1384. #TFCP - Boutique vs. Bulk: Why Service-First Brokerage is Winning in 2026!

Are you relying too much on technology to win freight customers? Are cold calls and in-person meetings still the real drivers of freight brokerage growth in 2026?

Today's guest, Travis Dodge of Wheelhouse Logistics, breaks down why personal outreach, consistent prospecting, and clear communication still outperform fancy tech stacks when it comes to freight sales, logistics business development, and long-term shipper relationships!

We talk about how smaller, local freight brokers can compete with large national 3PLs by leveraging local market knowledge, fast response times, and personalized service that shippers actually value, plus why execution and communication are what keep customers loyal and freight operations profitable.

We also get real about entrepreneurship in the freight industry, covering the grit, daily discipline, rejection management, and ownership mindset required to build a successful freight brokerage, along with actionable strategies like proactive carrier communication, invoice follow-ups, and consistent relationship building that drive trust, repeat business, and sustainable growth in today's competitive transportation and logistics market!

About Travis Dodge

Travis began his career as an independent freight agent in 2014. Starting from scratch, he built an extremely successful book of business, which included a team of sub-agents and account managers. At his previous brokerage, he was the company's top agency six years in a row.

After 10 years, Travis and his team launched Wheelhouse Logistics, a domestic freight brokerage which specializes in partial truckloads, temp-controlled LTL, and time-sensitive freight.

Travis lives in Oakland, California with his wife, two kids, and mutt named Ted.

Connect with Travis

• Website: https://wheelhouselogistics.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wheelhouse-logistics/ / https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisdodge/

📊📉 Don't miss out on the latest market trends by subscribing to your TOP Transportation Morning Show! 🌎

🎬🎯 #TheFreightCoach Morning Show is LIVE every weekday at 10:30 AM CST to break down transportation industry headlines! Mark your calendars!

To Find Out More About My Freight Services

Visit https://freightcoachlogistics.com/

🤝 Shoutout to my sponsors!👇

• SPI Logistics | https://spi3pl.com/
• Revenova | https://revenova.com/freightcoach/
• NMFTA | https://nmfta.org/
• DAT Freight & Analytics | https://www.dat.com/

Donate to support Stacy and her family: https://tinyurl.com/36xmxcmr

🚀🔥 To sign up for my Newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/iNoHco, get in touch with me through the social media channels below, and subscribe to my YouTube Channel!👇

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrL70IEnCfDkNaiYMar3jw

📷 https://www.instagram.com/thefreightcoach/

🕊️ https://twitter.com/thefr8coach

💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-jolly-a183aa6a/