This week we are joined by Steve Vest and Woflgang Wendland. The conversation will be about who is controlling the freight market - carriers or brokers? Steve is the owner of Nationwide Equipment Transportation. Wolfgang is a former owner/operator. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

We are going to talk about how to survive as an owner/operator in the current and future markets. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

I got an email from Audrey Walleser, a PhD candidate in American Law and Policy who has 25 years of professional experience in constitutional law, political structure, statutory authority, and regulatory integrity. She had quite a bit to say about the Constitutionality of the AFFTRA and its goals to set minimum rates and driver pay in the Trucking industry. She is going to join me to walk through the civic process for movements like this and explain how to get things done through the government. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

This week we are joined by Annique Lesage, a broker from Small World Ventures, and Francisco Landeros, owner of Dogstar Logistics, LLC. This is going to be a conversation between three people who are successful in their operations. The desired outcome is for carriers and drivers to learn about the market and how to operate their businesses at the highest level. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

Tonight we will have an update on the Blue Ribbon Platform Division. Phridays with Phil are always informative and entertaining. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

Lots of things to talk about this week. Are the brokers taking too much? Should the government set minimum rates for carriers and pay for drivers? We will talk it over. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

It's time for the monthly financial report. We will break down the latest numbers and give you an update on the fleet. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

It's been five years since we covered this topic in depth. When I made the first video, I did not have the experience and understand that I do now. We are going to go deep and provide an in depth breakdown of where the money comes from and how it is divided between the tractor, the trailer, the agents and Landstar. Don't miss this one. We are hopefully going to put this to bed once and for all. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

This week we are joined by Jeremy McClure aka Red Beard on TikTok. He specializes in commercial insurance and we're going to answer all your questions (and mine) about Trucking Insurance. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

I've had a lot of discourse on social media this week talking about taxes and business structure. It's been frustrating because there a lot of people that believe things that are simply and demonstrably untrue. We are going to talk about the BASICS of setting up a business, especially a Trucking business, and we are going to get the calculator out (Our friend the BSE9000) and let it speak for itself. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

Many are led to path of self-employment because they seek an opportunity to escape the limitations that come with being employed by someone. We must recognize that an employer holds all the risk that an employee does not. When you start a business, you take on that risk and you must recognize it and respect it. This episode is going to be about us redefining our mission to help save owner/operators from failure. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

On June 16, 2025 we received the devastating news that our good friend Carl Bonecutter passed away after long battle with a lung disease. We paid our respects at his funeral, but we would like to take this opportunity for all of the Blue Ribbon folks whose lives (and trucks) were touched by Carl to come together and share some laughs (and certainly some tears) and pay honor to this amazing man who was taken from us all too soon. Carl LOVED working on trucks, and it will forever be our testimony that there was no one better at it. Join us as we honor his memory and share the stories of why we loved him so much. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

It's the battle you've all been waiting for. Chris, Phil and Blake are going to have it out over the idea that old trucks (1999-2007) are better than old trucks. Who will win? (It's Chris, by the way) All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

In this episode, we're going talk about what it takes to build and maintain a profitable fleet and tips on how you can make a better impression on potential customers and employers. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

There is a lot of speculation about what is going to happen to the market with the threat of tariffs. Blake and Chris are going to discuss what they think is going to happen and how to prepare yourself for it. All of our Links: https://beacons.ai/blueribbonlogistics Pittsburgh Power: https://pittsburghpower.com Podcast Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/podcast Blue Ribbon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueribbonlogistics Blue Ribbon Website: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com Blue Ribbon Blog: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/blog DRIVE FOR US: https://www.blueribbonlogistics.com/drive-for-us iTunes Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-ribbon-podcast/id1031752967

Setting yourself apart in the trucking market requires a combination of exceptional service and clear communication. Building a reputation for reliability and excellent customer service is crucial; ensure timely deliveries and maintain open lines of communication with customers, brokers and agents. By consistently delivering value and prioritizing customer satisfaction, your trucking business can carve out a distinctive niche in a competitive market.

2024 was a rough year for everyone and every industry. Too many trucks, not enough loads, low rates, parts shortages and out of control inflation. In this episode we are going to break down the Top 5 trucks in the Blue Ribbon fleet and show you exactly how much each one made. We will also reveal who the #1 driver was for 2024. His numbers are pretty astounding. We may even convince him to come on the show and talk about his experience. Join us as we deep dive into the numbers.

On tonight's podcast, we will share significant details about the future of Blue Ribbon and the podcast.