What It Really Takes to Build a Co-Op in Trucking (And Why I’m Doing It Anyway)

By LaTanya Flynn, CEO of Lady Trucking & Logistics

Building a women-led cooperative in the freight industry isn’t for the faint of heart.

There’s no blueprint. No playbook. And definitely no invitation.

But I didn’t get into trucking to play it safe. I got in to build something that didn’t exist.

Lady Trucking & Logistics is doing something this industry has never seen before. We’re creating a business model where women don’t just drive freight — they own the infrastructure. They share the profits. They help lead operations.

It’s bold, it’s hard, and it’s necessary.

The Vision No One Asked For

When I started talking about a cooperative trucking company, the reactions were predictable. Some people were intrigued. Others were confused. A few thought it was impossible.

"Why not just stay a regular trucking company?"
"Women don’t want to be owners — they just want steady work."
"How would that even function?"

But I wasn’t waiting on industry approval. I had already seen enough. I’d watched too many women pour everything into trucking only to remain stuck at the bottom — low rates, limited support, no path to real ownership. I knew there had to be a smarter, more sustainable way.

So I started building it.

What It Actually Takes

Creating this model isn’t just about good intentions. It takes real structure, legal frameworks, and operational discipline.

First, we needed the right foundation — which meant building a governance structure that allowed women to participate as investors or owner-operators while still maintaining company standards and brand control.

Second, we had to prepare for onboarding. This isn't about putting anyone with a CDL in an equity seat. It’s about bringing in women who are ready to lead, learn, and grow. That’s why we’re developing a training and qualification track for those who want to join the co-op.

Third, it requires serious operational support. That’s why we run everything through Akili OS — our digital command center that powers dispatch, document management, driver communication, CRM, compliance, and client interaction. With Akili OS, we’re not just building a vision. We’re making it functional.

And finally, it takes patience. Because this isn’t a startup hustle play. It’s an empire model. We’re not chasing a quick win — we’re building generational opportunity, division by division, woman by woman.

The Industry Wasn’t Designed for This

And that’s exactly the point.

The trucking world isn’t built to support collective ownership, shared power, or women at the top. It rewards big fleets, inside relationships, and bottom-line efficiency. It doesn’t reward bold ideas like cooperatives — especially not in logistics.

But that doesn’t mean it won’t work. It just means it hasn’t been tried like this.

Why I’m Doing It Anyway

Because I know too many women who could be great owners if someone showed them how.

Because I’ve seen what happens when good drivers burn out in bad systems.

Because I believe the industry is ready for a new type of leadership — not just loud, but legacy-focused. Not just compliant, but capable. Not just woman-owned on paper, but woman-powered in practice.

This model is already working in other industries. Agriculture. Housing. Food distribution. There’s no reason it can’t work in trucking — especially when the structure is solid, the leadership is proven, and the mission is rooted in results.

If You’re Still Reading, You’re Probably Curious

You might be a woman in the industry who’s looking for something more.

You might be a potential investor watching to see if this thing is real.

You might be a prime contractor or GC trying to understand how this fits into your vendor strategy.

Wherever you stand, understand this — the co-op isn’t an experiment. It’s a solution. One that brings ownership, opportunity, and professionalism together in a way the industry hasn’t seen before.

We’re going to prove it can be done.

And then we’re going to scale it.

LaTanya Flynn
CEO, Lady Trucking & Logistics
Certified. Compliant. Contract-Ready. And building what’s next.