Charles Gracey of Hot Seat Services | Ep 6

In this episode of Miles and Mentors, Charles Gracey, founder of Hot Seat Services and host of the Cents Per Mile podcast, shares his journey through the trucking industry, from growing up around trucking to becoming a leader in driver recruitment and industry advocacy. With experience as a driver, recruiter, and business owner, Charles provides a wealth of knowledge on how truckers can navigate their careers, avoid common pitfalls, and position themselves for long-term success.

Charles was born into the trucking industry, with his father working in logistics. Although he initially resisted following in those footsteps, he eventually found himself drawn to the business. After serving in the military, he explored various career paths, including working as a chef, but ultimately decided to pursue trucking, earning his CDL and starting as a driver. His strong safety record and leadership skills led him into training and eventually into recruitment, where he discovered his ability to connect with drivers and help them find the right opportunities.

One of the major themes of this episode is the importance of understanding the business side of trucking. Charles stresses that many drivers enter the industry without fully grasping the financial and operational aspects of running a trucking business. He advises new drivers to gain experience as company drivers before jumping into ownership, emphasizing the need to learn the industry on someone else’s equipment before taking on the risks of owning a truck.

Charles also discusses the evolving job market and how drivers must be proactive in managing their careers. He warns against no-showing for job orientations and emphasizes the importance of building a strong professional reputation. With the current economic conditions, he urges drivers to be strategic about job changes, ensuring they make informed decisions based on long-term stability rather than short-term gains.

In addition to recruitment, Charles is passionate about mentorship and industry education. He believes that drivers should take advantage of all available resources, ask questions, and seek out mentors who can guide them through challenges. He highlights the role of networking in career growth and encourages drivers to build relationships with recruiters, fleet managers, and other industry professionals.

Looking ahead, Charles sees increased regulation, automation, and technology playing a larger role in trucking. He advises drivers to stay informed about industry trends, be adaptable, and continuously develop their skills to remain competitive.

For those interested in learning more, Charles shares his insights regularly on Cents Per Mile and through Hot Seat Services, where he works with companies and drivers to improve recruitment and retention strategies.

If you are starting a trucking business or growing your fleet and need expert guidance, reach out to us today—our industry expert partners can help you make the right decisions for long-term success.