Choppin' It Up

Shannon Breen, From Finance to Freight: Building FreightVana

Episode Summary

In this episode of Choppin' It Up, Will Jenkins interviews Shannon Breen, Co-CEO and Founder of FreightVana. They discuss Shannon's journey from growing up in Oregon to his career in finance and ultimately to the freight industry. Shannon shares insights on the importance of relationships in freight, lessons learned from his time in transportation, and the challenges faced during the mergers. He also talks about the founding of FreightVana and the vision behind creating a differentiated logistics brand. In this conversation, Will Jenkins shares the journey of building FreightVana, a unique freight brokerage that combines technology and equipment to create a differentiated experience in the logistics industry. He discusses the challenges faced in the first year, the importance of customer engagement, and the lessons learned as an entrepreneur. Jenkins emphasizes the significance of authenticity and fulfillment in the workplace, and he looks ahead to future growth and opportunities for the company.

Episode Notes

SUMMARY:

In this episode of Choppin' It Up, Will Jenkins interviews Shannon Breen, Co-CEO and Founder of FreightVana. They discuss Shannon's journey from growing up in Oregon to his career in finance and ultimately to the freight industry. Shannon shares insights on the importance of relationships in freight, lessons learned from his time in transportation, and the challenges faced during the mergers. He also talks about the founding of FreightVana and the vision behind creating a differentiated logistics brand. In this conversation, Will Jenkins shares the journey of building FreightVana, a unique freight brokerage that combines technology and equipment to create a differentiated experience in the logistics industry. He discusses the challenges faced in the first year, the importance of customer engagement, and the lessons learned as an entrepreneur. Jenkins emphasizes the significance of authenticity and fulfillment in the workplace, and he looks ahead to future growth and opportunities for the company.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Shannon grew up in a competitive environment, influencing his entrepreneurial spirit.
• His transition to freight was driven by a friend's opportunity at Knight Transportation.
• Building relationships in freight is crucial for success.
• Discipline learned at Knight Transportation has been vital in his entrepreneurial journey.
• The merger with Swift provided valuable lessons in leadership and collaboration.
• Shannon's experience in managing large teams helped him understand business scalability.
• He emphasizes the importance of having the right people around to succeed at scale.
• FreightVana was founded with a focus on creating a differentiated brand in logistics.
• Shannon's past experiences shaped his vision for FreightVana.
• The journey of building FreightVana is seen as a return to the 'league' of logistics. Building from the ground up allows for unique differentiation.
• The first year of a startup is filled with uncertainty and challenges.
• Customer engagement is crucial for growth and validation.
• Authenticity in business fosters strong connections with clients.
• Fulfillment in work is more important than financial success.
• Embracing challenges is essential for entrepreneurial growth.
• Team dynamics can shift, and it's important to celebrate individual successes.
• Reflecting on milestones helps maintain motivation and perspective.
• Investing in technology and equipment can unlock new opportunities.
• The science of grit is vital for assessing potential and success.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 Introduction to the Journey
• 02:41 Background and Early Influences
• 04:53 Transitioning to Freight
• 07:07 Building Relationships in Freight
• 11:43 Lessons from Knight Transportation
• 14:07 Navigating the Merger
• 18:31 The Birth of FreightVana
• 25:10 Building FreightVana from the Ground Up
• 28:23 The First Year: Challenges and Triumphs
• 35:16 Turning Points and Customer Engagement
• 41:15 Lessons Learned as an Entrepreneur
• 45:30 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Growth