, with a keen eye for business opportunities.   Connect with Alex  Website: https://mymechanic.app/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-bezzubets-408533158/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/mymechanicinc/   Email: alex@mymechanic.app  

How does the changing market condition affect M&A in freight? Find out with our returning guest, Spencer Tenney from Tenney Group!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: M&A Market Trends: Current market volatility affecting M&A in freight; mixed industry responses—some waiting, others pursuing acquisitions. Tariffs and uncertainty driving cautious capital allocation decisions. Buy vs. Build Decisions: Companies often prefer M&A to build capabilities like AI due to tight margins and market challenges. Increased diligence in capital allocation noted as firms manage risk, with a cultural inclination towards acquisition over development. Cash Flow & Consolidation: Small transport businesses financially fragile, most operate month-to-month. Rising bankruptcies from cash flow issues. Industry consolidation growing as small operators exit or merge for increased profitability, driven by sustainability and risk factors.   About Spencer Tenney Spencer Tenney is President and CEO of the Tenney Group, a merger acquisition advisory firm dedicated to the transportation industry since 1973. The Tenney family has been serving the transportation industry for three generations. Spencer is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, He is also the only Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor (CM&AA) in North America that is dedicated exclusively to the transportation industry. Spencer and his team have closed hundreds of transportation business sales across the United States. Tenney Group clients are companies in the trucking, logistics, passenger transportation industries with annual revenues of 20M - 300M. Spencer's articles have been featured in Fleet Owner, Transport Topics, School Bus Fleet and many other industry publications. He is a sought-after speaker at national and state industry trade shows and currently serves as Chair of the American Trucking Association's M&A Task Force. Spencer and his wife Lauren reside outside of Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee. He enjoys songwriting and is actively involved in the Hope Clinic, a faith-based organization that equips women, men, and families to make healthy choices regarding unplanned pregnancies, depression, & addictions. He is also the founder of "Tuesdays with Tenney Group, a networking group designed to enrich relationships and business opportunities for Historic Downtown Franklin, TN professionals.   Connect with Spencer Website: https://www.thetenneygroup.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencertenney/  

Today, Jared Ross of eCarrierCheck is back on the show to give more valuable insights on how freight brokers can stand out and build a successful book of business in the market!   Here's What to Learn From This Episode: Sales Success Rooted in Relationships: Focus on controllable actions; consistently engage in sales calls. Genuine relationships remain critical for small/mid-sized brokerages despite technology. Operational excellence and understanding shipper pain points are vital for strong partnerships. Niche Market Targeting: Brokers should dominate niche or secondary markets instead of just major cities. Preparedness before cold calls (company research, qualifying questions) boosts effectiveness, with persistence essential for reaching decision-makers. Value-Driven Approach: Transition from commodity-based to value-driven conversations helps brokers stand out. Providing real-time market intelligence (spot vs. contract rates) builds trust with shippers and strengthens expertise.   About Jared Ross CEO, eCarrierCheck.com Jared is the visionary leader behind eCarrierCheck.com, bringing years of expertise in logistics and technology to the table. His passion for innovation and streamlining operations has been the driving force behind the platform's development. With a strong background in freight brokering and a commitment to helping brokers and carriers succeed, Jared is focused on building tools that enable the logistics industry to grow and thrive. Under his leadership, eCarrierCheck is empowering businesses to move beyond load boards and discover new opportunities.   Connect with Jared Website: https://ecarriercheck.com/  Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecarriercheck-com/  Jared's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-ross-31b0282a/  Nate's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-marquez-82b444224/  

Be motivated to achieve milestones in entrepreneurship and the transportation market by tuning in to this episode! Learn more about the importance of building systems, focusing on customers, having sales and business development strategies, evaluating ROI, and networking with like-minded people in the industry to thrive in a competitive environment!  

In this episode, you'll learn another effective strategy to simplify and optimize your sales as a freight broker with Salesdash CRM's founder, Josh Lyles! Josh highlights the benefits of using Salesdash CRM, the vital role of cold calling in freight sales, consistent follow-ups, and building relationships, and the importance of targeting small to medium-sized shippers, qualifying and disqualifying leads efficiently, and continuous prospecting!   About Josh Lyles Josh Lyles is the founder of Salesdash CRM, which is a sales CRM specific for freight brokerages, agencies, and asset-based companies. Josh has previous experience in sales management within freight brokerage and also at Tesla.    Connect with Josh Website: https://salesdashcrm.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshlyles/   

What mainly causes drivers' downtime, and how can they be eliminated? Join today's guest, Erik Malin of Tetro, for his entrepreneurship insights and his software solution's goal to enhance driver earnings through efficient scheduling and compensation models!   About Erik Malin Erik Malin (erik@tetro.one) is a freight tech founder and operator, currently building Tetro, an AI-native short-haul trucking fleet on a mission to boost driver earnings by eliminating wasted time. As a founding team member at Baton, he built and scaled operations from zero, launched a digital fleet, and later led the company's talent strategy as Head of Talent through its acquisition by Ryder in 2022. Before Baton, he architected Loadsmart's operational backbone, driving its growth from seed to Series B. Erik brings a rare combination of operational grit and talent instinct, known for building elite teams and high-performance systems that set a new bar for the logistics industry.  

As we close the week, we've got two amazing guests back on the show, Towns Agnew and Jonathan Sinton of Drayage Insight, sharing more of their expertise about the drayage market! This episode with Towns and Jonathan focuses on their customer-centric growth, the effectiveness of adapting products to market needs, challenges involving the drayage market, particularly its limited technology solutions, significant business planning challenges due to tariff policy volatility, financial resilience practices, and a new market intelligence tool!   About Jonathan Sinton and Towns Agnew Jon Sinton brings over 20 years of experience in international supply chain management to Dray Insight. His extensive career includes senior roles at Maersk, where he held positions in regional procurement, equipment flow, vessel capacity execution, trade management, and led the global out of gauge and break bulk cargo division. He also gained valuable startup experience at PortPro, a technology company developing a SaaS TMS platform specifically for drayage providers. Towns Agnew brings over 15 years of extensive experience in international and domestic supply chain roles to the table. His expertise spans drayage finance and operations, as well as ocean and rail operations, where he has excelled as a customer, operator, and financial specialist within the industry. This multifaceted background uniquely positions him to comprehend the nuanced challenges in drayage finance from various perspectives, including those encountered by founders and executives.   Connect with Jon and Towns Website: https://drayinsight.com/  Email: towns@drayinsight.com / jsinton@drayinsight.com  Town's Phone: 713 679 8472 Jon's Phone: 704 910 9926  

Why is it important to balance broker and carrier needs for long-term stability in freight? Tune in today with Truckstop's Todd Waldron! Todd joins the show to discuss the crucial element for carrier success, focusing on long-term relationships over short-term gains, the significance of proactive communication during market shifts, setting clear expectations and boundaries to mitigate issues, and improving connections and operational transparency through innovations!   About Todd Waldron Todd Waldron is the Vice President of Carrier Experience at Truckstop. Before joining Truckstop, he served as CEO of Minnesota-based Q Carriers, Inc., an asset-based transportation and logistics provider. He holds a degree in Business Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato. With nearly 12 years in transportation and logistics at two Fortune 500 companies, Todd has extensive experience in carrier procurement, account management, business development, branch operations, marketing, and technology development. His passion for people, innovation, and strategic leadership drives his commitment to improving the transportation experience for drivers and carriers.   Connect with Todd Website: https://truckstop.com/  Email: toddwaldron@truckstop.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-w-21897b19/  

Who really succeeds in a changing freight market environment? Find out by listening to Harish Abbott's journey in logistics! Harish explains the impact of innovation and adaptability in the industry's unpredictability, how AI tools transform operational efficiency and enable small businesses to scale without excessive headcount increases, and highlights persistence and learning from failures as crucial aspects of entrepreneurial success!   About Harish Abbott Harish Abbott is the Co-Founder and CEO of Augment, an AI-driven logistics platform transforming freight operations. In 2025, Augment secured $25 million in seed funding led by 8VC to develop its flagship product. Prior to launching Augment, Harish co-founded Deliverr, a fast-growing e-commerce fulfillment platform acquired by Shopify for $2.1 billion in 2022. His career includes pivotal roles at Amazon, where he contributed to building global fulfillment infrastructure. Harish holds degrees from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.   Connect with Harish Website: https://www.goaugment.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/habbott/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/habbott   

Today, Sam Agyemang talks about logistics awareness for startups, the crucial role of strategic partnerships in navigating market volatility and driving business growth, how ITF Group promotes underutilized drop trailer pools to enhance efficiency and revenue, and the potential impact of anticipated tariff changes!    About Sam Agyemang Sam Agyemang is the Director of Business Development & Sales at ITF Group. HaulerHub co-founder Sam Agyemang is dedicated to expanding ITF Group's market reach while strengthening client relationships. He leverages his extensive operational insights to develop and implement effective sales and outreach strategies, ensuring the company's continued growth and success in a competitive market.   Connect with Sam Website: https://itfgroup.com/ / https://haulerhub.com/ / https://www.fwd-now.com/  

For this week's first episode, we've got Joe Ohr and Mark Davis to discuss NMFC changes effective July 19, 2025, and simplifying LTL freight classifications! Joe and Mark covered new guides, webinars, and a lookup tool developed to assist brokers and shippers in understanding impacts and pricing, utilizing multiple outreach channels to educate about changes, industry demand driving changes, and more!   Visit the Links Below! https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes/nmfc-item-lookup-tool https://info.nmfta.org/2025-nmfc-changes https://info.nmfta.org/classitplus  

Today, we're live with SPI Logistics' Cristine Sills, Navneet Johal, and Shivrani Narayan, who are talking about claims handling, professionalism, fraud prevention, and carrier verification! Guests discuss how the SPI team manages complex claim issues to prevent escalation and safeguard agents from costly errors and potential disputes, uphold SPI's reputation, counter identity theft, and update their due diligence process!   About Cristine Sills, Navneet Johal, and Shivrani Narayan Manager of Client Services, Cristine Sills has been employed at SPI Logistics since January 2003. Cristine started her journey with SPI as an Accounts Receivable Supervisor.  Throughout her tenure, she has acquired diverse skills by cross-training in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and the Client Care Services department. This comprehensive knowledge has provided her with a unique vantage point on the company's operations, enabling her to contribute to the creation and development of a more integrated learning experience for the employees and independent business owners.  Manager of People and Culture, Navneet Johal has been a part of SPI Logistics since June 2023. In her role, she works collaboratively with her colleagues to ensure the highest level of service delivery to our esteemed agents. Her responsibilities encompass various aspects, including facilitating the smooth integration of new agent offices and their sub-reps, as well as configuring roles within the Salesforce Platform.  Operations Manager, Shivrani Narayan has been a part of SPI Logistics since July 2020. In her role, Shivrani is responsible for providing comprehensive training and support to our agents, particularly in utilizing our internal TMS system and addressing claims and insurance-related inquiries. With her expertise in claims management, Shivrani offers invaluable guidance on carrier vetting, emphasizing key factors to consider and warning signs to be cautious of.    Connect with SPI Phone: 866-744-7774  

In this episode, John Sutton of Sunset Transportation joins us to discuss tech adoption, essential tools for managing technology, and its current demand to prevent fraud in the industry! John also covers the keys to broker value, the importance of consistency in service experience, and handling exceptions effectively as a broker!   About John Sutton John C. Sutton is the Director, Corporate Strategy for Sunset Transportation. John's life-long background in transportation fuels his passion for driving efficiencies, eliminating process gaps and finding ways to make the lives of every Sunsetter easier. After nine (9) years with Sunset, John truly has “diesel in his blood.” John's mission is to ensure all Sunsetters are consistently able to meet the needs and expectations of Sunset's clients, carrier partners, and most importantly Sunset's team members. All while constantly chasing a better way to do so. In his free time you'll find John on a golf course, tackling a never-ending list of home improvement projects or spending time with his corgi, Winston.   Connect with John Website: https://www.sunsettrans.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sutton-472b05110/  

About Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski and Krystian Gebis Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski is a Chicago native who began his career in logistics after graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 2015. In 2017, he moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, to launch and manage an outsourced freight brokerage operation for Everest Transportation System, growing the team from 4 to nearly 100 employees. In 2020, Paul founded FreightCaviar, a media platform that connects freight brokers, dispatchers, and truck drivers through memes, podcasts, and a daily newsletter focused on the logistics industry. In October 2022, he co-founded ShipperCRM with Krystian Gebis—a purpose-built sales tool that helps freight brokers prospect shippers, build relationships, and grow revenue. Krystian later joined FreightCaviar as a co-founder. Krystian is the co-founder of FreightCaviar and ShipperCRM. Krystian was also previously the co-founder of Autobon.ai, a self-driving truck startup he started in Chicago after dropping out of school while studying robotics and AI.  

Eileen Dabrowski is back on the show to talk about her consulting business and the benefits of entrepreneurship in the logistics industry! Eileen emphasizes continuous self-improvement and developing efficient work routines such as setting manageable goals, tracking progress, using resources, having scalable sales strategies for sustainable growth, and focusing on process implementation, leadership development, and documentation in consulting! Tune in for more valuable business strategies!   About Eileen Dabrowski Eileen has a PhD, ABD from the University of South Florida in Curriculum & Instruction and is a leader and member of the Werner Enterprises Learning & Development Team. Eileen has been in the transportation/logistics industry since 2016 and oversees the development and facilitation of sales and account management enterprise-wide training programs, new employee onboarding, leadership development, employee culture, morale, and retention. She has a passion for company philanthropy initiatives and works hard to maintain and improve employee culture and morale to drive workforce efficiency and employee satisfaction.  Eileen serves the Chair of the TMSA DEI Task Force and is on the TMSA BOD, as well as the Chair of the TIA Programs Committee and is a proud member of the TIA Foundations Board. Outside of work, Eileen lives with her spouse and 4 dogs in Tampa and enjoys traveling, staying active, and volunteering in the community. Running, boxing, lifting weights, surfing, and reading are some of Eileen's favorite self-care activities.  

Today, we're featuring Beagl's founder, Eric Williams, to discuss focusing on daily execution by automating RFP processes! Eric highlights the importance of brand reputation, sustainable business models in freight, winning RFPs through trust and network strengths, and why brokers need to understand their business execution capabilities, deliver ongoing value, and engage in strategic calls to build trust and filter viable prospects!   About Eric Williams Eric is a logistics leader with over a decade of experience driving sales, pricing, sourcing, and technology strategy across top industry players. At Target, he managed $450M in annual freight spend and delivered over $120M in savings during his tenure. He's held leadership roles at US Foods, DAT, and XPO, leading initiatives in consolidation, fleet optimization, pricing model development, and RFP centralization. Before logistics, Eric spent a decade as a member at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He holds a Political Science degree from the University of New Mexico and is a former West Point cadet.   Connect with Eric Website: https://www.beagl.ai/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-w-a7826b6/  

In today's episode, we discuss effective back-office integrations in transportation, data processing, and the risks of automation and data security with Sean Smith of Denim! Sean highlights how integrations can help with operational efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure confidence, as well as best practices to minimize risks, such as using different credentials for automation, data limitation, and multi-layer verification due to threats like deepfakes!   About Sean Smith Sean Smith, VP of Product at Denim, has spent 10 years building and scaling products in the financial services and logistics industries. While leading Product at Denim, he has pioneered new capabilities for the factoring space including risk automation and pricing.  Sean has also led work on our client dashboard, job management and collaboration that have revolutionized the process and workflow for broker clients looking to save time on back office operations. He excels at combining his passion for technology with the ability to drive impact on a balance sheet.   Connect with Sean Website: https://www.denim.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithseanp/  Twitter (X): https://x.com/smithseanp  

Today, you'll learn more about Blythe (Brumleve) Milligan's newly launched logistics platform, Cargo Rex, and how it can serve as a comprehensive information hub for the industry! Blythe shares insights into the platform's development, privacy-centric features allowing users to navigate logistics resources without being tracked, categorizing information into various sectors like associations and technologies, and Cargo Rex's commitment to authentic user testimonials and plans for future AI-enabled features!   About Blythe (Brumleve) Milligan Blythe (Brumleve) Milligan got her start in freight marketing as an executive assistant working for a large 3PL in North Florida where she would eventually be tasked with handling the company's digital media strategy. This is where she earned her chops as a marketer forced to do it all with a limited budget around the time when the inbound marketing concept was born. It was this job and a side-hustle sports blog that earned her eventual roles with a B2B marketing agency, on-air radio talent, and TV talent.  In 2018, she launched Digital Dispatch helping freight companies to put their website on autopilot. In addition to being a creative founder in freight, she hosts the Everything is Logistics podcast, founded the search engine for logistics in CargoRex, is cofounder of Jax Podcasters United, and board member of the Transportation Marketing and Sales Association. Check out the Everything is Logistics podcast for more insight and follow her on Youtube, Linkedin and Tiktok.    Connect with Blythe CargoRex Website: https://cargorex.io/  CargoRex LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cargo-rex/  Podcast: https://everythingislogistics.com/  Digital Dispatch Website: https://digitaldispatch.io/  Digital Dispatch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-dispatch  Blythe's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blythebrum/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blythebrum/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingisLogistics/featured  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everythingislogistics   

How can you automate manual tasks and brokerage operations to scale faster as a broker? Listen to Annalise Davis to find out how Chain, an AI-powered freight visibility platform, can enhance collaboration between brokers and carriers,  the importance of operational efficiency in the increasingly competitive market, Chain's latest feature that will improve engagement and retention within carrier networks, and the role of AI tools in leveling the playing field for smaller companies!   About Annalise Davis Annalise Davis is the co-founder and CEO of Chain, an AI-powered visibility platform that helps freight brokers eliminate manual work. Before building tech, she and her husband ran a trucking company, giving her a ground-level view of the challenges brokers and carriers face every day. Annalise's path to freight tech is anything but typical: she started in medical school before leaving to pursue a more entrepreneurial path, ultimately building one of the fastest-growing platforms in the industry. Since founding Chain, she's grown the company to seven figures in ARR and positioned it at the forefront of AI in freight. Outside of work, she's usually working out, reading, exploring new cities, or learning Japanese.    Connect with Annalise Website: https://www.trychain.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalise-sandhu-60663786/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/chain/  

Atty. Dan Artaev is back on the show today to discuss critical legal protections for transportation businesses concerning online reputations and defamation risks! Dan highlights how false reviews and Freight Guard reports can harm carriers' opportunities in the spot market, shares a cautionary case where a broker faced punitive damages for posting defamatory reports without substantiated claims, leading to the broker's business demise, the complexities introduced by double brokering, and the importance of maintaining open communication between brokers and carriers, building trustworthy relationships, and promptly addressing complaints to avoid further legal complications!   About Dan Artaev Dan is the founder and managing partner of Artaev at Law PLLC, a metro Detroit law firm that works with innovators and business owners across the United States. Defending carriers against online reputation attacks has been one of his firm's focus areas from day one. Dan takes great pride in helping smaller operations protect their rights, and gets particularly excited when he has the opportunity to use his multi-lingual skills to communicate within the transportation community. Dan has been practicing law since 2010, and is a former State of Michigan Assistant Attorney General.   Connect with Dan Website: https://artaevatlaw.com/  Email: dan@artaevatlaw.com  

In this episode, we'll continue on a topic that's vital for every transportation professional - the key strategies for generating sales and revenue! Listen to learn the importance of daily disciplined activities over motivation, focusing on revenue-generating tasks like cold calling and its methodology, setting specific daily calling targets, tracking progress to enhance efficiency and drive business growth, and mindset strategies for overcoming sales anxiety!  

Join our incredible guest, Mike Mikulik from SPI Logistics, on Day 2 of the TIA Capital Ideas Conference! Today, Mike delves into the vital aspects of freight brokerage business development and relationship strategies, the enduring importance of personal connections in a technology-driven industry, the benefits of AI for smaller brokerages, and the significance of continuous learning, networking, and sales efforts!   About Mike Mikulik Mike Mikulik is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at SPI Logistics. He is a very personable and enthusiastic person who is a collaborator and thinks out of the box. Mike has a unique background in all sides of the transportation industry from trucking to international freight forwarding and special projects. With over 25 years' experience he credits his School of Hard Knocks for his success. You will find Mike easily engaging in conversation and his willingness to help and draw out the best in people. His positiveness is contagious and willingness to support his team grow personally and professionally. Mike is a collaborator and think out of the box guy. He has had tremendous success in strategically enhancing the customer experience which in turn has led to new opportunities and revenue growth. Mike lives and resides in Vancouver Canada where he has lived all his life.   Connect with Mike Email: mmikulik@spi3pl.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mikulik/  

We're live at the TIA Capital Ideas Conference, and in this episode, we've got Greeenscreens' CEO back on the show, Dawn Salvucci-Favier! Dawn shares her journey to leading the company through significant growth, innovation in the transportation industry, Greenscreens' challenges and successes, including fundraising and achieving profitability, the company's new product that aims to improve long-term contract forecasts, and the critical role of marketing!    About Dawn Salvucci-Favier Dawn Salvucci-Favier brings more than 28 years of transportation management industry leadership to Greenscreens.ai. She has spent the past 20 years leading Global Product Strategy & Management at major Transportation Management System (TMS) providers including Manugistics, JDA Software, Shippers Commonwealth, RedPrairie (all now Blue Yonder) and most recently 3Gtms, Inc. In each of these roles Dawn was able to develop and execute a vision and strategy for delivering industry-leading technology solutions to the Logistics market. During her time at Shippers Commonwealth, Dawn was President & Chief Operating Officer where she had full P&L management responsibilities for the $6 million, value-added service provider of logistics solutions and continued in a leadership role of SVP & General Manager for the RedPrairie On-Demand TMS business unit that resulted from the sale of the company to RedPrairie. She also brings extensive 3PL & Shipper Logistics operations experience having also spent time as Director of Logistics Services for NFI Interactive Logistics and starting her career in the inbound transportation management function at Staples, Inc and The TJX Companies.   Connect with Dawn Website: https://www.greenscreens.ai/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenscreensai/  Email: dawn@greenscreens.ai  

In this episode, let's hear Nicole Hunt's remarkable career transition from nursing to becoming a freight broker in a male-dominated industry with minimal training! Nicole emphasizes the pivotal role of communication in customer service, the significance of self-motivation and confidence in sales, and the value of honesty, reputation in building trust with clients, and understanding customer needs!   Connect with Nicole Email: nhunt@spi3pl.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-hunt-444033152/  

In today's episode, CJ Johnson shares his successful journey in the transportation industry, from being a salesperson to becoming a successful serial entrepreneur with five logistics companies! CJ talks about his growth strategy, emphasizing the importance of establishing solid business systems and processes before launching new ventures, vital client relationship management and risk assessment in navigating new freight niches, and his perspective on the hybrid future in logistics, blending technology with personal connections!   About Charles “CJ” Johnson CJ Johnson graduated with a B.S. in Math and Computer Science from Loyola University of Chicago in 1997. He started his career in transportation right out of college and worked for a local trucking and brokerage in Chicagoland, learning the industry. In 2000, he started on his entrepreneurial path with his first company at the age of 24, FLO Trans. A leading third-party transportation company that started in Chicago and has expanded nationwide over the past 24 years. Since that time, he has successfully started many more companies in the transportation space, ranging from a technology platform (Futuretrans); to an e-commerce warehousing and distribution center fulfilling Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart (B&C Logistics); and finally to liquor distribution, trade shows and high-value needs (BWS Logistics). In the past five years, he has opened up internationally in Colombia, South America, and plans to expand more internationally in the near future. He is well respected as a member by his peers in the transportation industry and attends and speaks at many conferences throughout the year. In 2023, he attended 30 conferences nationwide. He is a member of many different associations and groups and promotes himself as “match.com” for business.   Connect with CJ Website: https://bws-logistics.com/  Email: cj.johnson@bws-logistics.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-cj-johnson-1b44a554/  

Welcome to another week full of valuable insights for transportation folks, and DJ Shirley of Baker Brothers Installations joins us to share what we should know about the warehousing industry! DJ discusses his time at TQL learning sales processes, the subsequent challenges he faced while attempting to start a brokerage, an overview of the rack integration business and its full-cycle solutions for warehouse needs, the growing trend towards used racking materials as a cost-saving measure, and the industry's safety concerns and rising lead times due to tariffs! This episode further explores project implementation processes and potential opportunities for freight brokers in warehousing projects. Be sure to listen to our conversation!   About DJ Shirley DJ comes to BBI as a proven leader with extensive experience in both inside & outside sales along with operations. With a career that has predominantly been in the Third Party Logistics arena he has built numerous books of business by utilizing cold outreach accompanied by outbound marketing campaigns. In order to maintain efficiency DJ has adopted the mindset that every client relationship is a partnership which results in the details coming standard.   Connect with DJ Website: https://bakerbrothersinstallations.com/  Email: djshirley@bakerbrothersinstallations.com  

Today's episode focuses on implementing automation systems in your transportation business with Revenova's co-founder, Michael Horvath! Mike talks about the integration of AI in the industry and its practical applications, highlighting its potential to automate up to 95% of a broker's daily tasks, which allows professionals to prioritize relationship-building while competing effectively without extensive staffing, the importance of data security, the need for AI capabilities to be seamlessly-integrated within existing systems, and how AI can assist with tasks such as CRM updates and research, without replacing essential human interactions!   About Michael Horvath Michael Horvath is the COO and co-founder of Revenova. The company provides CRM-powered transportation management solutions (TMS) for freight brokers, 3PLs, carriers, and shippers. Founded in 2014, Revenova customers include a wide range of midmarket and enterprise customers, including some of the largest 3PLs in North America. He is responsible for the company's overall go-to-market and product strategy. Prior to Revenova, Michael co-founded Forseva, a company that developed the first credit and collections management application suite native to the salesforce platform, and served as CMO and EVP until the company was acquired by Equifax in 2014. He built his path to entrepreneurship through successful tenures at several high-tech companies, including NCR, Quintus Corporation, AVAYA and Cortera. Michael is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.  

In this episode, we'll look in-depth at the challenges and innovations in the refrigerated Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) freight market with Clay Curran of Fresh X! Clay explains Fresh X's evolution from a brokerage specializing in refrigerated LTL to a software platform offering instant pricing for freight brokerages, the market's current issues despite refrigerated LTL's demand, Fresh X's goal to streamline the connection between brokers and carriers, and its future growth plans!   Connect with Clay Website: https://getfreshx.com/  Email: clay@getfreshx.com  Book a Demo: https://meetings.hubspot.com/nick-janson/freshx-demo  

Today, we're featuring REPOWR's co-founder, Patrick Visintainer, to highlight an innovative business model that enhances trailer efficiency in the trucking industry! Patrick begins with his background in freight and supply chain management, his initial discovery of the inefficiencies around trailer usage, how REPOWR's user-friendly platform addresses these issues, and the platform's capabilities, including digital inspections and flexibility for carriers, which allows them to utilize trailers as needed without long-term commitments!   About Patrick Visintainer Patrick Visintainer is the Co-Founder of REPOWR, a platform that addresses inefficiencies in trailer-sharing within the logistics industry. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Patrick discovered his passion for supply chain management when his career began at PS Logistics, where he managed trailer assignments, freight, and customer sales. During this time, Patrick witnessed firsthand the challenges plaguing the industry - including staggering waste from underutilized assets, mismatches between supply and demand, high costs associated with empty miles, fragmentation, and frequent driver turnover. These observations fueled his desire to reimagine trailer sharing as a more efficient solution to enhance logistics operations. Since founding REPOWR, the company has formed partnerships with major North American trucking and logistics companies and has access to over 250,000 trailers on their platform. Today, Patrick channels his passion for personal growth, goal-setting, and problem-solving into leading REPOWR's mission to bring flexible, tech-enabled asset-sharing to the logistics world.   Connect with Patrick Website: https://www.repowr.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/repowr/ / https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickvisintainer/  

In this episode, we got Steve Blair of FleetHD to discuss critical issues in fleet maintenance and strategies to reduce downtime! Steve shares insights from his extensive background in emerging technologies and how Fleet HD addresses overwhelming data challenges faced by maintenance teams, the alarming statistics surrounding unscheduled breakdowns, the financial impact of maintenance, Fleet HD's innovative real-time vehicle health monitoring system that enhances maintenance efficiency while reducing unnecessary costs, and more actionable recommendations from our expert today!   About Steve Blair Steve is the Co-Founder of BlueDot Ventures and FleetHD, leading Sales Execution & Strategy across the organization. Steve has over 20 years' experience in the connected fleet technology space. Steve has been instrumental in working with FleetHD's initial Enterprise Fleets to identify the features, functionality and workflow to mature the platform into a transformational, enterprise-grade solution for preventative maintenance and parts procurement. Steve has the unique ability to garner trust and develop deep relationships with senior executives of large Enterprise customers, while at the same time relating to the customers' actual platform users – always eager to better understand and improve upon the user-experience. Steve has a track record of accelerating value creation through innovative commercialization & operational execution. He has more than 30 years expertise in building and directing High-Performance Sales, Solution Delivery and Client Service Teams in early adopter markets.   

Today's episode features Nate Ramsden of Barco Trucking to discuss the intricacies of specialized heavy haul transportation and his 23 years of experience in the industry! Nate explains the importance of meticulous planning and site surveys to ensure seamless operations for oversized deliveries, the dynamic market conditions affecting the specialized hauling industry, the impact of stringent insurance and customer standards, and the value of focusing on quality over quantity in customer engagement!   About Nate Ramsden Nate is the outside sales and field supervisor for Barco Trucking, and he has 23 years of experience in the specialized transport and heavy haul world. He's passionate about the heavy haul and specialized transport industry, and is always looking to further Barco Trucking's capabilities and show their clients what they can do for their next project. Outside of work, you'll find him on their small ranch in Texas, either on a horse or out at the rifle range sharpening his skills. He loves discussing topics that impact the industry and what the future has in store for the specialized trucking world, from data centers to electrification, and how it might impact their day-to-day operations.    Connect with Nate Website: https://barcoheavyhaul.com/  Email: btruckingsales@gmail.com  

Today, Sean Smith is back for essential strategies on financial management in transportation, focusing on payment collections and cash flow! Beginning with the emotional challenges of collecting overdue payments, Sean emphasizes the importance of having clear contracts and payment terms at the beginning of customer relationships, setting up effective invoice processes, and implementing a professional reminder system to ensure timely payments.  Sean also talks about tools for monitoring customer payment patterns, like Denim's new custom cadences for collections automation, the value of maintaining equal business stature, and being prepared to sever ties with consistently late-paying clients for sustainable business operations!   About Sean Smith Sean Smith, VP of Product at Denim, has spent 10 years building and scaling products in the financial services and logistics industries. While leading Product at Denim, he has pioneered new capabilities for the factoring space including risk automation and pricing.  Sean has also led work on our client dashboard, job management and collaboration that have revolutionized the process and workflow for broker clients looking to save time on back office operations. He excels at combining his passion for technology with the ability to drive impact on a balance sheet.   Connect with Sean Website: https://www.denim.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithseanp/  Twitter (X): https://x.com/smithseanp