A story of perseverance

Driver, recruiter, advocate.

While all accurate, those words just don’t fully encapsulate the journey Tamara Brock has traveled since she saw a late night commercial – with a 1-800 number and everything – about starting a career as a commercial driver.

“I lost everything before I got into trucking,” Brock said. “I know how it is not to have anything. I know how hard it is to get into the industry. I have trained women drivers for seven years and wanted people to see what I see. You don’t have to stay where you are at. Don’t feel like there’s nothing else out there. It’s my way of showing appreciation for everything I have received.”

So, why trucking?

A lot of industries promote themselves through late night commercials. What made Brock say this was the answer to all her questions?

“Where I’m from – Biloxi, Miss. – the only thing around there are casinos,” Brock said. “If I were to get a job anywhere, I would have to start at the ground level. With trucking I don’t have to wait to get a promotion. I wanted to be able to earn – and now.”

Providing a better life for herself and her family is why Brock started, but being able to help others change their lives has only added to that motivation.

“When I did my YouTube channel, it was just to communicate with my family,” Brock said. “But when you help change somebody’s life who really appreciates it, and to see people I have inspired, is amazing.”

While her YouTube audience continues to grow, and in the midst of filming for the A&E reality television show “Shipping Wars,” Brock explained what keeps her going.

”I’ve always been the breadwinner in my family – my kids, nieces, nephews and even my mom, depend on me for income – that’s my motivation,” Brock said. “I realized this was my only hope. When you don’t even have money for food, you don’t have a choice to give up, this was all I had. There were times I didn’t even think I was going to get my CDL. I failed three times, but when I got my first paycheck it was like a lightbulb went off.”

And sure, there were plenty of naysayers along the way. Yet, that never mattered much to Brock.

“They told me I wasn’t going to be able to do it, but instead of getting angry – I fought in a different way,” Brock said. “I just did it and proved people wrong. I went from reefer to hot-shot flat beds – there’s not a lot of women doing flat bed. They said I’d never pay off my truck, and I did that. There’s a lot of things people say to limit your ability. You just have to stay focused and don’t stray away from the blueprint of whatever your goal may be.”

Brock’s blueprint has taken her all the way to licensed carrier/broker with her own authority, now recruiting for more than 50 companies.

“You have to have a plan, not only when you get in the industry, but what if something happens, what if you get sick,” Brock said. “When you get into this business, learn the business. The bigger companies teach you everything you need to know if you pay attention and take your time. All we have to do is duplicate. It’s so easy to give up, but when you go through something tough, and get through that day and being able to do it all over again, that’s where you get your satisfaction.”

It seems simple just to say don’t give up, but in Brock’s case that has made all the difference. LL