We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zack Mitchell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zack below.

Zack, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

In 2022, I embarked on the journey of starting my own business, spurred by a pivotal transition in my life. Exiting a serious relationship and feeling unfulfilled at work led me to question the direction of my life. In pursuit of answers, I engaged in a soul-searching process, investing time in self-discovery.

Leaving my job without a backup plan was a bold decision driven by the realization that settling for any job wouldn’t lead to true fulfillment. Despite the financial strain during several months of unemployment, this period allowed me the necessary time for introspection and seeking guidance through prayer.

During this hiatus, I delved into literature, particularly finding inspiration in “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki. This book ignited a drive within me and challenged me to uncover my true passions. Soon after, I stumbled upon a job posting for an independent contractor position in the trucking industry, an area entirely unfamiliar to me. Seeking guidance from a family friend with industry insights, I took a leap of faith, starting at the ground level to learn the ropes of the business.

The taste of running my own business within the dispatching company fueled my entrepreneurial hunger. However, my goals evolved, leading me to a different direction within the industry. The turning point came when, during a church intramural softball league, I developed a connection with a teammate who introduced me to a determined individual seeking assistance with his newly acquired truck and trailer. We decided to merge our companies, forming First Priority Transport, where he manages ground operations, and I handle back office, marketing, and business development.

Reflecting on my journey, I wish I had embraced entrepreneurship sooner than the 3 1/2 years spent working in a job for the sake of experience and bills. Nonetheless, my time at a small financial planning firm, despite my initial dissatisfaction, proved invaluable. The hands-on experience in running a small business surpassed the theoretical knowledge gained in college. I’ve come to understand that, personally and professionally, God has played a mysterious yet significant role in orchestrating the course of my life. Operating as a faith-based transportation company, we attribute all our success to Him, trusting in His plan and provision.

In hindsight, I recognize the necessity of my developmental period – a metaphorical stint in the minors – before taking the leap into the “big leagues” of starting and running my own company.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In 2022, as I navigated the next steps in my career, a remote position caught my eye – an opportunity as an independent contractor in the trucking industry. Following discussions with Joseph Serio, the current President of D&M Transportation Solutions and a family friend, I embraced the chance to immerse myself in a field where I had no prior experience.

Recognizing the importance of starting somewhere, I saw this as a golden opportunity to learn the intricacies of the trucking industry, even in a modest capacity within the broader logistics market. This exposure fueled my inspiration to eventually expand into other sectors of the market.

A significant milestone in shaping my company’s trajectory was the merger of my business partner and my operations. This resulted in the establishment of an asset-based trucking division, equipped with physical assets (trucks), and a brokerage division. This dual structure enhances our viability and attractiveness to companies seeking freight solutions.

Our freight brokerage operations not only offer insight into market rates but also ensure competitive pricing for our customers. Unlike traditional brokers, we operate with a flat 10% rate, promoting transparency and eliminating the unpredictability often associated with shipping costs. This model, combined with full disclosure in our invoicing, has garnered positive feedback from our customers who appreciate the simplicity and clarity.

At First Priority Transport, our motto, “Moving America: Making Trucking Great Again,” reflects our aspiration to be a market disrupter. Recognizing the challenges faced by owner-operators and smaller carriers, we aim to challenge the prevailing dynamics of the industry. In response to the industry’s current state, where brokerages squeeze carriers with exorbitant commissions, we are committed to becoming a comprehensive logistics solution. This includes freight forwarding, asset-based trucking, permitting, pilot car services, and more. While our roots are in Tampa, FL, we provide nationwide freight shipping services and aspire to make a global impact.

Central to our company is our faith, which shapes our commitment to philanthropy and community service. We envision offering opportunities for those who have been formerly incarcerated, providing them with a second chance at life. Our giving nature stems from the belief that service is a reflection of our higher purpose. First Priority Transport is not just a business but a tool to fulfill our mission, allowing us to give back, achieve success, and lead fulfilled lives.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

The serendipitous encounter with my co-founder and business partner reads like a testament to divine orchestration. I met him through the captain of my coed church softball league, an intersection of timing and place that defies explanation except through the lens of faith.

A friend from church reached out, needing one more player for a softball league team. Despite having no softball experience since childhood and lacking equipment, I decided to help out. Borrowing a glove and bat, and without baseball cleats, I joined a team where I knew no one, including the captain, Robert. Fortunately, my outgoing nature helped me connect with teammates swiftly.

In the course of conversations with Robert, he shared that “his brother,” Angel, had recently sold his house to fund a truck and trailer. At the time, I was actively seeking a catalyst for my current business operations. It was as if Angel, my now-business partner, was an answer to my prayers. Remarkably, the feeling was mutual. Recognizing the divine alignment, we decided to collaborate, leading to the eventual merger that formed our current company, First Priority Transport. Our partnership, rooted in faith and answered prayers, has become a cornerstone of our business success.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The creation of my company came out of a pivotal/transitionary time in my life. I had just left my financial planning job with no backup plan and really no sound direction in where I was heading career wise. All I could do was pray and find whatever I was looking for deep down within myself. It took several months of reading certain business books, life books, prayer and meditation, and money from my savings spent keeping me afloat… until I eventually was turned on to something that I knew without doubt that I wanted to pursue. That was to start my own company. My dad and uncle ran their own family business so I guess you could say the entrepreneur mindset was in my blood all along so I guess it makes since when I stumbled upon the particular niche I wanted to go in was when I was determined to make my dream a reality. It happened to be in the logistics space when I found the opportunity to work as an independent contractor for a dispatching company. This vision eventually became a reality and once that happened God helped me gain and develop valuable relationships and partnerships that served as the catalyst for my newfound career in logistics. If my future self would have visited my past self during college and said that I would start my own trucking company I would’ve laughed and said I must have had too much fun the night prior… however, even though there were many roadblocks and closed doors in my personal and career life I was able to open a door that I have been blessed with that will stay open for me so long as I am living on this earth.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.firstprioritytrans.com
• Instagram: firstprioritytransport
• Facebook: First Priority Transport
• Linkedin: First Priority Transport
• Youtube: FirstPriorityTransport

Image Credits
All images were taken personally by our company First Priority Transport. All images are from different loads we ran for our customers.