rick isenbeck

Small fleet owner here. The struggle has been very real these last 2 years and none stronger than 2025. It reminded me of my youth on the family farm in the 80s. Dad got the new tractor he bought 2 years prior repossessed when the market shifted. This was before the government gave you a kick back if you lost money in farming mind you. The lesson learned for me was never give up. I searched my soul in the worst moments of last year. My wife and I arguing about money. Not paying ourselves. Working for nothing several months in a row. All of our savings completely gone by the fall of 25. I haven't been this cash strapped since I was a young man out of High School. We thought real hard about giving up, but Hell Bent Xpress isn't a catchy name. Its an absolute dedication to keep pushing on no matter how hard or difficult the situation becomes. This new environment we find ourselves in means serious change for the transportation industry, that has always operated on trust. We are becoming a very low trust society, therefore we must adapt procedures and tactics. Become more open and honest with sharing who we are and how we accomplish the mission. It can't be talk and flashy websites. It has be verifiable transparency. We are all fine putting a camera on the driver but nobody wants to put a camera on the person in the office who keeps the business compliant. I look forward to proving we have always tried to do it by the book. Have we messed things up in the past, sure. I had my business all jacked up that first year on my own. Then I convinced my wife to come aboard and she dove head first into the compliance pool. We aren't perfect but we will get better to further prove we can be trusted in today's trucking landscape. No place to hide in the shadows if we all shine a light on it. This is how the small trucking companies and brokerages survive, change how we do things. Less trust, more visibility for customers. With all that said, value added means it will cost. Real professional drivers cost money. Quality equipment to ensure safety also costs. You want to ensure your business thrives, then lets make sure we both can. I'm willing to provide it, if you're willing to pay for it. God bless you all that made it this far. 🙏