Episodes

  • Throwback: Owner/Operator Rag to Riches

    Throwback: Owner/Operator Rag to Riches
    Dec 13 2024
    In this throwback episode of Get a Load of This podcast, Join hosts Cameron Pechia, and Thomas Comstock in this episode of Get a Load of This podcast, as they discuss an owner/operator success story with Justin Robbins of 3 Peaks Logistics LLC. They discuss the process of starting a new company as well as how one can be profitable and change their lives within a year. Episode Highlights: Justin discusses his background and how he got into the trucking business. (2:36) Justin shares a few of the struggles he had as when he was younger, before getting his CDL. (6:11) Justin mentions what his CB handle would be if he had one. (17:11) Justin discusses the steps he took to ensure he had the resources to start his own business. (22:59) According to Justin, one of the mistakes many drivers make is staying in an area to wait for a load that simply pays for their way back while missing out on several days of revenue in a hot zone. (25:15) Justin believes one thing he always encourages drivers to do is to adapt to their location and find out what product is moving from where they are. (26:58) Justin explains that any failures or setbacks he experiences just turn into motivation. (28:53) Justin explains how, like him, when someone begins a business as an owner-operator, they are generally in the red the first year (33:02) Justin explains why he registered 3 Peaks Logistics as an LLC and why business cards registered as an LLC should not be mixed with personal expenses. (33:59) Justin recommends that new drivers communicate with other drivers since they could learn something useful from the discussion. (37:57) Justin recommends a good tax company and a drug program to new owner-operators. (44:32) Justin recommends the drivers to acquire their identification cards from as many places as possible. (56:15) Key Quotes: “One thing I always tell drivers, adapt to your location, find out what product is moving from where you're at, and what you're trying to do.” - Justin Robbins “I've been lucky enough to where every move I've made has been forward. I just got that mindset to where I'm not going to be stagnant and I refuse to take steps backwards.” - Justin Robbins “Don't go buy yourself a pair of shoes with your business card because once you start mixing your personal with your business, the LLC is out the window.” - Justin Robbins Resources Mentioned: 3 Peaks Logistics LLC Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Ryan Young Valley Trucking Insurance
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    58 mins
  • Throwback: Put Cash and Control Back in your Pocket by Investing in a Captive!

    Throwback: Put Cash and Control Back in your Pocket by Investing in a Captive!
    Nov 29 2024
    In this episode of Get a Load of This podcast, Cameron Pechia, and Ryan Young chat with Ian Mayster from Captive Resources to discuss captive insurance programs for fleet owners and the many benefits they provide. We discuss the many incentives, including investment potential, control, and safety - and how to get started. Listen in to learn how captives have benefited trucking companies around the country! Episode Highlights: Ian talks about his academic and professional background and what led him to the trucking insurance industry. (3:55) Ian explains that Captive Resources works as a group captive that team ups with brokers around the country. (6:55) Ian discusses their type of market and talks about how important it is to have enough premiums and workers’ compensation. (12:54) Ian explains that, over the years, they have realized that hauling trucks and restaurants are not always the best group setting and still vary for certain industries. (16:03) Ian shares that they created a mutual fund for all clients in the captive that allows them to invest their last funding portion. (23:53) Ian explains that a unique thing about captives is how they price the risk and have the option to take on control of premiums. (27:33) Ian discusses how captive members have benefited from the program during the pandemic. (31:25) Ian shares what type of client they are ideally looking for, safety wise. (41:33) Ian explains that they are very open to having conversations about getting captive ready and the steps that can be taken in the next several years to become a more suitable captive member. (44:30) Key Quotes: "This day and age in the umbrella market, it's sometimes hard to explain to clients and prospects what's going on, and how it is affecting their entire insurance program." - Ian Mayster "There is risk-sharing involved in the group captive here. But it's nice because that makes it true insurance, right? Otherwise, this would be self-insurance and you start to get into a whole different type of tax program structure." - Ian Mayster “It's often a lot more work upfront, but once they're in the captive, it's a pretty straightforward process. And we've got a lot of systems in place to make sure that they're happy, satisfied and serviced accordingly throughout their time in the program.” - Ian Mayster Resources Mentioned: Ian Mayster LinkedIn Captive Resources Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Ryan Young
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    52 mins
  • Throwback: Taking Your Freight Brokerage to the Next Level with Coaching

    Throwback: Taking Your Freight Brokerage to the Next Level with Coaching
    Nov 15 2024
    In this throwback episode of Get a Load of This podcast, we talk to Benjamin Kowalski from Freight360. We talk about how to scale your freight brokerage business to superior levels and how training and mentoring through Freight360 can get you there faster. Ben is an expert in his field and is dropping MAJOR GEMS. Pay attention! Episode Highlights: Benjamin discusses the start of the Freight360 podcast and how it evolved into an educational platform with one-on-one and group coaching programs. (4:17) Benjamin mentions that if he had a CB Handle, it would be the first thing that came to his mind. (8:45) Benjamin discusses what he is seeing on the brokerage side given the current condition of the market and what he is advising his brokers to be looking at, especially in relation to the spot market and the contract market. (10:08) Benjamin shares his thoughts on cargo thefts and double brokering. (19:39) Benjamin mentions that when he works directly with brokerages on the coaching side, he digs into where their consumers need to go and the value as well as the risk of the commodity. (28:48) Benjamin discusses coaching three insurance agency owners in the consumer retail industry. (29:45) Benjamin explains that the first two hours he spends with every client are spent learning as much as he can about how they got to where they are now. (34:09) Benjamin explains that if you truly want more time, you must first delegate, which can be difficult to do when someone has achieved success because usually they do everything alone. (37:41) Benjamin explains that the qualities he looks for in a client is someone who is not currently satisfied with their situation or who is satisfied but wants to grow, and who is prepared to do whatever it takes to get there. (45:32) Benjamin mentions that they are already in discussions about developing a second edition of their course tailored to trucking companies, particularly smaller owner-operators because they face many of the same difficulties. (48:24) Benjamin believes that greatness is defined by doing the tough thing every day, even when you don't feel like it. (49:50) Key Quotes: “The first two hours I spend with any client is mostly understanding as much as I can of how they arrived at where they're at right now. And I'll go back to even high school, college adolescent sports because I'm really big on analogies and using other situations to point out that oftentimes people have they actually have the answer to their own problem.” - Benjamin Kowalski “The biggest thing people struggle with is giving things to another person knowing they could do it better, and knowing the person they're training is going to make mistakes.” - Benjamin Kowalski “If you really want more time or need more time, you first have to get the things off your plate. And that is a very difficult thing to do when somebody has become successful because they do everything themselves.” - Benjamin Kowalski Resources Mentioned: Benjamin Kowalski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminkowalski/ Freight360: http://www.freight360.net/ Cameron Pechia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-pechia-49903072/ Ryan Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanyoung1986/ Valley Trucking Insurance: https://www.valleytruckinginsurance.com/
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    57 mins
  • Throwback: Derrick Williams - The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast

    Throwback: Derrick Williams - The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast
    Nov 1 2024
    Join us for a candid conversation with Derrick Williams founder of The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast. In this episode of Get a Load of This podcast, we discuss his podcast TheTruckingEntrepreneursPodcast.com website and how it connects and empowers business owners in the logistics industry. Episode Highlights: Derrick shares how he got started in the trucking industry. (3:31) Derrick explains that the guests that he invites to The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast all share a passion for what they do and a desire to serve others. (9:17) Derrick mentions that he has a heart for the underdog and that the The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast is meant to be a platform for business owners to showcase what they can offer in terms of products and services. (13:02) Derrick shares that he is planning to attend different events this year and be able to reach and help bring publicity to more small businesses. (16:00) Derrick mentions the benefits of MyTrucker Pro. (21:32) Derrick explains that most of the essential jobs in the trucking industry are the most underpaid and underappreciated jobs. (24:25) Derrick shares that his core reason for having the drive to do what he does is service and helping others. (32:52) Derrick shares who he is hoping to invite onto his podcast in the near future. (38:57) Derrick explains that MyTrucker Pro is a community platform for professionals from the trucking industry. (43:41) Key Quotes: "Hopefully, I continue to grow and just shine a light on everyone…I have a heart for the underdog. And what I mean by that is, smaller businesses that are just starting up and trying to find a way." - Derrick Williams "Most of the time, most of the essential jobs or careers out here are the most underpaid, underappreciated jobs or careers we have, unfortunately." - Derrick Williams "Some people that may leave a professional career that maybe they're making six figures…And then to go from that, to venture to start a small business, where you don't know where that's going to go, if it's going to go anywhere. To me, I love hearing stories like that." - Derrick Williams Resources Mentioned: Derrick Williams LinkedIn The Trucking Entrepreneurs Podcast Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Ryan Young Valley Trucking Insurance
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    52 mins
  • Throwback: Changing the World - Empowering Women in the Trucking Industry

    Throwback: Changing the World - Empowering Women in the Trucking Industry
    Oct 18 2024
    In this throwback episode of Get a Load of This podcast, Cameron Pechia, and Ryan Young chat with Ellen Voie, Founder and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association. Ellen has made it her life's mission to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry and she is making leaps and bounds toward a more equal world and workforce for women. Ellen's commitment to equalizing the workforce for women has been nothing short of exceptional - Join us while we learn more about her and her organization. Episode Highlights: Ellen reveals that her career goal in high school was broadcast journalism. (3:47) Ellen mentions that the mission of the Women In Trucking Association is to promote the employment of women in the business and to remove hurdles that may prevent women from succeeding. (5:58) Ellen shares what her CB handle would be if she had one. (8:06) Ellen discusses the challenges she faced in the early years of the Women In Trucking Association, such as spreading the word about the organization and gaining industry support. (11:43) Ellen discusses the most important lessons she's learned from the challenges she's faced. (19:12) Ellen discusses that the Women In Trucking Association will now have chapters, both regional and local, so that the conversation may continue long after the conference is over. (23:30) Ellen mentions that she was invited to the White House to discuss the Biden-Harris trucking proposal. (32:16) Ellen explains the three aspects of industrial safety for women. (36:01) Ellen believes that personal safety is a top responsibility for female drivers. (40:46) Key Quotes: “The mission is to encourage the employment of women in the industry and to address obstacles that might keep women from succeeding. And then the third part is to celebrate success. So that's our mission.” - Ellen Voie “I believed in myself, I believed in the mission. And I never ever thought that failure was an option.” - Ellen Voie “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone” - Ellen Voie Resources Mentioned: Ellen Voie LinkedIn Women In Trucking Association Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Ryan Young Valley Trucking Insurance
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    49 mins
  • Throwback: Learning the Game with The Freight Coach!

    Throwback: Learning the Game with The Freight Coach!
    Oct 4 2024
    This is a fire throwback episode chopping it up with Chris Jolly "The Freight Coach" on all things trucking. From trucking to freight brokering we cover tips and tricks to help improve your business. Chris has 15+ years of experience within transportation with the bulk of his experience in freight brokerage. He is the founder of Freight Coach Enterprises and is the host of “Coffee w/#TheFreightCoach” podcast. His experience within freight brokerage includes operations, sales, and leadership ranging from start-ups to one of the largest brokerages within transportation. His passion is training and development of sales and operations professionals within transportation. Episode Highlights: Chris discusses his background in the trucking industry. (1:58) Chris talks about how he got into the transportation industry. (6:17) Chris explains why he picked the alias "The Freight Coach." (11:16) Chris clarifies that he does not want to replace drivers and that he is a proponent of technology that improves safety. (13:01) Chris explains that he evaluates even his own prospects to guarantee that they really want to improve. (17:37) Chris mentions that he wants to provide best practices for others to follow since this industry means everything to him. (24:46) Chris mentions that he believes in karma. (34:53) Chris believes that those in the trucking industry should do a better job of recruiting people in this profession since no one will come to the industry and rescue them except themselves. (39:47) Chris expresses gratitude for the opportunity to launch his second company, Broker Carrier. (41:03) Chris believes that self-reflection has been the most valuable lesson he has learned in the last few years. (45:43) Key Quotes: “I believe in responsible capitalism. Because as a broker, I am nothing without that truck. I am nothing. My technology, which is great, that I'm a massive fan…My technology mean nothing if my drivers don't show up.” - Chris Jolly “I want to put best practices out there for people to follow because this industry literally is everything to me. Like absolutely everything, since the first breath I took, I've been around trucking. And I know what people go through.” - Chris Jolly “If you want to see trucking change, you have to change yourself first.” - Chris Jolly Resources Mentioned: Chris Jolly LinkedIn Coffee w/#TheFreightCoach Broker Carrier Cameron Pechia Valley Trucking Insurance
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    49 mins
  • Throwback: Keep More Money with Outsourcing Your Phone Services

    Throwback: Keep More Money with Outsourcing Your Phone Services
    Sep 20 2024
    Join us in today's throwback episode as we talk with Sarah Allen from Ruby, a remote receptionist service that can streamline your business. Learn how to effectively bolster your reputation, earn more money, and save time and stress from your day to day. Episode Highlights: Sarah mentions that she began her professional career in the trucking industry. (5:53) Sarah discusses Ruby's goal of providing a better client experience and enhancing your reputation. (8:47) Sarah discusses their workforce in the United States. (11:23) Sarah explains that all of their receptionists go through extensive training because it's a difficult profession that must be able to be flexible and switch between different businesses. (12:50) Sarah discusses how they manage calls for the brokerage. (16:38) Sarah explains the types of feedback and reports that they provide to business owners. (25:26) Sarah discusses the service package they offer. (31:57) Sarah explains that their onboarding phase is when they determine what their client needs in terms of services. (36:02) Sarah discusses how companies may contact Ruby to learn more about their products and services. (47:15) If Sarah had a statement, piece of advice, or quotation that she wishes to display on a billboard for everyone to see. What would it be? (50:42) Key Quotes: “Ruby was born out of the idea of giving people back time in their day.” - Sarah Allen “All of our receptionists go through a lot of training, because it's a very hard job, they have to be flexible, and to just have that ability to switch between different businesses.” - Sarah Allen “It's your reputation on the line, and we take that very seriously. We are keeping your brand and we're keeping your reputation and that's the most important thing.” - Sarah Allen Resources Mentioned: Sarah Allen LinkedIn Ruby Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Valley Trucking Insurance
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    54 mins
  • Throwback: Headache-free Fleet Management with TruckSpy

    Throwback: Headache-free Fleet Management with TruckSpy
    Sep 6 2024
    In this throwback episode of Get a Load of This podcast, Cameron Pechia, and Ryan Young are joined by Flint Holbrook, President of TruckSpy. We talk with Flint about using his fleet ownership experience and tech curiosity to create a platform to make truck fleet management a seamless process. Episode Highlights: Flint discusses his background and how he came to work in the trucking industry. (2:30) Flint shares that one of his defining moments was when he initially misread the market. (8:04) Flint explains that he enjoys a lot of tech stuff and sets that as a strategy for his company, TruckSpy, the all in one fleet telematics system. (11:31) Flint explains how TruckSpy’s drive camera uses artificial intelligence to identify risky driving behavior. (17:05) Flint shares some of the application features that they offer for their ELD, and its edge over other applications. (23:05) Flint goes into detail about their objectives and tactics for this year, and looks ahead to the future. (27:10) Flint shares how he built his company's culture and what he does to maintain it. (35:55) Flint talks about what the customer journey looks like at TruckSpy. (42:03) Flint reveals their plans to start a podcast. (49:09) Flint discusses why its a challenging time in the trucking industry right now. (51:03) Flint talks about time, the ultimate limiting factor. (55:36) Key Quotes: "If you can make the technology super easy for the driver, they'll use it, which as I'm sure that you guys know can be a big challenge." - Flint Holbrook "It's really important that if you're in the tech world, you can't just be like the tech guy. You've got to understand the business case of why are you building what you're building in order to solve your customer's needs.” - Flint Holbrook “We're not the cheapest provider, we are the highest value provider.” - Flint Holbrook Resources Mentioned: Flint Holbrook LinkedIn TruckSpy Cameron Pechia Thomas Comstock Ryan Young Valley Trucking Insurance
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    1 hr and 1 min