Lashanta and Lateasha Witherspoon are the owners of LLG Transportation Consultants, a Dallas-based trucking consulting business and a one-stop shop for all your trucking and transportation needs.
We caught up with the sisters to find out more about them and their business.
What inspired you to start your consulting business?
Our father is one of the primary reasons we started our transportation consulting business. He has been in the trucking industry for over 30 years and has been an owner-operator for over 20 years. Traveling on the road with him every summer and experiencing the ins and outs of trucking inspired us to start our own trucking business.
Our dad also inspired us to help other individuals such as our family and friends in the trucking industry. We started helping with dispatching and then transitioned into organizing documents, retrieving funds from unpaid invoices from factoring companies, and compliance items.
From there, we began reaching out to other trucking companies and asking what assistance we could offer that allows them to focus on driving.
We knew we didn’t want to own a truck initially due to the financial obligation and wanted as low overhead as possible, so we started our transportation consultant business.
What services does LLG Transportation provide?
LLG Transportation Consultants helps motor carriers start their trucking companies. We also offer training and courses on LLG University, our education platform.
We provide several step-by-step, instructional curricula to help individuals who want to learn how to start their own back-office support and compliance consulting business like LLG, learn how freight dispatching to start their own company, or simply looking to make additional income.
The services we offer can be purchased individually or as a package. We help people obtain their Motor Carrier number, USDOT Number, BOC-3, UCR registration, IFTA Registration/Quarterly Taxes, FMCSA Clearinghouse, Drug & Alcohol Consortium Enrollment, etc.
How would you describe the current state of the trucking industry?
The trucking industry is at a decline due to the rise in diesel prices and low rates per mile. Another issue is the shortage of drivers and growth in the implementation of self-driving trucks.
These changes may cause a slight shift in the way the industry operates; however, we don’t foresee self-driving trucks being effective for a few more years and we don’t think truck drivers will be removed.
Even though the industry is slow, people are still starting trucking companies daily with the expectation that the economy will get better and drivers seeing an increase in rates. The gas prices are starting to decrease which is a good sign for many motor carriers and companies.
Can you describe the type of growth you’ve achieved since your business launched? What do you attribute that growth to?
We have had to adapt to unexpected growth right from the start. During the first week of launching, we received several inquiries and calls from motor carriers looking to start their trucking company.
In response to an overwhelming amount of interest, we modified our business model in order to keep up with the demand.
God has truly favored us. It has been almost 2 years as business owners, and we have had the pleasure of being featured and interviewed on several major platforms including Shoppe Black!
What we attribute our rapid growth to is being authentic, informative, and knowledgeable. We initially started our trucking business in January 2019 but didn’t officially launch until November 2020.
We wanted to make sure before we launched that we knew the industry well enough to be able to change the trajectory of what was missing and ultimately needed to make a difference in the trucking industry.
What are your individual roles in the business?
Lateasha is our marketing/training Director. She oversees marketing/advertisement, creates all courses and material, sends out campaigns on promotions, onboarding trainers, processes all package and compliance services, and the mentorship coaching for our company.
Lashanta is our financial/accountant consultant. Her 13+ years working as an accountant for a nonprofit organization, a loan officer at a well-known credit union, and a supervisor for a major corporation have helped her master the role of being a bookkeeper, budget analyst, business credit coach, and financial planner.
We are something like your Venus and Serena Williams of Trucking. Being in two separate industries has helped us to understand our individual roles and master them without feeling overshadowed by the other.
How do you balance being business partners and siblings?
It was difficult at the beginning. However, with continuous self-development, therapy, and leadership coaching, we have grown to understand and respect each other’s boundaries. We have also learned the importance of effective communication and decision-making.
Where do you see the business in 5 years?
In 5 years, we see LLG Transportation Consultants as a major corporation with locations in several states that offer ongoing back office support and compliance services and training but also owning a successful CDL trucking school and offering CDL training.
In addition to that, possibly having a parking lot where drivers will be able to park their trucks and feel safe and secure.
Also, one day we would like to have our own trucking show with other amazing, boss women in the trucking industry traveling the world educating on trucking in general and helping other companies with compliance issues to avoid audits and fees.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs in the trucking industry?
Before starting your trucking company, make sure you are knowledgeable about the entire process and understand the financial responsibilities of starting a trucking business. Yes, anyone can YouTube and Google this information, but some things come from experience.
Invest in an expert(s) such LLG Transportation Consultants to ensure you are doing the process right the first time. Trust us, it will save you a lot of money and headaches. My dad always tells us, “A bought lesson is the best lesson”.
Lastly, we want readers to know that we are having our 2022 Compliance Conference on September 3rd in Dallas, Texas at the Hilton DFW Lakes Conference Center in Grapevine, TX.
Tickets are on sale now for in-person and virtual options on our website. Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook @llgtransportationconsultants for tips.
And, feel free to give us a call at 1-888-799-3055 ext.1 for any help starting your trucking company or general inquiries.
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