Here at Tallgrass Freight Co., we know how important it is to ensure our agents have the freedom and support they need to thrive! But what does it look like day-to-day for our freight agents? And what does our shared sense of tenacity mean for our team members?
Drake Y., one of our independent freight agents, answers these questions and more. Let’s see how TGF has supported him in his growth from day one, to help him become the thriving agent he is today.
Drake’s Journey to Tallgrass
Kansas City-based freight agent Drake Yost graduated from the University of Kansas in the spring of 2020. After hearing about Tallgrass Freight through a friend, he was introduced to CEO Damon Anderson and began working for him in a sales role. His first days at Tallgrass were spent almost completely on the phones, generating new business. And his hustle paid off.
After learning the ins and outs of the freight world, Drake transitioned to a full-time TGF freight broker in June of 2021. “I love working here at Tallgrass because of the team atmosphere and collaboration,” Drake says. Today, Drake calls Tallgrass home.
“Being hands-on with the owner of the company everyday, and getting help directly from the members of the team, really allowed me to learn more about the freight industry than I think I would have by going through a more typical sales program,” he says.
From the beginning, Drake was working towards becoming an agent; about nine months later, that dream came to fruition. “Once they thought I was ready, I moved up, became an agent, and hit the ground running successfully, as most new agents do,” he says.
TGF Culture Leads To Success
As Drake gained exposure to all aspects of freight, the rest of the Tallgrass team also showed him the behind-the-scenes, realistic versions of what it takes to excel in this industry. “They allowed me to see different ways of doing things than if I’d been at a different company without as much diversity in books, amongst agents, and without our collaboration,” he says. “The overall breadth of knowledge that I was able to get from the Tallgrass team set me up for success.”
He cites Sean and Chloe’s emphasis on persistence and consistency as a key to his success. That mentorship, coupled with TGF’s back office support, laid the groundwork for him to become an independent freight agent with Tallgrass. To this day, Drake continues to turn to other agents to see what processes they have implemented or how they’re running their books of business in order to consistently assess and improve his practices. “I love the relationships I’ve made with people here,” Drake says. “I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.”
As crucial as culture is, it’s only important if it leads to results. So let’s talk numbers! Since Drake’s start with Tallgrass, he has seen a lifetime load increase of 127% — and a lifetime margin increase of 190%. With growth like this, it’s no wonder he’s seen such success.
Drake was proud to join Club 250 in 2022, and continues to be grateful for the financial success that this work has brought into his life — as well as the significant stress taken off his plate by the TGF back office. “Our back office is extremely reliable,” he said. “That’s a big complaint for others in the freight world, but not at Tallgrass. I can say wholeheartedly that our back office is extremely reliable, and that they help me focus because I know I don’t have to worry about any of that.”
Jump In With Both Feet
“You really can’t find a culture like this anywhere else,” Drake says. “Seeing both sides – in terms of working on the team and being an agent – I’ve gotten to see how both sides operate at Tallgrass. They’re both top-notch and excellent, and this is a good breeding ground for success.”
If you’re looking for an environment like this, reach out to our team today. We’d love to hear from you!