Welcome to our WBE Spotlight Series! Today, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Joyce Brenny, Founder and CEO of Brenny Transportation & Brenny Specialized, Inc. Join us as we delve into Joyce’s entrepreneurial journey and uncover the driving force behind her success in the transportation industry.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Having been in the trucking industry for approximately 16 years prior to starting Brenny Transportation, I was beyond disappointed at how women and professional truck drivers were disrespected and held back by the industry. I knew I either had to get out of trucking completely or do it my own way! Wala! Brenny Transportation opened its doors in 1996!
What is a business milestone or achievement that you are most proud of?
There are so many, I always say we are not real good at accepting the attention of winning an award, but when you are good, you win awards! We have won many awards over the last 28 years, but the award I am most proud of, because it truly speaks to the why of our company being founded, is the Minnesota Business Ethics Award. To this day, Brenny is the only trucking company to ever win this award. I am very proud that our culture of ethics was noticed! I am also very proud of my most recent appointment to the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, Women of Trucking Advisory Board, I am also the chair. To have a voice at a federal level for women in the trucking industry is very humbling. I am so proud to lead this board!
What challenges have you faced as a woman business owner, and how did you overcome them?
Ok, so that question made me giggle a bit, we are talking trucking, still a completely male dominated industry, can you even imaging the challenges I have faced? This is how I handle everything, I prove what I can do and I win! I am not a very vocal person, I observe, learn, and take charge quietly. My world is working and being around men, I also grew up with brothers, I understand how men think, thus I don’t compete with them in their way, I do it in my own way and it works!
What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Be ready to make more sacrifices than you ever thought possible. A leader must understand and accept that it is not about you. If you become a leader, you have been picked at a level higher than most understand or are willing to live with. Yes, balance is necessary, however we are only powerful to the degree we empower others. Acceptance is a word I live by, everyone is on their own journey, accept, listen and guide. The world needs more selfless leaders, I hope more are women!
Brenny Transportation, Inc.
Brenny Transportation was founded in 1996 by Joyce and Todd Brenny and has grown into a domestic & international Asset-based 3PL service provider located in St. Joseph, MN with 80 trucks, 150 trailers, and a dominant Logistics division to take care of any customer needs. Early into Benny’s conception, the goal was to start a company that valued team members’ and customers’ needs above all, cultivating a workplace where team members were making a difference and are empowered to fuel the Trucking industry’s demands.
Acceptance is a word I live by, everyone is on their own journey, accept, listen and guide. The world needs more selfless leaders, I hope more are women!