We recently connected with Shelita Kicklighter and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shelita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

For the past 20 years, I can recall my dad driving “Big trucks” As a little girl, I remember my dad getting up wee hours of the morning on his way to drive the “Big trucks” as I got older, I developed a deeper understanding as to just how much work came with driving those “Big Trucks.” As a teenager, I began assisting with various paperwork and tasks to help my dad out here and there. However, it wasn’t until I was an adult, a Georgia Southern graduate working in my degree industry (feeling very unfulfilled and underpaid, might I add), that I met a lady at my job. As time went on, we began developing a friendly co-worker relationship, and during one of our many small lunchroom talks, she informed me that her husband also drove trucks. As we bonded over the similarities of the truck driver men in our lives, she shared with me the increased workload and the profitability she faced with obtaining her husband’s “Rights and Authority.” I immediately went home and shared this news with my father, who informed me he was familiar with the process but heard it was a lot of work. Well, that was a challenge I took on for myself. I researched the information and noted all the required steps. I made many mistakes along the way, but I successfully started a family business by obtaining our authority. My dad, of course, shared this news with his friends who were in the industry. It wasn’t long after I received many phone calls asking for assistance and eventually decided to resign from my position and work full-time for our business. That seems like a long time, but it was only three years ago.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I currently have a small fleet of trucks supporting local drayage work and regional loads throughout the Southeast. I provide administration and dispatching support to my clients. I offer One on One Dispatch courses for anyone interested in learning more about the transportation industry and its potential growth opportunities. I created a Logistics Planner that is versatile for any user. I also have an E-book on Dispatching that is set to release before the end of 2022.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Being resilient was Key to my success THEN and NOW. No matter the problem, rejection, or issue, I found it imperative to keep pushing forward. I can recall the earlier frustrations of my journey, spending hours after work making cold calls and applying for applications only to receive a rejection letter requesting more information. There were also times when the forms would be returned without an explanation, It was then I became resilient, choosing to ignore the feeling of defeat and find a solution to my problem. It didn’t matter if I had to resubmit documentation 2-3 times or make 100-200 calls a day. I learned something new and gained more and more knowledge. You only get to succeed by being resilient.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been my ability to take advantage of different kinds of marketing opportunities. From passing out flyers at local truck stops to posting, joining social media groups, and attending seminars and conventions. I actively look for opportunities to network with people. I’ve also learned the power of ” word of mouth,” which can be your best friend or your worst enemy, so it’s best to always give a Great lasting impression! While building up my clientele I have started offering dispatch courses that have reached a lot of people on social media, selling my E-book and planner have also increased my clientele. Both are available for purchase on my website.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maetransportllc.com
• Instagram: maetransportllc
• Linkedin: Maetransport