Program Focused On Developing Women-Owned Businesses In Transportation Surpasses Milestone

Expediter Services, a leader in offering capacity solutions and ownership opportunities within the trucking industry, announced that participation in the 150 Business Challenge recently surpassed a milestone as more than 30 women-owned businesses have now been created by utilizing the program, which is a collaboration between the Women In Trucking Association and Expediter Services (ES).

Launched as an initiative to assist in the growth of new women-owned small businesses within the transportation sector, the 150 Business Challenge is working to assist with the start-up and growth of 150 new trucking businesses over the next year. Participants in the 150 Business Challenge have access to competitive market-rate financing, a broad range of new equipment choices and fuel discounts. ES also provides participants with industry-leading support featuring a maintenance program and operational expertise as well as back-office services and business planning assistance. Forward Air and Panther Premium Logistics, a Service of ArcBest, are the participating carriers in the program, offering consistent freight opportunities to entrepreneurs in the 150 Business Challenge.

"It is so rewarding to know that the 150 Business Challenge has already helped more than 30 women start their own small businesses in trucking as owner-operators and as fleet owners through this program. It's very exciting to see this kind of growth. It's also very empowering and encouraging to see these women-owned businesses get started," said Ellen Voie, President and CEO of the Women In Trucking Association. "The program that ES has developed is ideal for promoting the growth of women-owned businesses in transportation. The reality is that, even in 2018, a lot of women have not established a credit record, and that makes it more difficult for them to get a loan to buy a truck. Through the 150 Business Challenge, ES has taken the approach of looking at their work history ahead of their credit history. They are looking at the individual and what kind of business owner they can be. And once they are a part of the program, they are providing these new business owners with the support they need to be successful."

The growth of opportunities for women in the trucking industry was one of the main topics during the recent 2018 Spring ES Group Gathering, which was hosted by Expediter Services. The conference, held in Southaven, Miss., drew more than 100 professional drivers who gathered to hear industry updates and learn more about the opportunities offered through the ES Network.

Voie was one of the featured presenters at Spring ES Group Gathering. Attendees also heard presentations from Managing Director and head of Stephens' Transportation & Logistics Group Michael Miller, Chief Operating Officer for The National Transportation Institute Leah Shaver, Vice President of Recruiting for Forward Air Ryan Gilliam and Nick Burch, Director of Recruiting for Panther Premium Logistics, a Service of ArcBest. The presentations covered a broad scope of topics with a large focus on the state of the economy and the strength of the prospects that can now be found within the trucking industry.

For conference attendee Nora Weston, the information she received at the 2018 Spring ES Group Gathering was further confirmation of her decision to buy a truck through ES and the 150 Business Challenge.

"I can't say enough about the way that ES helped me through the buying process with my new truck, and I'm proud to be a part of the 150 Challenge," said Weston. "I picked up a lot of valuable information during the EGG, and I am excited about what's ahead in the future. With the kind of support and the opportunities that are provided through ES, I believe that my husband and I can achieve our dream of starting and growing a fleet."

"We've been very pleased with the response that we've received since initiating the 150 Business Challenge, and the discussions from our industry experts at the 2018 Spring ES Group Gathering helped to highlight the opportunities that are available for women and men to become truck owners and to grow fleets," said Expediter Services President Jason Williams. "With the increasing demand for capacity, it's a great time to enter the trucking industry as an owner-operator or fleet owner. One of the goals of the 150 Business Challenge is to make women aware that there is a program that can make truck ownership and becoming an entrepreneur a reality. By working together, we can make great things happen. The programs that we have put into place at ES are focused on helping professionals behind the wheel achieve success as business owners."

Expediter Services will be hosting the 2018 Summer ES Group Gathering on July 20th during the Expediters Expo in Lexington, Ky. For more information and to register for this upcoming event, call 877-349-9303.

About Expediter Services:? A full service, one-stop support company with expertise in financial services, relationship lending and general business support, Expediter Services has developed highly effective programs focused on creating opportunities for independent contract drivers and owner-operators in the trucking industry. ES features support in the areas of contract driver services, equipment finance, truck sales, management services and insurance services. In addition to serving as the leading provider of capacity in the expedited sector of trucking, ES has also built a strong network of independent contract drivers, owner-operators, fleet owners and partner carriers within the over-the-road, general trucking sector of the transportation industry. For more information opportunities in expedited transportation, visit? ExpediterServices.com. For information on opportunities in general trucking, visit SuccessInTrucking.com.

More Info: http://expediterservices.com/