In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, Kristy Knichel, CEO of Knichel Logistics, shares her 28-year journey from answering phones in her father’s intermodal company to running one of the most respected woman-owned logistics firms in the country. Kristy opens up about her early career, including the moment she left logistics to work at a pizza shop and the realization that brought her back. That pivot eventually led her to co-found Knichel Logistics in 2003 with just a handful of employees and a lot of grit.
Throughout the episode, Kristy reflects on the real-life challenges that come with building a business in the freight world. She discusses the early struggles of learning compliance on the fly, developing company culture through trial and error, and making tough personnel decisions that are necessary but often painful. Her honesty about the emotional side of leadership, including the loneliness and doubt that can accompany growth, offers rare insight for other founders and fleet owners.
One of Kristy’s key messages is about the value of taking action. She explains how overthinking can become a silent killer of momentum, while imperfect progress often leads to the clarity and results needed to move forward. She also shares why not all revenue is good revenue, stressing the importance of qualifying customers and standing by your company’s values even when cash flow is tight.
Mentorship emerges as a central theme in Kristy’s story. She credits much of her development to asking questions, listening to others, and staying humble through each phase of her career. In turn, she now mentors others in the space, advocating for a people first approach to business and a continuous learning mindset. For new freight professionals, owner operators, or anyone building a team, Kristy’s insights deliver actionable lessons on resilience, culture, and customer strategy.
Whether you are just starting out or in the thick of growing your company, this episode is a must listen. Kristy’s candid take on leadership, logistics, and learning by doing will resonate with anyone serious about succeeding in the transportation industry.