Brittany Traylor mentioned that she didn’t require a lot of capital to launch her trucking business in 2021.
Her business, which focuses on brokerage and dispatching, earned $1.4 million in revenue last year.
Traylor explained how she established her company without any cash and earned the trust of drivers.
Becoming a truck driver was never Traylor’s aspiration, but after observing her uncle in the field, she decided to take classes and follow in his footsteps.
“He shared numerous amazing photos on Facebook and recounted his experiences, which inspired me to engage in that world,” she recounted to Insider.
As an open-deck driver, Traylor primarily transported construction materials. However, when COVID-19 hit, manufacturing ceased, leading to job instability.
After five years, Traylor completed online courses to become a licensed broker, bridging the gap between drivers and freight opportunities. In January 2021, she founded her brokerage and dispatching company, Traylor Transpo, which saw revenues of $1.4 million last year.
Starting from ‘Literally Zero’
Traylor indicated that capital was minimal to start her brokerage, which was fortunate as she was “literally zero” cash and behind on bills by three months. To kickstart her enterprise, she took on freelance delivery jobs, including shingles and Amazon packages.
“I was at a point of considering returning to a traditional job when things began to improve,” she said.
She formed a partnership with a leasing company to acquire additional trucks, facilitating her transition to an asset-based business model. When it came time to hire, she utilized Facebook for recruitment.
“I initially had no knowledge about the hiring process, but I dedicated time to learning and building my team,” she shared.
Her first hire enabled her to secure her first shipper, which in turn attracted an aluminum supplier—the largest account for her brokerage today.
Currently, Traylor Transpo has seven employees, including four drivers and around 50 contracted owner-operators. She conducts daily meetings and ongoing training to foster team growth and development.
A significant factor in her success has been leveraging technology to enhance team communication and order management.
Building Trust in a Challenging Industry
The trucking industry has experienced considerable fluctuations recently, impacted by supply chain issues and inflation. While jobs remain available, pay can vary based on fuel prices and freight types.
“Last year saw a surge in small carriers, creating an ideal market for them,” Traylor explained. “Now, the market has turned into a broker/customer landscape.”
With rising fuel costs, securing freight has become more challenging, leading Traylor to say: “Carriers are absorbing these increased costs.”
To navigate these obstacles, Traylor emphasizes the significance of supporting her drivers.
“We had to provide support like direct payments or fuel advances to enable carriers to haul loads,” she disclosed. “These solid relationships with our carriers are critical for mutual success.”
Traylor encourages aspiring trucking entrepreneurs not to be deterred by market conditions.
“The supply chain is always evolving, so there’s no perfect time,” she stated. “Just take the plunge and be adaptable to market changes.”
