Transitioning to a new career or a new freight brokerage can be daunting, especially if you have years of stability under your belt with another company. But when you make the leap into freight entrepreneurship, there’s so much success to be found! And that’s exactly what happened when Caleb L. left his previous brokerage of nearly seven years and bet on himself, becoming an independent freight agent with Tallgrass Freight. Let’s take a look at where Caleb was before and how his book of business has flourished since joining Tallgrass.
Where He Was: Before Tallgrass
After college graduation, Caleb dove right into the world of freight sales by taking a job with a 3PL. For the majority of his time there, Caleb built and managed his own book of business as an account executive. But change was on the horizon. After seven years on the team, the company went through a merger that did not work in the favor of agents like Caleb. He knew it was time to look for something different.
“At the time, I only knew of a couple of different agent programs,” said Caleb. “I’d heard really good things about Tallgrass from people who were part of the team.” And Tallgrass’s Kansas City roots was an added bonus for Caleb, as it afforded him the opportunity to connect with leadership on-site at Tallgrass and learn the ins and outs of what it would look like to join the independent freight agent network.
Where He is Now: Growing with Tallgrass
Caleb celebrated one year with Tallgrass in September 2024, and his growth in such a short amount of time has been phenomenal — and his earnings speak for themselves! “By my fourth month at Tallgrass, with the commission program here, I essentially was equaling the level that I was at after six full years at the prior brokerage,” Caleb shared.
Caleb credits this growth not only to the competitive compensation here at Tallgrass, but also to the development program. Having support and ongoing communication as he went out on the field independently was crucial. The weekly strategy meetings, as well as having a go-to mentor at Tallgrass in the Director of Agent Development Jordan Brady, helped Caleb accelerate from day one. He didn’t look back, quickly found himself feeling right at home as a Tallgrass agent.
The flexibility and financial security Caleb has found as an independent freight agent at Tallgrass is unlike anything he has experienced in his freight career thus far. One year later, Caleb is making nearly three times what he earned at his previous brokerage. This has changed his life and his family’s life too. The increased income has added enough stability that his wife no longer needs to work as much as she had in the past.
Why Tallgrass Freight?
Caleb’s passion for Tallgrass is clear. “I have seen the boatload of resources that Tallgrass has for the general agent,” he said, naming benefits like the leads program and the CRM as just a few of the many resources Tallgrass offers to support freight agents. Caleb is also grateful for the help of the back office team, especially guidance when it comes to technology.
Beyond all the benefits, the culture is unlike anything Caleb has experienced before. He appreciates how Tallgrass listens to its agents and intentionally seeks ways to improve.
Bet on Yourself!
If you’re willing to take a chance and believe in yourself, Tallgrass is the destination brokerage. “For those who are willing to bet on themselves,” said Caleb, “Tallgrass has the resources and the relational support and the want-to to back someone who’s willing to put in the work.” If that sounds like you, talk to our recruiting team about how you can become an independent freight agent with us at Tallgrass!