Avsnitt
-
Most fans know Earl Bennett as one of the greatest receivers in SEC history.
In just three seasons at Vanderbilt University, Earl became the SEC's all-time receptions leader before being drafted by the Chicago Bears and spending six years in the NFL.
But this episode isn't just about football.
It's about resilience, reinvention, and what happens when you refuse to let your circumstances define your future.
In this episode of Last to First, Jason Burns sits down with his longtime friend, Dr. Earl Bennett, to discuss his journey from humble beginnings in Birmingham, Alabama, to Vanderbilt University, the NFL, and ultimately back to Vanderbilt as Executive General Manager of Athletics.
Earl shares lessons on leadership, education, personal growth, life after professional sports, and helping shape the future of college athletics in the NIL era.
Whether you're a sports fan, Vanderbilt supporter, athlete, entrepreneur, or someone pursuing your own next chapter, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.
Topics Covered:
🏈 Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama
🏈 Becoming Vanderbilt's all-time receptions leader
🏈 NFL career with the Chicago Bears
🎓 Returning to complete his education
🎓 Earning a Master's Degree and PhD
🎓 Life after football
🏆 Leadership and the future of Vanderbilt Athletics
💡 Lessons on resilience, reinvention, and successSubscribe for more conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and individuals who have transformed challenges into opportunities.
#EarlBennett #VanderbiltFootball #ChicagoBears #NFL #CollegeFootball #Vanderbilt #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #LastToFirstPodcast
-
At FMF360 during the CLDA 2024 Conference, Jason Burns sits down with four of the industry's most respected leaders for an unfiltered discussion on growth, technology, acquisitions, driver recruitment, customer pricing, profitability, and the future of logistics.
What does it take to build, scale, and lead a successful final mile delivery company in today's market? Is final-mile the same as TWO years ago?
Featuring:
✅ Rosslyn Ellerbe – Express Errands & Logistics
✅ Matt Silverberg – Associated Couriers
✅ John Oren – Hotshot Final Mile & Two Year Technologies
✅ Sean Spector – DropoffTopics include:
• Scaling from startup to multi-million-dollar logistics company
• COVID lessons and business pivots
• Customer pricing strategies
• Driver recruitment and retention
• Acquisition growth vs organic growth
• Technology investments and delivery platforms
• Independent contractor challenges
• Insurance cost increases
• Drone delivery opportunities
• Final mile industry trends for 2025 and beyondWhether you're a courier owner, logistics executive, transportation entrepreneur, or final mile operator, this conversation delivers valuable insights from leaders managing thousands of drivers and hundreds of millions in delivery volume.
Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of final mile delivery.
#LastMile #FinalMile #Logistics #Transportation #SupplyChain #CourierBusiness #DeliveryBusiness #CLDA #FMF360 #Dropoff #AssociatedCouriers #HealthcareLogistics
-
Saknas det avsnitt?
-
What if the hardest part of building a logistics company was not the drivers or the routes, but getting a pharmacy to trust you with their patients' medications? Kunal Vyas figured that out, and then he built the infrastructure so nobody else has to.
Kunal started as a pharmacy technician counting pills at 26. By 29, he had a logistics problem he could not outsource his way out of. So he built the technology himself, sold the pharmacy for a strong exit, and launched DeliverStat and RxMile. Today, RxMile is integrated with platforms covering 85 to 90 percent of the 22,000 independent pharmacies in the US, and was acquired by Red Sail Technologies in May 2025.
In this episode, Kunal breaks down:
Why prescription delivery is the most compliance-heavy segment in logisticsHow RxMile integrates with pharmacy management systems so couriers never have to touch the softwareThe courier network model and how operators can plug in without reinventing the wheelHow DeliverStat does 5,000 deliveries a day in two counties in South FloridaThe mindset shift that changed everything after the acquisitionIf you are a courier operator looking for a sticky, high-value niche with real infrastructure behind it, this episode is for you.
Learn more at deliverstat.com or reach out directly: [email protected]
➤ SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/@UCnSy_CFHSm16SABqd8UPvlQ
➤ SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
➤ APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
Most final mile operators think their IC contracts protect them. They do not.
Transportation lawyer Doug Grawe breaks down what actually keeps your business safe and what quietly puts it at risk.TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Intro and Welcome
03:45 - Doug's Path Into Transportation Law
09:30 - No Single IC Definition
17:00 - How TPAs Actually Work
25:00 - Government Audits: What to Do
34:30 - Arbitration and the Supreme Court
44:00 - Lease-to-Purchase Programs
52:00 - Uniforms and Control Issues
58:30 - Two Things That Protect You Most
1:02:00 - Where to Find DougDoug Grawe is the founder and CEO of The Grawe Group, a legal and consulting firm focused on the transportation industry. With 15 years as in-house general counsel for a major trucking company, Doug now works with carriers, DSPs, and final mile operators to protect their independent contractor programs from misclassification claims, government audits, and legal exposure.
In this episode, Jason and Doug cover the full landscape of IC legal risk in final mile delivery, from the basics of classification tests to Supreme Court cases currently in progress.
Key takeaways:
There are up to five different definitions of "independent contractor" per state, varying by agency
TPAs are a powerful tool, but only if you actively use them to build proof
Government inquiries, even small ones, should go to a designated person immediately
Lease-to-purchase programs carry hidden legal risk if the economics do not hold up
The two things that reduce your legal risk more than anything: treat people well and pay them fairlyConnect with Doug at thegrawegroup.com. Listen to The Grawe Pod for more expert content on transportation law, finance, and operations.
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
Matt Silverberg walked into a failing $10M courier company with six months of runway, $100,000 in monthly losses, and zero logistics experience. He walked out years later as CCO of a $250M global healthcare logistics powerhouse. This episode is the full story.
In this conversation, Matt takes us from his days as a clinical psychology student covering radiopharmaceutical routes at night to building one of the most recognized brands in last-mile healthcare logistics. He breaks down the M&A strategy that took Associated Couriers from $30M to $100M in two years, what it really costs to over-promote loyal employees, and why he believes most business owners leave serious money on the table when they exit.
Episode highlights:
• The $2,500 payroll crisis: how Matt handled $350,000 in payroll due with almost nothing in the bank• Special Permit 8308: the rare certification only 3 companies in the US hold and why it matters for the radiopharmaceutical market
• The M&A playbook: how Matt structured rapid acquisitions across the US and Europe
• Exit planning: what buyers look for and how to position for a premium valuation years in advance
• Why loyal employees can become your biggest operational liability if you are not paying attention
If you are building a courier or logistics company and thinking about what comes next, this episode is required listening.
Connect with Matt and explore exit strategy support at the L2F Huddle: l2fhuddle.com
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
What does it take to grow a family-run logistics business from just a handful of drivers to nearly 2,000 across the U.S. and Canada?
In this episode of Last2First, Jason Burns sits down with Michael Frankel, President of Sir Lancelot Courier & Delivery and COO of PDX, for a conversation packed with real operator insights, lessons learned, and plenty of laughs.
Michael shares his journey from working in nursing home administration (yes, really 😅) to helping build one of the most respected delivery operations in the industry.
In this episode:
✅ How PDX scaled from 6 drivers to nearly 2,000
✅ The power of customer service in building long-term growth
✅ Dedicated driver models vs. on-demand delivery
✅ How technology and automation are changing logistics
✅ Why final mile operators should rethink insurance and risk management
✅ Captive insurance explained in plain English
✅ The future of robotics, AI, and delivery automation
✅ How family businesses can compete in a changing industryThis episode is equal parts strategy, storytelling, and straight-up operator talk.
If you're in logistics, final mile, courier, transportation, or supply chain—this one is for you.
Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders moving this industry from LAST to FIRST.
#Last2First #Logistics #FinalMile #SupplyChain #Transportation #entrepreneurship
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
65 years. Three generations. One leader's turn to modernize or get left behind.
In this episode of Last of First Podcast, Jason Burns sits down with David Hardy, President & CEO of Bonnie Speed Logistics, one of the longest-running courier companies in Ohio, founded in Cleveland in 1959.
David's path was anything but straight. Hampton University. Purdue chicken processing lines. New Jersey food manufacturing. Then home — to take over a legacy business that needed a new culture, new systems, and a bold new vision.
We get into:
Taking over a 65-year family business and rebuilding the culture from scratch
Outsourcing night dispatch AND accounting — what changed immediately
Building Cleveland's first DC Level 3 EV fast charging station as a new revenue stream
The 2016 accident that rewrote his entire approach to risk & compliance
Why routes beat on-demand every time for margin and predictability
The medical linen vertical nobody else in the last mile is talking about
A real conversation about legacy, leadership, and what it takes to drag a family business into the future.👉 Subscribe for real last-mile logistics strategy and courier business growth insights
👉 Comment "LEGACY" if you're building or running a family business
👉 Comment "ROUTES" if predictable margin is your focus right now📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/
last mile logistics, courier business, logistics entrepreneur, family business, delivery service business
how to grow a courier company, medical courier business, last mile delivery margins, outsourcing dispatch, logistics route vs on demand, how to run a family logistics business
entrepreneurship podcast, family business legacy, third generation business owner, founder stories, CEO mindset, Black owned business
EV charging stations logistics, medical linen delivery, Bonnie Speed Logistics, Cleveland courier company, outsourcing night dispatch, logistics compliance risk, nuclear verdicts trucking, last mile route business -
33 years. One partner who went bankrupt. Millions left on the table. And zero regrets.
In this episode of Last of First Podcast, Jason Burns sits down with Steve Howard — 2026 CLDA Hall of Fame inductee, former owner of Esquire Express in Miami, and current Director of eCommerce Solutions at WCA, the world's largest freight forwarder network with 13,500 members across 197 countries.
Steve built his courier business from scratch at 23 years old with nothing to lose — legal courier work, medical runs during Hurricane Andrew, air cartage, big & bulky e-commerce — and watched margins get gutted by three PLs, commoditization and Chinese-backed competitors willing to lose money just to grab market share.
He's seen it all. And he's not holding back.
We get into:
✅Why he walked away from a 33-year business and never looked back
✅How Hurricane Andrew turned a cargo van into his biggest account overnight
✅The three PL model that squeezed his margins from 24% down to 4%
✅What Chinese-backed delivery companies are doing to last mile pricing right now
✅Why volume without value will eventually destroy your business
✅How WCA connects last mile carriers directly to freight forwarders — and why the margin difference is massive
✅The partner who went bankrupt and left him holding millions in SBA loans
✅A masterclass in survival, reinvention and knowing exactly when to walk away.
👉 Subscribe for real last mile logistics strategy and courier business growth insights
👉 Comment "MARGINS" if the race to the bottom is hitting your business right now
👉 Comment "WCA" if you want to learn more about unlocking international freight opportunitiesCHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 - Introduction & CLDA Hall of Fame Moment
03:30 - His Dad Surprises Him at the Ceremony
07:00 - What Is WCA? 13,500 Members, 197 Countries
12:00 - World Parcel Alliance: Cutting Out the Brokers
18:30 - Starting Esquire Express at 23 in Miami
24:00 - Hurricane Andrew and the Diesel Run to South Miami Hospital
29:30 - First eCommerce Client: IKEA in 1999
34:00 - How 3PLs Crushed Final-Mile Margins
40:30 - Chinese Competitors Charging $2.20 Per Delivery
46:00 - The Business Partner Collapse That Cost Him Everything
54:00 - Why He Finally Sold Esquire Express After 33 Years
60:30 - Every Account Must Stand on Its Own
65:00 - His "Last to First" Moment
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/Primary
last mile logistics, courier business, logistics entrepreneur, delivery service business, freight forwarder networkHigh-Intent Search
how to sell a logistics business, last mile delivery margins, courier business exit strategy, freight forwarder last mile, WCA logistics network, how to grow a courier company, logistics gross margin benchmarksDiscovery / Viral
entrepreneurship podcast, business exit story, founder stories, CEO mindset, how I built this, logistics Hall of Fame, built from scratchEpisode-Specific
race to the bottom logistics, three PL margin squeeze, Chinese delivery companies US market, CLDA Hall of Fame, WCA World Cargo Alliance, Hurricane Andrew Miami, air cartage logistics, SBA loan business failure -
Zero experience. Zero contacts. Zero clue how to run a courier business.
He bought a $1M last mile logistics company anyway , and 14 years later walked away with a private equity exit.In this episode of Last of First Podcast, Jason Burns sits down with Walker Allen, founder of A3 Holdings and former owner of Specialty Freight & Courier — a logistics entrepreneur who built a medical courier network from scratch, survived a recession, fought an independent contractor misclassification lawsuit, and managed 1,500 drivers inside a PE-backed last-mile platform.
We get into:
-Why $10M is the danger zone for every courier business
-The gross margin benchmarks every logistics operator needs to know
-What private equity REALLY looks like inside a last mile company
-The misclassification lawsuit that changed everything
-Why you can NOT save your way to profitability in last mile delivery
-Where AI and consolidation are taking the courier industry👉 Subscribe for real last mile logistics strategy and courier business growth insights
👉 Comment "EXIT" if you're building toward a sale
👉 Comment "MARGINS" if profitability is your focus right now📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
What if you could build a profitable business from scratch—without experience, tech skills, or a huge investment?
In this episode, Rebecca Massicotte, founder of Red Fox Medical Courier, shares how she went from Wall Street burnout to building a multi-city healthcare logistics company—serving critical patient care operations across the U.S.
You’ll discover:
How she started with just a website and one clientThe truth about the medical courier industry (and why it’s booming)How she scaled to 25+ cities and 100+ driversThe mindset shift that took her from “delivery service” to patient care businessHidden opportunities in last-mile logistics most people overlook
This isn’t just a business story—it’s a masterclass in thinking bigger, moving faster, and building something that actually matters.
👉 Whether you're an entrepreneur, looking for a new income stream, or curious about the logistics industry… this episode will open your eyes.KEYWORDS
Primary
last mile logistics, medical courier business, courier company, delivery service business, logistics entrepreneur, healthcare logistics
High-Intent Search
how to start a medical courier business, how to scale a courier company, courier business tips, logistics company growth strategy, how to grow a delivery business, operations management small business
Discovery / Viral
entrepreneurship podcast, business success stories, founder stories, startup to scale, CEO mindset, real business talk, woman entrepreneur, Wall Street to entrepreneur
-
What does it really take to take over a family business and scale a logistics company?
In this episode of Last2First Podcast, we dive into last-mile logistics, delivery service businesses, and business growth with a second-generation owner who stepped into leadership and transformed operations.
We talk about:
•Taking over a family business the right way
•Scaling a logistics company in a competitive market
•Leadership transition and real challenges
•Why most delivery businesses struggle to grow
•How service becomes your biggest advantageThis is a real conversation about entrepreneurship, logistics, and building a business that lasts.
Subscribe for real founder stories and business growth insights
Comment "GROWTH" if you're building or scaling your business.📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
Amanda Factor is a third-generation logistics leader, sales expert, and now VP of Sales & Business Development at Hackbarth Delivery Systems. In this episode of the Last2First Podcast, she breaks down what it really takes to grow, price, and scale a last mile business in today’s market.
From growing up in the Chicago Messenger legacy to helping scale a $50M operation, Amanda shares real-world lessons on sales, operations, pricing strategy, and navigating industry disruption.
This episode dives deep into:
✅Building a logistics company from the ground up
✅Why most salespeople fail in last mile
✅The reality of razor-thin margins
✅Family business vs PE-backed companies
✅What it takes to scale across markets
✅And how to actually win in logistics sales
✅If you're in the final mile, delivery, or logistics operations this is a must-watch.⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to Amanda Factor02:15 – The Chicago Messenger legacy (family business origins)
05:30 – Growing up in logistics & leadership lessons
09:10 – Learning the business from the ground up
13:45 – What actually makes a great salesperson
17:30 – Pricing strategy: “Know your numbers”
22:10 – Scaling refrigerated & specialty logistics
26:40 – Selling the family business (Needed Now deal)
32:15 – Transition to Geodis & culture shifts
38:20 – Running a 400-driver operation
44:10 – Why a profitable business was shut down
49:30 – Moving to Florida & starting over
53:20 – Building a sales strategy from scratch
58:10 – How to scale across 45 markets
1:02:30 – Why diversification is critical in logistics
1:07:00 – Margin pressure & industry challenges
1:12:15 – Gig economy vs traditional delivery
1:17:40 – Women in logistics: then vs now
1:21:30 – Reputation, leadership & long-term success
1:25:10 – Amanda’s “Last2First” moment🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Join the Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/CXT
https://cxtsoftware.com/ -
In Part 2 of this Last2First Off-Season Mini Series, we go deeper with Chuck Moyer, President of Task4Pros, into a topic most operators overlook:
👉 Risk. Liability. And the true cost of labor.
From workers’ comp exposure to OSHA compliance to misclassification risks, this episode breaks down what’s really at stake when you don’t have the right labor model in place.
In this episode, we cover:
Why using 1099 labor in warehouses can create serious liability
How Task4Pros protects companies with a W2 workforce model
What happens when accidents occur—and who is actually responsible
How to reduce workers’ comp exposure and improve safety outcomes
The true cost of labor (beyond hourly rates)
Lessons learned from real operational challenges and turnaroundsThis is a must-watch for anyone operating in final mile, warehousing, or supply chain.
📅 Part 1https://youtu.be/TZhi63gPSao?si=28cOGVYGQJzOyPs8
📅 Part 2 (this episode) – NOW LIVE👉 Watch the full episode + join the Huddle:
www.l2fhuddle.comStart your 7-day free trial and connect with industry leaders like Chuck Moyer inside the community.
#Last2First #Task4Pros #ChuckMoyer #Logistics #SupplyChain #Warehousing #RiskManagement #WorkersComp #FinalMile #3PL
-
In this special Last2First Off-Season Mini Series, we sit down with Chuck Moyer, President of Task4Pros and CLDA Hall of Famer, to break down one of the biggest challenges in logistics today: labor.
This isn’t just about staffing.
It’s about building real operational capacity in your warehouse and supply chain.
In Episode 1, we cover:
Why labor shortages are getting worse in logistics
✅The difference between staffing, gig labor, and true workforce solutions
✅How Task4Pros helps companies improve performance, reduce risk, and scale faster
✅What most companies are getting wrong about labor strategyTask4Pros is redefining how companies think about labor by combining technology, workforce management, and operational expertise.
📅 Episode 1: March 17
📅 Episode 2: March 31👉 Learn more about Task4Pros: https://www.task4pros.com/
👉 Connect with Chuck Moyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crmoyer/🔥 You can also connect with Chuck inside the L2F Huddle
Start your 7-day free trial: https://www.l2fhuddle.com#Last2First #Task4Pros #ChuckMoyer #Logistics #SupplyChain #Warehousing #FinalMile #Staffing #LaborStrategy #3PL
-
In this episode of the Last2First Podcast, Jason sits down with Lance Dearborn, founder & CEO of Take 2 Logistics (Central Florida), for a masterclass on people, numbers, and scaling the final mile the right way.
Lance shares his origin story dropping out of high school, rebuilding his life with a plan, earning an accounting degree and Master’s in Taxation, then making the pivotal decision that changed everything: buying a courier company instead of becoming a CPA.From there, he breaks down how he grew a business from ~$1M to $25M, expanded to multiple states, built proprietary tech that unlocked scheduling scale, and why “the scoreboard” matters more than opinions. He also opens up about selling Fast Mile to Need It Now, the transition into a big-company structure with Geodis, and why he came out of retirement to launch Take Two Logistics driven by loyalty and the people who built the journey with him.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 Intro: “Numbers guy” + why Lance is respected
01:10 What is Take Two Logistics? (on-demand + point-to-point in Central Florida)
03:10 Coming out of retirement in 26 days
04:30 Doing it with his wife, Tina
06:10 Lance’s origin story: dropping out, then rebuilding with a plan
08:10 Accounting degree + Master’s in Taxation (CPA path)
09:25 The pivot: buying Fast Mile at 26 years old
11:10 The early model: rush/on-demand in the pre-email era
12:45 On-demand declines → the shift into “Final Mile” before it had a name
14:25 First warehouse + “I’ll never fill it” moment
16:05 Scaling to 250k sq ft in Orlando + multi-state growth
17:25 500+ drivers + the $25M run
18:40 Leadership: “Right people on the team, right positions”
20:15 How Lance identified the Florida distribution model
22:20 Aggregating lanes + making the numbers work
24:30 The key: anchor customer to support the warehouse
26:10 Contractor model vs W2 (and why it mattered)
28:10 The real struggle: scheduling, missed appointments, route blowups
30:00 The breakthrough: taking over the software + building a scheduling module
33:05 Why software is the most important tool in logistics
35:10 Numbers don’t have bias people do
36:40 The “scorecard vs scoreboard” story (and how it changed everything)
40:20 Exit strategy: valuing the business + improving EBITDA
43:10 “Urgent vs Important” + working from home on Fridays
45:40 Selling Fast Mile to Need It Now (and knowing the number)
48:10 Need It Now model: keep entrepreneurs running their markets
50:20 Cross-selling: making 1+1=3 without forced integration
52:00 Building Final Mile Complete (nationwide 3PL)
54:10 Geodis acquisition: what Geodis wanted + contract logistics explained
56:10 Big-company structure vs entrepreneurial speed
58:40 Why Lance launched Take Two: loyalty is a two-way street
1:01:10 Lessons from 40 years + “meetings to discuss meetings”
1:03:10 The book: “It IS Whether You Win or Lose… AND How You Play the Game”
1:07:10 Lance’s Last2First moments (3 pivotal decisions)
1:09:30 Closing: Take Two Logistics + final thoughts🎧 Listen & Subscribe
📺 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
Website: www.dropoff.com | Email: [email protected] | Phone: (512) 291-8883
GigSafe
Website: www.gigsafe.com | Phone: (888) 855-2131
Deliver Different
Website: www.deliverdifferent.com
SCI
Website: https://sciadmin.com/ -
In this special, unplanned studio session, Jason sits down with Dr. Dominic Morais, a longtime friend from Vanderbilt and a leader in talent development and organizational culture (San Antonio Spurs).
This episode goes beyond the “X’s and O’s” of business and gets into what most leaders avoid: the person behind the company trust, care, accountability, emotional intelligence, and the internal drivers that shape performance.
Dom breaks down practical frameworks leaders can actually use:
Trust = competence, care, characterWork = results, processes, relationshipsWhy leaders must coach instead of controlHow to build a culture people buy into (and perform in)Operating from love vs fear and why that changes everything⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Surprise studio session: “No notes, no cards, not even the branding”
02:00 – Meet Dr. Dom Morais: Tesla, Spurs, culture & people development
06:10 – The #1 leadership struggle: forgetting it’s always about people
09:30 – “Work is results, processes, and relationships”
12:20 – Trust framework: competence, care, character
16:40 – Why data alone doesn’t persuade (and what actually does)
20:30 – Vulnerability, fear, and leading from love vs fear
26:10 – Internal motivation vs external validation (and identity cliffs)
31:40 – Why leaders avoid self-reflection (and how trust opens it up)
36:20 – Emotional intelligence: self-awareness → self-management → social awareness
42:10 – Coaching vs telling: “That’s not a question, that’s a suggestion”
47:40 – Building leaders who can operate without you
52:20 – Burnout, culture measurement, and why it impacts the bottom line
56:30 – Accountability gets easier when people know you care
01:00:40 – Dom’s coaching clinic (Feb 26): building sustainable high performance
01:04:10 – Carl Jung quote: roots, darkness, and integration
01:09:20 – Dom’s “Last to First” moment + redefining success
01:13:30 – Final message: check in with yourself then lead your people
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Join the Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/
-
In this episode, Jason sits down with Jesse Perez, Founder & CEO of Classic Couriers, a Hollywood-based courier company founded in 1982. With 40+ years in the business, Jesse shares a rare behind-the-scenes look at studio logistics, Teamsters, film-era deliveries, and how Classic Couriers pioneered efficiency long before “last mile” became a buzzword.
From getting fired due to nepotism, to landing Paramount Pictures as the first client, Jesse breaks down how he shifted risk away from studios with a pay-per-delivery model, introduced early tech like two-way radios, and built a company that scaled to 100 union drivers and 4,000–5,000 deliveries per day at its peak.
He also shares unforgettable Hollywood moments including a personal encounter with Frank Sinatra and the quote that stayed with him every day: “The best revenge is massive success.”
Jesse explains how the industry changed forever during 2006–2008 (recession + writer strike + digital acceleration), how COVID reshaped studio work, and how he pivoted into tangible freight, entertainment logistics (sports/concerts), prescriptions, and warehousing.02:17 – Intro: 40+ years in the game + “mob/mafia” stories teased
03:22 – Jesse Perez + Classic Couriers origins (founded 1982)
06:27 – Why Jesse got fired: nepotism + “not clearly legal” business
08:47 – Starting the company (and why delays saved them)
11:27 – What couriers did for studios: film, scripts, dailies, sound
14:27 – The studio problem: guaranteed union hours + “dog house” downtime
16:37 – Jesse’s model: pay per delivery + shift risk to Classic Couriers
18:57 – Indemnifying studios: workers comp, liability, cargo insurance
21:47 – Why W2 only + no subcontracting rules
24:47 – What made them different: preppy uniform concept + brand image
26:57 – Early innovation: two-way radios (before phones)
29:27 – Dispatch software + electronic billing + reporting data
32:37 – “The data is more important than the delivery”
35:37 – Film-era logistics: raw film → labs → dailies → actor homes
40:27 – Celebrities + Sinatra story + “massive success” quote
44:27 – Peak scale: 100 Teamsters + 4,000–5,000 deliveries/day
47:47 – Digital shift + recession/writer strike 2006–2008
52:27 – Pivot realization: “tangible things” vs digitized paper
55:27 – Expansion into sports, concerts, conventions, entertainment logistics
01:00:27 – Minority-owned path + union pushback + legal fight
01:08:57 – Breaking monopoly + opening doors for Black & brown workers
01:14:27 – Warehousing lessons: “cart before the horse” + humility
01:19:17 – COVID impact: studios ghost town + Rx delivery surge
01:23:47 – Last-to-First moment + risk, fear, and pivoting
01:27:57 – Final advice: don’t be afraid to pivot
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Join the Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com
📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633
GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882
Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/
SCI
https://sciadmin.com/ -
Chairman & CEO Michael Kraus joins Jason Burns on Last2First to break down how Expak Logistics rebuilt from the ground up, including the bold choice to walk away from Amazon, shift to an asset-light managed transportation model, and scale nationwide through an agent network, strong SOPs, and obsessive operational discipline.
If you’re building in the final mile / middle mile / retail distribution, this episode is packed with real operator insight: how to price intelligently, choose the right carrier partners, run clean launches, reduce noise for customers, and win long-term through consistency.
01:44 — Intro + meeting Michael Kraus in California
03:14 — Michael’s origin story: Wall Street → M&A → logistics
06:24 — The “printing + parcels” synergy that didn’t work
08:34 — Why logistics was the long-term bet
09:49 — Discovering X Pack Logistics (2011–2012)
11:24 — The bold reset: selling off ~80–90% of revenue
13:24 — The Amazon growth lesson: “not just any growth”
15:04 — X Pack today: nationwide coverage + agent network model
16:54 — Why customers trust them without owning assets
18:54 — How X Pack manages 50+ active partners (and a database of 800)
20:49 — Front-end analytics + the “one-pager” carrier package
24:04 — SOPs that actually get read + how they launch new programs
26:54 — Pricing guidance: art + science + capacity reality
29:24 — What makes a great carrier partner
30:49 — “Why do we exist?” accountability vs blaming subcontractors
33:09 — Private equity perspective: building long-term (no debt)
35:54 — Leadership shift: investor → operator lessons
37:54 — Writing SOPs for real-world execution (not “Wall Street lawyers”)
40:04 — AI in logistics: where it helps + where it doesn’t
42:54 — Sales = relationships: “email isn’t closing a deal”
45:44 — Parenting + coaching: delegation, mistakes, growth
48:54 — Competitive edge + “chip on my shoulder” mindset
50:54 — Quiet peak season = operational excellence
53:54 — Future of last mile: service, stability, and “quieting the noise”
57:04 — California risk (AB5 / classification) + being thoughtful
58:54 — “Last2First moment”: walking away from Amazon
1:00:54 — Closing thoughts + what X Pack is focused on next
Guest: Michael Kraus/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-s-kraus-547a278/
https://expak.com/
👉 Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Join the Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/ -
In this episode of the Last2First Podcast, Jason sits down virtually with Steve Bonnici, founder of Urgent Couriers and co-founder of Deliver Different joining from **Auckland.
Steve breaks down the real origin story: how his family’s transportation roots shaped his path, how Urgent Couriers evolved from traditional messenger work into major medical + routed logistics, and why a decision in 1995 to build custom technology became the biggest “last to first” catalyst of his career.
You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes story of scaling during COVID, building gig-driver infrastructure that actually performs, and how Deliver Different was born out of solving real operator problems not tech theory.
If you’re a courier operator, dispatcher, or logistics founder trying to scale profitably, this is a must-watch.✅ Subscribe for more operator-to-operator conversations.
👍 Like / Comment: What’s the #1 operational bottleneck holding your company back right now?⏱️ Chapters / Timestamps
02:00 – Intro (virtual episode + Steve joins from Auckland)
03:15 – Urgent Couriers today: scale, revenue, market size (New Zealand)
05:10 – Family roots in transportation (grandfather → coaches → ski field transport)
08:05 – Starting Urgent Couriers in 1989: “They’re doing it badly — I can do it better”
10:40 – The courier industry shift: documents → fax/email → new verticals
12:35 – Early adoption: online booking in 1995 (before people were ready)
15:05 – Why Steve built his own system (cost, necessity, scalability)
18:10 – Independent contractors vs employees: productivity difference
21:00 – Home delivery evolution: retailers resisted, then the market changed
24:10 – Urgent Tonight / evening home delivery + the Uber Eats disruption
27:25 – The operational spark: food box delivery + resource constraints
30:10 – Building gig-driver tools: routing, training, onboarding, compliance
34:30 – The performance surprise: new drivers + great tech beat “experienced” drivers
37:10 – Scaling during COVID: 10K → 30K deliveries/week and visibility dashboards
40:20 – Route building at scale: capacity, vehicle types, sequence optimization
43:10 – Error elimination: scanning + pallet validation (reducing missorts)
46:15 – Losing HelloFresh + the margin reality (why “cheaper” didn’t work)
49:10 – Where the industry is going: specialized, high-integrity, high-value delivery
52:10 – “Solve 10 apps on a phone”: the no-app portal for partner/agent deliveries
55:10 – Steve’s “Last to First” moment: the 1995 tech decision
57:00 – Wrap-up + conferences (Air Cargo, CLDA, ECA)
🔗 Follow / Listen
📺 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Join the Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!
Dropoff Inc.
https://www.dropoff.com/
[email protected]
+1 888-376-7633GigSafe
https://www.gigsafe.com/
+1 407-496-9882Deliver Different
https://deliverdifferent.com/SCI
https://sciadmin.com/ -
Air freight compliance is one of the most misunderstood parts of the courier world, and it can cost you big if you get it wrong.
In Episode 5, I sit down with Ralph Perrothers, Founder & CEO of On-the-Go Cargo (NY/NJ), to break down the real-world shift from expedited air freight to local on-demand after 9/11, how AOG (aircraft on ground) freight works, and the TSA compliance stack every operator needs to understand: IAC (Indirect Air Carrier), STA (Security Threat Assessment), training requirements, and agent compliance.
We also get into a debate that matters more than people realize: courier vs carrier and what our industry should be calling itself.
02:01 — Intro: Ralph Perrothers + On-the-Go Cargo
03:26 — What OTG does: expedited air freight → local on-demand
05:41 — Why air freight changed before/after 9/11
08:11 — AOG (Aircraft on Ground): why urgency is REAL
11:31 — Media logistics: “then vs now” (cases → digital)
14:11 — Ralph’s origin story: starting at 17 + learning fast
18:21 — The early career path (Choice → AAA → PDQ → GM)
22:51 — Scaling a small courier: $500K → $3.5–$4M in ~2.5 years
26:11 — Why hiring “close relationships” can burn you (hard lesson)
29:11 — Building balance: complementary verticals (air + local + medical)
32:06 — Day-to-day challenges: attendance, software, ops waves
35:11 — XLA vs CLDA: what’s different (express vs cartage world)
39:11 — Courier vs Carrier: why the words matter
43:11 — TSA 101: IAC explained (what it is + why it exists)
47:11 — STA + training requirements (and why fines happen)
52:31 — Agent compliance + why the system needs modernization
56:11 — Varu: what it is + how it helps (digital compliance + transfers)
59:21 — The CLDA push: direct regulation, fewer silos, better verification
01:04:21 — Personal side: fatherhood + priorities
01:08:11 — Ralph’s “Last to First” moment(s)
01:11:41 — Final takeaways + wrap
Guest: Ralph Perrothers, Founder/CEO, On-the-Go Cargo https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralph-perrothers-96554bb/
Markets: New York / New Jersey (expanding to Florida in early 2026)
otgcargo.com👉 Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Last2FirstPodcast
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941
🏈 Join the Huddle: www.l2fhuddle.com - Visa fler
