Powered By ES, a leader in ownership opportunities and capacity solutions within the trucking industry, the Success In Trucking Podcast offers helpful insights and valuable perspectives for owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners.
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There are very few universal truths in trucking, but the fact stands that it is one of the few industries that accepts all paths, backgrounds, and experience. Attitude, aptitude, and the right kind of support can put you on the road to success, regardless of starting point. And for Mike and Becky Tucker, getting into trucking, and eventually becoming business owners, wasn’t exactly a straight line. From Manufacturing to Trucking Coming from the manufacturing industry, the Tuckers decided to test the waters in trucking and see where it could take them. After some early experiences that nearly c
For many drivers and aspiring entrepreneurs, building a trucking business begins with a simple but intimidating question: What’s the next step? On a recent episode of the Success in Trucking Podcast, we sat down with Marcellus Serpa to explore what that step looked like for him and how it led from a single truck to a 25-truck fleet. Marcellus didn’t come into trucking the traditional way. Originally from Brazil, he had no CDL, no driving experience, and no family ties to the industry. What he did have was early exposure to logistics operations and a mindset rooted in planning. Before committin
For Expediter Services community members Maxwell Belin and Jalyssa Campbell, trucking isn’t just a career, it’s family. Growing up around drivers, both Maxwell and Jalyssa saw firsthand how the industry could provide stability and opportunity. Following in the footsteps of family members they both spent time behind the wheel of buses, but eventually found themselves wanting more control over their time, income, and future. Trucking offered that next step, one they decided to take together. From Family Roots to the Trucking Industry As a brother-sister team with Forward Air, they’ve built a rhy
Making the leap from company driver to owner-operator or fleet owner is one of the most exciting, and demanding, moves in a trucking career. In the latest episode of the Success in Trucking Podcast, Expediter Services sat down with Leah Shaver, President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute (NTI), to talk candidly about what drivers should expect when they decide to take control of their future. Shaver emphasizes that too many drivers focus on the view from the top without mapping the route to get there. “It’s like climbing Mt. Everest,” she stresses. “But in this case, you are the
What does it take to become a successful fleet owner in today’s trucking industry? We asked Andy and Linda Dixon to answer that question in this edition of the podcast. Andy and Linda have been part of the ES Community for several years and they have built their small company into a small fleet of nine trucks. Through this episode, Andy and Linda provide a wealth of sound advice for anyone considering getting started as owner-operators and owning your own fleet. This discussion is highlighted with Andy and Linda sharing their thoughts on how the support they have received from being a part of
Fleet ownership rarely follows a straight line. In a recent interview, we sat down with Andy and Linda Dixon of A&L Trucking LLC to talk about their winding journey into trucking and how persistence, planning, and partnership helped them build a nine-truck fleet. Andy’s introduction to trucking was anything but traditional. He started his career as a plumber before taking a job delivering auto parts in a van. Looking for ways to increase revenue, he moved into a box truck, learning the business side of trucking as he went. He entered Expediter Services’ Path to Ownership program with his broth
Building a Strong Financial Foundation for Owner-Operator Success In our next installment of the Are You Ready To Own the Wheel? series, we’re talking about a topic that can make or break your success as an owner-operator—your finances. To round out the series, Colton Lawrence, The Trucker CFO, joined the Success In Trucking Podcast to dig into what it really takes to build a strong financial foundation for your business. Shift Your Mindset: From Driver to Business Owner For Colton, the first step is the most important, you first have to shift your mindset. “It’s more than just driving,” he sa
In this episode from our Are You Ready To Own The Wheel Series, Colton Lawrence discusses the essential mindset and practical steps needed for individuals considering becoming owner-operators in the trucking industry. Colton, who is a Certified Public Accountant and founder of Trucker CFO, emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between being a company driver and an owner-operator, particularly in terms of financial management, business planning, and the necessity of a support network. As you will hear, Colton notes the significance of a solid business plan, tax planning, ma
Why the Equipment You Choose Matters If you’re thinking about taking the next step toward ownership, one of the biggest choices you’ll make is the equipment you run. As Danny Vernon, Director of Truck Sales at Expediter Services (ES), shared in the latest Success in Trucking Podcast episode, that decision can shape your business long before you even turn the key. “The truck you choose, and how you choose to finance it, can make or break your success as an owner-operator,” Danny explained. “Get it right, and you’re setting yourself up for stability. Get it wrong, and the costs can start eating
For our first episode of 2026, we spent some time talking about new starts in a new year as well as what’s happening within today’s trucking landscape. Our guest is David Withers, the Senior Director of Operations and Recruiting at ES. As you will hear, we focused our conversation with David by discussing opportunities for change where you have a strong sense of control, and making sure that you are well positioned for your best success in trucking.
With this episode of the podcast, we are beginning a special series designed to help anyone thinking about moving into truck ownership or expanding your current fleet. We will be bringing you expert perspectives from both the team at ES and vendors who are a part of the ES Community who will be helping us to explore the wide range of considerations that are a part of making the transition into truck ownership and starting your trucking business. For Part 1, ES Senior Director of Operations and Recruiting David Withers joins us to discuss what you need to consider when first thinking about maki
In honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, which is happening from Sept. 14-20 this year, the Success In Trucking Podcast Powered By ES brings you a conversation honoring the men and women behind the wheel featuring the observations of Jason Williams, the President and CEO of Expediter Services. We invite you to join us to hear Jason as he highlights the mile-by-mile work by the professionals on the road who keep the American economy moving.
Each September, the trucking industry pauses to shine a light on the men and women who keep America moving. National Driver Appreciation Week is more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a chance to recognize the incredible contributions professional drivers make every day. At Expediter Services (ES), we are especially proud to honor the members of our community who exemplify hard work, resilience, and dedication. Professional drivers are the backbone of the U.S. economy. As Jason Williams, President and CEO of ES, shared recently on the Success In Trucking Podcast, this week “brings visibil
If you’ve been in the driver’s seat for any length of time, you already know: the road has gotten rough. Unpredictable freight, squeezed margins, and a market that feels like it’s been stuck in a holding pattern. They’re more than just industry headlines. They’re the real-life challenges owner-operators and small fleet owners face every day. And for many, it can feel like you’re out there fighting this fight alone. How ES Is Helping Drivers Navigate Market Challenges In the most recent episodes of the Success in Trucking Podcast, Jeff Tacker, Executive Vice President, COO, and CCO, pulled back
Jeff Tacker from the ES Leadership Team returns to the podcast to continue the conversation on facing the challenges found in today’s trucking market. Jeff serves as the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer for ES, and he dedicates time on this episode of the podcast to encourage listeners to take action and pursue their dreams in trucking. Jeff talks to us in detail on how the programs at ES are specially designed to provide support for the members of the ES Community. Jeff notes that challenges in trucking are inevitable but manageable. He also share
Jeff Tacker joins us for this edition of the Success in Trucking Podcast. Part of the company’s Senior Leadership Team as the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer for ES, Jeff discusses the challenges faced in today’s market by owner-operators, independent contractors, and small fleet owners in the trucking industry. As you will hear, Jeff offers a number of helpful insights as he walks through the current state of the trucking market and the importance of having a community that can support you as you work to move your trucking business forward. Jeff
In this edition of the podcast, we will be revisiting the July 15th webinar event that ES hosted. The session was entitled Strategies & Support You Need To Achieve Long-Term Success In Trucking. David Withers, the Senior Director of Operations & Recruiting at ES, provided a number of insights on what’s happening in today’s market that can help owner-operators, independent contractors and fleet owners during the webinar. Leah Shaver, the President and CEO of the National Transportation Institute, served as the moderator of the webinar. As you’ll hear, the conversation that Leah had with David c
Thinking about taking the leap to become an owner-operator? Or maybe you’re already rolling but looking to improve profitability? Recently, we had Colton Lawrence, The Trucker CFO, join us on on the Success In Trucking Podcast. Colton shares a number of insights on navigating the financial considers of trucking entrepreneurship.
Thinking about taking the leap to become an owner-operator? Or maybe you’re already rolling but looking to improve profitability? Recently, we had Colton Lawrence, The Trucker CFO, on the Success In Trucking Podcast, and he shared tips on navigating the financial side of trucking entrepreneurship. Here are some of his insights. Trucking Success Starts With Mindset First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that you’re no longer just driving a truck; you’re running a business. This means your business continues to operate even when you’re not physically behind the wheel. Planning for downti
In the edition of the podcast, we will feature a subject-matter expert from one of the many unique services and resources offered through the ES Community. A few years ago, ES began working with the Corporate Chaplains of America. CCA is an organization that offers a wide range of support and even counseling resources to businesses and business communities, including the ES Community. Recently, we had the opportunity to talk with Patrick Harris, who is a member of the Corporate Chaplains of America Team and he serves as a subject-matter expert in the area of finance. In addition to talking abo
For the final installment for our five-part series celebrating the milestone that ES reached in helping to create 300 women-owned businesses in the trucking industry, we will feature our interview with Zakiya Simmons. She is one business of the owners who has utilized the programs and support offered through Expediter Services. Zakiya owns and operates Battlestar Transportation with her husband, Norris. As you’ll hear, Zakiya found her way behind the wheel as a professional driver with the encouragement of Norris’ mother, who herself has logged over 20 years as a professional truck driver.
In this episode of our special series celebrating the milestone of 300 women-owned businesses created within the ES Community, you are going to meet Shannon Wike. As you will hear, Shannon was involved in various roles within the trucking industry before becoming a business owner who runs a single-truck operation while serving as a team driver with her husband. Prior to becoming part of the ES Community, Shannon was a company driver, a dispatcher and a load planner before she made the move to get back behind the wheel. As Shannon shares on the podcast, she found her path to business ownership
For this episode in our series celebrating 300 Women-Owned Businesses in the ES Community, you are going to hear the inspiring of Staci Cooley. Before entering the trucking industry, Staci worked in a customer service job as a single mom with four young children. She had always been interested in trucking and, with the support of her Mom and Dad who offered to help take care of the kids, Staci got her CDL and hit the road as a professional driver. Looking for the opportunity to own her own business, Staci discovered the programs offered through ES and she has found a home in the Panther Premiu
Are you thinking about becoming an owner-operator or starting a fleet? Are you looking to expand your current fleet? There’s no question that traditional financing has more barriers to entry than ever before, making it difficult for many trucking entrepreneurs to get their dreams off the ground. In the latest episode of the Success In Trucking Podcast, we sat down with Danny Vernon and Tom Parker from the ES team to discuss the challenges that aspiring owner-operators face when it comes to traditional financing. As you will hear, Danny and Tom walk us through the financing programs that ES has
Starting out as an owner-operator, especially for the first time, can feel like navigating a winding road filled with unexpected detours. Traditional financing has more barriers to entry than ever before, making it difficult for many trucking entrepreneurs to get their dreams off the ground. In the latest episode of the Success In Trucking Podcast, we sat down with Danny Vernon and Tom Parker from the Expediter Services (ES) team to discuss the challenges that aspiring owner-operators face and the value that relationship lending brings to the table. Why Relationship Lending is a Game-Changer f
