MY STORY

WHO IS SAMANTHA?

Throughout my life, I’ve exceeded societal constraints and soared beyond limited expectations. I graduated from high school a year early with honors and was the first grandchild in my family to graduate college and earn my MBA. Still, I was raised to play things safe and pursue a “normal” career – you know the ones – either as a doctor, teacher, or attorney. There was a time when I thought being an attorney was the route I was going to take.

Until I Made a Different Choice…

Becoming an entrepreneur in trucking didn’t cross my mind until 2011, when my husband asked me to help with his company. Together, we restructured the business and formed Elite Freight Services in 2011, which delivers customized shipping solutions to meet the distinctive needs of our customers and fulfill their unique shipping demands.

Being completely self-taught, I learned there’s so much more to this industry than just driving a truck! (Spoiler alert: you can own a trucking company if you don’t have a Commercial Driver’s License) From logistics, infrastructure, to project management, there are many levels of transportation. It has worked to my advantage to not only know such terms like compliance, but understand how that impacts my trucking business from both a state and federal perspective. Regulatory obligations, obtaining permits, and understanding profit and loss – it’s been quite the ride. This is why it is important to know intimately the business you are entering!

Today, our business has grown to include five drivers and trucks. In 2018, I started my second logistics business – Advanced Transport Solutions, which provides world-class, third-party logistics and freight brokerage services across North America. I am also the co-founder of Leading Ladies of Logistix, a multi-faceted mentorship organization designed to be an incubator resource tool to empower women to be successful in this industry.

My journey is a testament that there is always room to grow, evolve, and accomplish new things. Don’t limit yourself based on your current circumstances or the expectations that others place on you. I used to want to play it safe and live life within societal constraints. There is no shame in that path in life – I did it all. I used to work in retail. I used to work in banking. It’s what I was taught to go after. I dared to color outside the lines and it has paid off! If you want more you have to take that leap of faith.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

– The Serenity Prayer

WHAT DOES SAMANTHA DO?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Maya Angelou

When I started in this field, I didn’t see or know anyone who looked like me. That inspired me to merge my passions for advocacy, mentorship, and women empowerment. Unfortunately, transportation is still a male-dominated industry, but there is so much room for more women to take up space.

DID YOU KNOW?

Female executives in trucking make up 36% of the leadership in transportation and just over 45% of non-executive employees.
The number of female drivers increased almost 30% from 2018 to 2019, to more than 10% of drivers, one survey of logistics professionals found. Women now staff a quarter of some fleets, says Craig Fuller, the CEO of transportation data firm FreightWaves.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, report in 2020, just over 40% of truck transportation is made up of people of colour and 12% made up of women

Driven to share my expertise, I saw a need to assist my peers who felt the impact of the pandemic. Taking action, I created virtual educational programs and coaching seminars for women looking to empower themselves and their families.

WHY TRUCKING?

Here are four reasons why the trucking industry will change your life!

It’s recession proof! There is always a need, everything must be delivered by some means.

As a fleet operator and broker, you can control your rate and be selective about who you do business with.

You can make an impact! By controlling the rate there is a direct pipeline to your team having a healthy family-work balance in this field. I love that I can provide my drivers with a better quality of life.

You can build a legacy for your children and family.

Testimonials

What Our Clients
Are Saying

"I've known Samantha for 10+ years & she was first on my list to contact when I decided to leave being a truck driver behind & jump into freight brokering! She has accomplished many things in the transportation industry! Her track record is 1 that shows & prove she knows what she is doing! Samantha brings all of that into her training program! Very thorough, insightful & breaks everything down so you can understand it! Whenever I have a question she always responds with an answer! I call her my mentor & I'm very thankful for her help in getting me on the right path!"

"My Name is Amanda, owner of Enhancing Logistics. I had the pleasure of getting training from one of the BEST in the industry Samantha "Logistics Chic" Smith. Through her knowledge and experience Logistics Chic gives you the blueprint to own and run your own trucking company and freight brokerage. The Passion that she puts into her training courses was life changing, as it has prepared me to successfully run my own trucking company, all while continuing to be a wife and mother. Thank you, logistics chic, for paving the way for others to invest in themselves, you are the definition of a true BOSS!!!!!"

"Samantha is a one woman show! She brings so much knowledge and experience to the table. She has been my mentor and my go-to since 2019 when I first took her freight brokering course. Samantha’s knowledge of the transportation industry is abundant. Not only did she guide me through freight brokering but she helped me start and run my trucking company. Her teaching skills were very thorough and understandable. Best part is that with the knowledge, comes her passion and love for the industry which sparks motivation within you! Anytime I need her, she’s always been there to help guide the way. Her resources are very helpful! Big or small she knows it all!
My #1 coach!"