From First Turn to Fleet Wisdom with Chemistry Howard | Ep 54

In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, Chemistry Howard, known as The Classy Trucker, brings a deeply personal and practical perspective on what it takes to not only survive but thrive in the trucking industry. With over a decade of experience and more than three million miles on the road, Chemistry walks us through the earliest moments of her journey, beginning with a childhood memory of her grandfather stepping out of his gleaming Peterbilt and igniting a lifelong fascination with trucks. Despite her grandfather’s firm resistance to her interest in driving, Chemistry quietly studied the industry, eventually earning her CDL and proving that persistence, grit, and curiosity can open doors even in the most male-dominated environments.

As the conversation unfolds, Chemistry shares pivotal moments from her early driving days, including the sense of victory she felt after completing her first right-hand turn in a full rig. That single maneuver marked a turning point in her confidence and commitment to the profession. She reflects on the pressures of being one of the few women in the field and the spiritual, mental, and emotional strength it takes to stay in the game. She emphasizes the importance of listening only to those who have truly earned their stripes, following a personal rule to only take advice from drivers with at least ten years of experience. Her story about backing into a tight dock at a Pepsi facility, under the silent watch of skeptical onlookers, becomes a metaphor for grace under pressure and the power of staying meticulous in a fast-paced environment.

Throughout the episode, Chemistry dives deep into the transition from company driver to owner-operator, offering firsthand insight into the financial realities of running your own rig. She shares the highs and lows of ownership, from building relationships with brokers and factoring companies to facing unexpected repairs like a full tire replacement that cost over $11,000. She discusses the pressures that lead drivers to delay preventative maintenance and highlights the costly consequences of those choices, recalling a situation where another driver’s decision to let a truck sit with bad fuel led to over $30,000 in damage. Chemistry underscores the critical need to have systems in place, to do your research, and to understand that buying a truck does not make you a business owner unless you are also ready to manage the paperwork, cash flow, and compliance requirements that come with it.

She also opens up about the emotional toll of trucking, particularly the time spent away from family, and how being on the road can strain personal relationships. Her decision to step back from ownership temporarily was driven by the need to care for her two sons, showing the difficult balance many drivers face between providing for their families and being present with them. Even so, her passion for the road never faded. Today, Chemistry is building The Classy Trucker platform and launching a new digital storytelling series called Velocity, which highlights the real-life experiences of women navigating careers in male-dominated fields like trucking. Inspired by the elegance and resilience of women from past generations, Chemistry uses this creative project to mentor, inspire, and connect with others who are carving their own paths behind the wheel.

This episode is more than a career story. It is a mentorship session packed with wisdom about the mindset, preparation, and humility required to sustain a long-term career in trucking. Chemistry’s experience offers invaluable lessons on how to identify the right guidance, build a reliable business, stay mentally and emotionally resilient, and elevate others in the process. Whether you’re a new driver, a seasoned operator, or someone considering the leap into ownership, her story delivers the kind of clarity and conviction that only comes from truly living the miles.