A program that helps women create trucking businesses is a third of the way to its goal.
The 150 Business Challenge, a collaboration between the Women In Trucking Association and Expediter Services, announced recently the creation of its 50th woman-owned business. The program offers accessible financing and operational and business support for women who have an interest in a career in the trucking industry.
Diana Jorgensen, one of the participants in the 150 Business Challenge, and her husband, Ed, get ready to hit the road in their new truck, which is part of the Panther Premium Logistics fleet. Panther Premium Logistics is a service of ArcBest.“The Business 150 Challenge is fast becoming the kind of impactful program that is beginning to shatter the glass ceilings that have existed for women entrepreneurs in the trucking industry,” said Ellen Voie, president and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association. “Thanks to this program being facilitated by the excellent work of Expediter Services and the ES community, the participants in the 150 Business Challenge are truly being empowered through the access to best-in-class resources and support.”
Combined, operations launched as a part of the 150 Business Challenge are generating a total of more than $1 million in revenue per month, according to a statement by Expediter Services.
“We believe that women coming into the industry will serve as a very important part of answering the challenge of the driver shortage, and it’s been great to see the response to a program in which women can become owner-operators and fleet owners,” said Nick Burch, director of recruiting for Panther Premium Logistics, which offers freight opportunities to entrepreneurs in the 150 Business Challenge.
In addition to serving as a platform for new women-owned businesses, the 150 Business Challenge also has provided existing women-owned fleets with the opportunity to add trucks.
“The 150 Business Challenge has been great for me in starting my business as an owner-operator,” said Nora Weston, who became an owner-operator earlier this year. “Expediter Services has given me all the support I have needed, and I am ready to grow.”
