Surviving and Scaling in Trucking with Jeremy Wardle | A Trucking Podcast

What if the way you scale is the reason your trucking business fails?
In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, Jeremy Wardle, Director of Sales at TAFS, Inc., delivers critical insight on the financial decisions that make or break new carriers. With 17 years in freight factoring and logistics support, Jeremy explains how to survive downturns, manage cash flow, and scale with intention, not desperation.

From vetting brokers to managing fuel costs and navigating credit, Jeremy shares the business acumen most owner-operators learn the hard way. He emphasizes the importance of relationships, trust, and mentorship, drawing from personal stories and client success paths.

“You have to scale responsibly. Don’t try to outgrow your challenges.”

🎧 Episode Timestamps
📍 00:00:00 – Introducing Jeremy Wardle from TAFS
📍 00:01:34 – From history teacher dreams to trucking finance
📍 00:02:45 – First impressions: “I’ll be out of here in 6 months…”
📍 00:03:51 – Learning the depth and complexity of trucking
📍 00:05:04 – What truckers struggled with in 2009 vs. now
📍 00:07:14 – Jeremy’s market forecast for the next 6 months
📍 00:08:58 – Advice for new owner-operators entering the industry
📍 00:10:41 – Why truth-telling is key to long-term success
📍 00:11:01 – The power of networking and listening
📍 00:13:03 – Why mentorship goes beyond business
📍 00:14:31 – Mentors who shaped Jeremy’s journey
📍 00:16:26 – What to prepare before becoming an owner-operator
📍 00:18:19 – Truck driver vs. trucking business owner: key differences
📍 00:20:53 – How partnerships like fuel cards reduce cost thresholds
📍 00:22:26 – Growing into a fleet, cash, risk, and smart hiring
📍 00:25:25 – Financing pitfalls and why mental toughness matters
📍 00:26:55 – Don’t let one client dictate your business success
📍 00:27:14 – Why you must separate rate negotiation from payment terms
📍 00:28:20 – Why banks often fail new trucking companies
📍 00:29:50 – The importance of transparency in factoring agreements
📍 00:31:30 – What makes factoring better suited for small fleets
📍 00:33:09 – How to vet brokers based on credit behavior
📍 00:35:02 – Trucking is still a handshake business, trust matters
📍 00:38:00 – How to contact Jeremy and learn more about TAFS

🎙 About Our Guest
Jeremy Wardle is the Director of Sales at TAFS, Inc. (https://www.tafs.com), a leading freight factoring company committed to helping small carriers optimize cash flow and gain access to critical support services. Based in the Kansas City Metro Area, Jeremy brings 17 years of industry experience and a mentorship-driven approach to helping truckers survive market cycles and scale the right way.

📞 Contact TAFS: [phone]
🌐 Website: https://www.tafs.com

🚛 Follow Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast
🌐 Website: https://milesandmentorspodcast.com
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/milesandmentors
🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/miles-and-mentors-podcast
📢 Like and subscribe for more real-world trucking mentorship

Want to be a guest or sponsor the show?
Miles and Mentors isn’t just a podcast — it’s a movement built on real stories, tactical insights, and mentorship that fuels the next generation of trucking leaders. If you’re a founder, fleet owner, industry expert, or brand looking to connect with a serious audience of operators and decision-makers, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Reach out: milesandmentor