Entrepreneurship is a viable means of economic self-sufficiency, and many women are choosing an enterprise connected to transportation to be part of their career aspirations.
The role of transportation as a career option for women has grown significantly over the years.
In 2000, women made up 4.7 percent of the trucking payroll. Despite this gender-bending trend, the road has gradually accepted women as drivers. In fact, women have more opportunities than ever before to work in positions besides driving like sales, marketing, dispatch, recruiting, and management. They also have the option of owning their own truck or fleet.
Lorin Sutton is one of those founders who owns her own trucking business West End Trucking based in Gallatin, Tennesse. A young mother of 2 girls who currently has a fleet of 10 trucks, and has 20 more coming as they slowly roll off the line. Women On Topp sat down with Lorin to talk about how she became a Trucking company owner.
In your own words, what do you do?
My name is Lorin Sutton and I am the co-owner of West End Trucking. We are based out of Gallatin, Tennessee: twenty miles north of Nashville. We currently run 14 tri and quad-axle dump trucks ranging from Kentucky to the Middle and Southern Tennessee region. On a daily basis, I am in constant communication with my transportation manager to make sure operations are running smoothly, and our drivers are hitting the ground running. Our trucks typically run 24 hours a day: which means it takes a lot to keep the cogs moving.
Who are your clients and what are they looking for?
If you have been around Nashville within the past 5 years, you are well aware that it’s communities are booming. Currently, it is estimated that 82 people move into the area every single day. This means that aggregates
are needed in many faucets. Whether it’s asphalt for a new road to ease the congestion of the influx of people, gravel or topsoil for a new construction home- we have clients in all sectors.
How long did it take you to get where you are now?
In 2018 a single axle dump truck was purchased for our sister company, West End Construction. We had a difficult time finding subcontractors to haul dirt for us to our new construction homes and decided to invest in a truck of our own. After running the tires off of it, we decided it was time to jump full force into transportation. March of 2021 the initial purchases were made of two 2016 Kenworth tri-axle trucks. From this point forward- we were in it to win it: with an average of purchasing three brand new Mack or Volvo trucks a month.
How important is a collaboration with other individuals and organizations?
The power of being likable is the biggest marketing strength you can have in this industry. It’s who you know, and who likes you. There is no shortage of dump trucks- but to find a company with integrity and genuine concern for customer satisfaction isn’t always easy. We have teamed up with different organizations for contractual and short term work. Being able to have a positive rapport with these contractors makes our company flourish.
How are you changing the world?
Every morning when I wake up, I know that I have 16 employees that count on me in various ways ranging from having work for them that day, making sure the trucks are in full working order, and all gears are in motion.
This is a simple task. It’s mechanical. The important task set before me is loving the person behind the wheel. Seeing them for who they are, and the gift they bring to the company. I want each of these souls to shine to their fullest potential. I choose to pray for each of these men and women daily, and encourage them every chance I get. Loving on my staff makes them do their best. The love is then spread to the clients on the load runs. They are happy and feel important. In todays society everyone is searching to feel heard and loved. We are constantly battered with negativity- West End Trucking is my personal mission field and force field of God’s love and peace within a world that sometimes feels like a battlefield.
What challenges do you face in your work?
Being a female in the transportation industry is a challenge of its own. It’s described as a “man’s world” but I have set out to change that. It needs the poise, grace, and grit that only a woman can extend at certain times. It takes time to be able to build true blue relationships with men who have been groomed that the ladies need to step back and watch: when in reality I want to be in the middle of it and be their help, or even guide when needed.
To what do you attribute your success?
Aspiration. It’s easy to have a vague goal such as oh, I am going to be rich. No, make the goal specific. I am going to have 30 truck by June 2022. By having clarity on your goals it makes attaining them more possible. Having specific motivating factors makes these goals gives a silver lining when times get tough. Additionally, it gives me a blueprint. With my idea of success defined, I can make my goals more manageable.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Two words. Emotional Intelligence- and At the cornerstone of this is self-awareness. To be emotionally Intelligence is to be able to recognize, understand and manage your own emotions and to be in tune with others’ emotions and to act with compassion. Emotional intelligence is especially vital when you’re under stress, leading your team or generally having responsibility for others. To become a responsible person in society you need to self-manage and demonstrate your social skills. This means keeping your cool when unexpected setbacks occur, offering support when someone is in crisis, reading social cues, and using your best judgment when it comes to emotions. Being able to do this is your key to being a successful business owner. Know what your employees need. Meet them where THEY are, not where you want them to be. Compassion, always compassion.
If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Surround yourself with people more intelligent than you. Sounds like a hard pill to swallow, but being with mentors will only push you further in life. They can pass on advice, words of wisdom- and the dos and donts of entrepreneurship. People who are smarter than you make you up your game. Smart people make you smarter. They make you better. They spark interest and introduce you to new concepts, ideas, culture, people, and restaurants. They know where the good stuff is, like networking events, and career opportunities. And smart people, if they are truly smart, know the value of kindness and generosity and are likely to throw some of it your way, which you should do in return, because you are also smart and know that this sort of behavior makes the world a better place.
Tell us about your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement is not in the form of an award or recognition- but it’s that I am raising my daughters to see what hard work is and what it takes to achieve it. Ages 11, 6, and 2: they know to treat everyone with a high level of respect and gratitude. Everyday they see the trucks coming in from a long day of work- they know these men and women make sacrifices so we all can succeed.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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