Finding Growth in Freight & Logistics | Will Hopkins | Ep 18

In this episode of Miles and Mentors, Will Hopkins, co-founder of Black Box Logistics, shares his journey from entering the freight industry with no prior knowledge to building a successful third-party freight brokerage. He provides insights into entrepreneurship, industry challenges, and the value of mentorship in navigating the logistics business.

Will’s path into logistics began unexpectedly when a friend introduced him to a freight brokerage. Initially unfamiliar with the industry, he quickly immersed himself in brokering freight, working for a Roadrunner agency before launching his own dispatching company. After a year, he transitioned to founding Black Box Logistics, which has grown into a 45-person operation in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reflecting on his early career, Will emphasizes the importance of learning through experience. While mentorship helped accelerate his growth, he believes that the best lessons come from facing industry challenges firsthand. He also discusses the emotional resilience required in logistics, explaining how he initially let setbacks affect his entire day but later developed a solution-focused mindset.

One of the biggest shifts in Will’s career came when he launched a dispatching company, giving him a deeper understanding of the struggles that owner-operators and small fleets face. This experience shaped his approach to running Black Box Logistics, reinforcing his commitment to conducting business fairly and maintaining strong carrier relationships.

Will highlights the increasing role of social media and digital networking in logistics, particularly on LinkedIn. Initially using the platform to connect with industry professionals, he quickly realized the value of sharing insights and engaging with others in the space. This eventually led him to co-host 2 Dawgs, 1 Pod, a logistics-focused podcast where he and his co-host, Matt Dahl, have conversations with industry leaders.

Looking ahead, Will sees technology continuing to reshape logistics, particularly through automation and process optimization. While he acknowledges that tech is often overhyped, he believes that automation can improve efficiency by eliminating repetitive tasks, allowing brokers to focus on revenue-generating activities. He also stresses the importance of adaptability, advising new entrants to consistently refine their processes and remain open to learning from others.

For those entering the industry, Will’s advice is to seek mentorship, focus on daily improvement, and develop strong business processes from the start. He encourages trucking entrepreneurs to secure freight commitments before launching a company, as securing work with new authorities has become increasingly difficult due to fraud concerns. For brokers, he recommends starting under an agency model to reduce financial risk before transitioning to an independent operation.

As Black Box Logistics continues to scale, Will remains committed to fostering a company culture that balances ambition with sustainability. With a new office space and a growing team, the company is focused on expanding its footprint while maintaining its reputation for reliability and ethical business practices.

For more insights from Will Hopkins, follow him on LinkedIn and tune into 2 Dawgs, 1 Pod.

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