*Cue Beyoncé track* “Who run the world? Girls!” “Who run the world? Girls!”
It’s the third day, of the third month of Women’s History Month, and today we’re talking with the “Leading Ladies of Logistix”. They are the premier organization for female logistics and transportation professionals in North America. In case that went over your head a little, just think about how your Amazon Prime order gets from the manufacturer, to the warehouse, to your home. These ladies are leading the way in a male dominated field. There has been some progress however, and in 2020, 47% of the trucking and logistics industry was made up of women. This includes 7% of drivers and 23% of all management roles. One upside is the fact that women and men get paid the same as drivers, as wages are based on based on mileage, hours or percentage of the load. However, pay discrepancies still exist in upper management.
“The Leading Ladies of Logistix” provide opportunities for women in the transportation and logistics industry to be successful on their own terms. In addition to professional and personal development for their members, they continue to form a community of women that uplift and support each other. If you have ever wanted to get into this business, this is the place for you to learn, grow, and make meaningful connections.
We had a chance to chat with the founders to get a little more insight on how their journey got started, day to day operations, and the legacy they want to leave on the next generation.
Most of us don’t understand logistics and transport; we just click “Submit Order” on Amazon. Could you break it down for us?
“Logistics is the planning, implementation and process flow of getting goods from the point of origin to the customer. Transportation is the actual movement of the goods from the point of origin to the customer. The terms are often used interchangeably but they are totally different lanes. One focuses on movement and the other focuses on the process flow. Together they provide the prefect solutions to making sure that we have what we need when we are shopping for our essentials needs and wants.”
Founding member, Vanessa Gant of Provision Accounting Solutions, LLC
Describe the journey for us. How did you grow into the force you are today?
“We began as a small organization with less than 50 women in our Facebook group. We have now grown to over 2700 women in that group, and they come for daily advice and guidance. As we began to grow quickly, we realized we needed a bigger team. We now have more than 10 mentors with several years of transportation and Logistics experience that have committed to assisting these women in their business journeys.”
Founder of Leading Ladies of Logistix, Tristen Simmons of Lady Logistix LLC
“In the beginning, I feel like there were some uncertainty, anxiousness, and excitement on how we were going to break into this male-dominated industry as a woman organization. We had the vision of how we wanted the movement to be, and that was to empower, connect, support, and network with other women in the transportation industry. However, we were unsure how to promote Leading Ladies of Logistix and how to peruse women that this was a safe haven to network, collaborate and ask questions.
The purpose of this organization is to inspire and mentor others on their own personal journeys in the transportation industry. We wanted to have a different kind of conversation in a safe place within this organization, and build trust, security, connections, and learn from other women. We were able to build a social media and Facebook group platform through the communication of trust and word of mouth, once they realize how experience and truthful, we were, that opened up the doorway for more women to join our organization. Women leaders have shown themselves to be persuasive, strong motivators, problem solvers, and mentors. Yet, the journey in transportation for many women is not a simple, linear road. There are various twists and turns, starts and stops, and assorted roadmaps that women must navigate through toward this journey. We thought if other women would be exposed to other female leaders it would help them interpret their personal goals as realistic targets for themselves. We knew that if other women saw us in leadership roles, it would show how other women have broken barriers and navigated their way into this male-dominated industry. Telling our stories was a method of learning and gaining insight into our paths of success and trust within other women.”
Co-Founder of Leading Ladies of Logistix, Samantha Smith of Advanced Transport Solutions, LLC
What impact would you all like to have on the next generation of leaders?
“We would like for the next generation of women to realize that they can still be successful, while helping other women, even in a male dominant industry.”
Founder of Leading Ladies of Logistix, Tristen Simmons of Lady Logistix LLC
Where do you see this organization and leadership in the next 5 years?
“In the next 5 years I would like to see hundreds of success stories from women in our organization. My goal is for L.L.O.L. to be connected with more corporate and government contracts so that we are a national hub for successful trucking companies. This will allow more opportunities for minority/woman owned businesses.”
Founder of Leading Ladies of Logistix, Tristen Simmons of Lady Logistix LLC
Take us through a day-by-day journey of the “Ladies of Logistics”.
“As a woman in the transportation industry, we wear many hats, especially when you are the owner of the company. I wear of the hats of an instructor, mentor, coach, dispatch, freight agent and owner operator. I oversee 18 dispatchers, service 62 trucks and also handle back office and compliance. We wake up as early as 5AM to speak to our brokers about loads to get our drivers moving, process invoices, load our dispatcher loads in our TMS System (Transportation Management Software) and organize our units for the next day. I schedule my mentorship calls and zooms sometimes about 11AM and follow up with my clients and their progress. For me, I then switch to my Freight agent hat and cold call my shippers and send out rates for new lanes. At some point in the day, I am also an online high school teacher these days and then mommy mode with dinner and family time.”
“Transportation is not easy but with the hard work, education, mentorship from others and dedication, I have added skills and continue to strive for success in my lane.”
Founding member, Tawana Randall and founder of Gold Star Logistics Group, LLC
Has there been any impact or changes in business due to COVID?
“The effects of COVID on the transportation and logistics industry will be long lasting. The industry has been forced to rely on technology more and operating a lean organization while meeting customer demand. During the shutdown many trucking companies saw a reduction in revenue because many retailers and warehouses were closed or operating on limited hours and goods couldn’t be delivered. On the other hand, logistics companies were left with implementing a schedule for the goods delivered as quickly as possible with the restrictions that were in place. Despite many trucking companies closing their doors – many of my clients have been able to start new transportation companies, increase their fleet and net multi 6 figures in their first year of business.”
Founding member, Vanessa Gant of Provision Accounting Solutions, LLC
What would you teach young women or young girls who would like to enter into this occupation?
“We would like for young women to know that it is possible and there are resources and women that look like them that are willing to help. It gives women hope when they hear someone going through similar trials and overcoming the trials and being successful. As long as you make the investment to educate yourself, apply the knowledge you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Any upcoming events?
“Currently we are working on a few side projects that will be satellite resources for our Mentors and Mentees. Tawana, founder of Gold Star Logistics is hosting Dispatch & back-office trainings scheduled for March & April. There are also plans of potential opportunity to be in Summerville SC for a Juneteenth event. Vanessa Gant, the founder of Provision Accounting Solutions LLC will be a Keynote speaker at the #GirlGetUp Conference in St. George SC.”
Founding member, Tawana Randall and founder of Gold Star Logistics Group, LLC
Founding member, Vanessa Gant of Provision Accounting Solutions, LLC
Candace Green is a Birmingham, Alabama transplant by way of Washington DC. She enjoys reading, writing, cooking and eating amazing food, and Marvel movies. She is an author and blogger. You can follow her on IG: c_dog93
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