52-Year-Old Woman Beats Cancer, and Builds a 6-Figure Trucking Business
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 01/21/22
Sanya Beard always pictured herself as being "Miss Corporate." Since she was in high school as a co-op student, she dreamed of working on Wall Street. After graduation, she continued working on Wall Street while studying for her undergrad degree. After putting in the time and effort, she graduated from the Thomas Edison State University degree program in Educational Psychology.
In 2019 after working several years in the Learning & Development space as a Training Manager, she was diagnosed with cancer. During that time, she took measures to treat her cancer; however, regretfully, in 2020, she and her mother were both diagnosed with cancer.
Working with a team of research doctors from Rutgers University hospital in New Jersey, she took on chemotherapy treatments that removed her type of cancer and aided her recovery to this day being cancer-free!
While dealing with her treatment, she and her twin sister took charge to care for their mom, who was dealing with advanced and progressive cancer, until her passing in July 2020.
Sanya's mother played a significant role in molding Sanya into the person she is today. Her death was the driving force that led her to rethink continuing employment; after her medical leave return, she purchased a 2014 Freightliner, left her six-figure job, and started Melrose Trucking and Transporation, LLC.
She knew nothing about the trucking industry nor what it took to run a trucking company. She sought resources to kick off with a solid foundation; she obtained her trucking authority and successfully launched Melrose Trucking and Transportation LLC, all during the COVID-19 pandemic. She sat in her truck many days and nights to familiarize herself with the industry and sought as much information as she could from family and friends. Within a short time, she learned the ins and outs of this male-dominated industry.
Her mother's name inspired the name behind the business (now BBB accredited and MBE, WBE as SBF certified). The intentional use of her mother's name (Melrose) was a way to keep her name alive for years to come. And the pink rose in the logo symbolizes her mother's passing with cancer.
As the Owner/Principal at Melrose Trucking and Transportation LLC, Sanya brings her corporate skills to ensure business operations are handled professionally and strategically, following all DOT compliance and guidelines. She hires licensed drivers to haul shipments around the 50-states with future sights on countries like Canada.
Managing a trucking business is a big responsibility. As a carrier, she routinely carries million-dollar commodities that she's entrusted with by big brands like Coca-Cola, Target, JB Hunt, Convoy, XPO, and Amazon (her dedicated contract partner), so each truck undergoes strict checks.
Sanya says anyone can kickstart a trucking business with good credit and at least $25,000. No two days or weeks are alike, making it thrilling to challenge herself to do better each week. Since starting, she has generated revenue in the mid $200,000. Truck expenses each month can be costly, so she is strict with truck maintenance each month. The most considerable expense might be fuel, and sometimes depending on load runs, it can cost more than the truck note itself. Using fuel discount programs and thinking logically about truck runs that make sense help keep expenses where they should be.
Sanya ensures that her plans are always laid out one week in advance for drivers, so as she quotes, " everybody can eat."
She currently owns three trucks and aims to add to the fleet by purchasing two additional trucks by the end of 2022. "I am looking to live comfortably and not be in debt," she expressed.
Jine'lle Sanders and Sanya have known each other for a long time; their mothers (both deceased now) were also close friends. Jine'lle says: "I remember when I was younger Sanya would braid & style my hair. Sanya has always been a constant in my life and my daughter Ja'Rae's (RaeRae) life. Sanya is a kind soul with the tenacity of a lioness. Sanya is one of the smartest sister-friends that I'm blessed to have in my life. She's turned lemons into an amazing lemonade and labeled it Melrose Trucking and Transporation."
"My big sister [Sanya] has inspired me to venture into the trucking business as well possibly relocating to her new hometown of Delaware. We may not speak every day, but Sanya is always there for serious talks, advice, and laughs. Sanya is an amazing "Boss Chick" that is destined for greatness.
Sanya is a fantastic teacher as well. She doesn't know how much she's taught me and others that have watched her good days, bad days, and ugly days turn into a continuous growing enterprise," Jine'lle added.
She beat cancer, built a 6-figure trucking business, and continuously aims to educate women about it so they, too, can come on board and run a business. Sanya's story teaches us that by having a winner mentality and putting in the effort, one can achieve great success regardless of any obstacle that comes before us.
Inside the Life of a Cancer Survivor/Businesswoman
“Always keep your 9 to 5 until you have everything covered for at least a year! ”
“Every stumbling block is a stepping stone. Never judge a book by its cover because everybody has a different story; black, white, short, skinny. We don’t understand why people are where they are. ”
“Take one step at a time. It’s a process. It doesn’t happen overnight. ”
“I’m not looking to become a millionaire. I’m looking to be comfortable.”
Connect with Sanya:
Instagram: @its_msbeard
LinkedIn: Sanya Beard
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.com/blog
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