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Our partner of the month for April is Harley’s Welding & Trans, LLC. We caught up with Cindy to chat with her about how the company got started and what keeps them trucking.

  • Please tell us a little more about your business.

My husband and I got married in 1972. We started our business in 1972 as a welding and cross country pipeline business. Then we had 3 boys and moved to Oregon and in 1982 we went into trucking. We did hauling of our own equipment. In 1995 we got our interstate authority and then we did dump truck, belly dump, road construction, flatbed (lumber etc), and then we started reefer trucking when we had our boys. Then the boys all went out on our own so now it’s me and Rod. We do reefer and dry, local seasonal stuff. I do the dispatching, the paperwork etc. We mostly do the three states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Rod is home every night.

We have 2 trucks but we only run 1 at the moment. We used to run quite a few but it was difficult because it’s hard to find good drivers. Our boys all started when they were 18. Then they couldn’t drive out of the state. I’d say we are a trucking family. The boys have their own trucks and they wanted to do their own thing and bought their own trucks. As far as grandchildren going into trucking, they all had girls, but since trucking is becoming easier to access by women, who knows.

  • What is most challenging about what you do for a living?

Probably all the new regulations and hours and service. Lots have changed.

  • What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this business?

Do a lot of checking on the new rules before you jump into it. If you deal with brokers make sure you have good brokers that will stay with you. Be courteous to shippers and receivers because that gets you a long way.

  • How long have you been with Pay4Freight?

We’ve been with them for a long time. They are one of the best factoring companies out here. I think they go above and beyond what’s expected of them. I really like them.

  • How do you keep a work-life balance?

We keep it local now so Rod is home every night but in the past, we had to be flexible and schedule around the business. Now, we haul a lot of watermelons during the watermelon season and then we work over the weekend but otherwise, it’s just regular hours.

  • Anything you would like to add?

The market is now more open to women and I encourage women who want to get into the trucking industry to get involved. It used to be a man’s world but now women can gain a foothold. The ones I used to know have retired. Don’t get discouraged. Just hang in here. The truck stops are recognizing women and making it safer for women.