Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope White.
Hope, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My path in transportation began within a big box retail fortune 500 company where I held a few roles within transportation. After five years within corporate transportation, my husband purchased a semi-truck. Through my experience within supply chain and assisting my spouse from time to time, I realized that my daily tasks at work and the industry my husband had just entered into were not that far apart. Through a little research, I found out that I could become my success in transportation as I had done so well for corporate. H.D. White Logistics, LLC was established in December 2016. We are a 3rd party Logistics provider and contract about 5500+ local and national trucking assets to move freight forward. We specialize in retail and grocery products.
I remained at corporate for an additional two years doing absolutely nothing with the business out of fear. May 2018, I left my corporate position and stepped fully into my business as CEO. Within three weeks of leaving my role, I secured my first retail contract and the second a week after that. Within four months four customers later, my business has grossed $682,000. We have been fully operational for 19 months, 12 customers later we are still sinking our feet in the vast industry.
What makes my company unique is that I am a Minority Woman operating in a White Male dominated industry. Also, I just happen to be located in the #1 state for Logistics. We can overcome all skeptics by ensuring we provide our customers, where carriers or manufacturers with the very best in Logistics Services and operate according to our core values which are Integrity, Passion and Accountability.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a completely smooth road. Being a Black Woman in white male dominated Industry of Logistics/Transportation it has been challenging securing business opportunities as my capability and knowledge is often challenged based upon my race and skin color. My counterparts often have less or limited resources than I, but are deemed business ready because of the current culture of the industry. Even when it comes to securing business capital or investors I have had difficulty getting those partners in the room to see me as more than a “trucking company or broker”. In order to push forward I have remained steadfast in my ever evolving knowledge and experience in Supply Chain, Logistics/Transportation and building relationships. I have overcome the initial limited business opportunities and hurdles by ensuring the accounts we have are maintained just as if I were a larger 3rd Party Logistics provider and with consistency we will obtain the business and credibility of that of our competitors. I have the highest degree of confidence in my abilities as a Logistics/Transportation provider even in the current markets.
Please tell us about your business.
We contract about 5500+ local and National Trucking assets to move Freight Forward. We specialize in retail and grocery products and work closely with owners who have dry van, Refrigerated and Flatbed assets. We also forward Freight out of Savannah, GA supporting the Georgia Port. Additionally, we train or consult with individuals who are interested in entering the Logistics/Transportation industry by helping them understand the steps needed to be successful. Our five years within Supply Chain/Corporate Transportation and 18 years of customer service allow us to provide those skills and tools needed.
I am most proud of our ability to interact with our customers whether that be carriers, manufactures or students. Also, our service to the customer, you would not be able to tell we are a small business as our delivery rates are 98% on time.
As I stated earlier we are Certified Minority Woman Owned/Operated Logistics Company and we are equipped with the knowledge, training and experience that rivals our competitors.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from my childhood is when I would visit my grandmother in West Palm Beach, Florida. Every summer she would take me to the canals in Wellington, Florida to fish. We would be surrounded by these beautiful horse farms. I would sit with my grandma all day, where we would fish and enjoy the breeze and watch the horses. On one particular trip, I was about 11 and we were fishing in the canal an alligator bit my line. He bit because I had a fish on the hook and did not know it. (laughing to myself). The gator almost pulled me straight in until my grandma jumped up and snapped the cane pole in half. It was funny and scary at the same time. My grandma didn’t flinch, she just sat back down on her bucket and told me to go to the car and get the other pole. I miss those times.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2020 Avalon Parkway Suite 305
- Phone: 6788331841
- Email: hope@hdwhitelogistics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hdwhitelogistics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HDWhitelogisticsllc/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/hd_llc
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