Her Story
About Nicolle
I've been in the logistics industry for 28 years, with over 20 years of experience in domestic transportation. I ran my own business for 5 years called Lady in Red Logistics, named after that song from the 80s that everyone knows. People loved calling me Lady in Red, and I became known around Miami with nicknames like 'that lady from Watkins,' 'that freight lady,' and 'that blonde freight lady.' As an independent agent, I brokered all kinds of shipments all over the country. Currently, I work for Maersk, the second largest global transportation company in the world, where I was chosen as their first Miami sales representative for their new trucking division. I've only been with them for 8 months, but I'm gaining valuable international experience that complements my extensive domestic background. My goal is to go back to owning my own business in the next 5 years, probably under the same Lady in Red Logistics name because it really went over well, and this time I'll diversify by working under multiple companies instead of putting all my eggs in one basket. I'll be expanding to international services along with the domestic expertise from my 20-plus years of experience.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nicolle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's a lot of the characteristics and traits that are important to me. I'm responsive and experienced. After all these years, I still care. A lot of people in this industry just don't, but I'm like, this is somebody's stuff. So I care, I listen, I'm professional, experienced, reliable, and responsive. I try to listen well, and I'm solution-oriented. Even if I don't have the solution at that moment, I will find it.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid of the men. To be quite honest with you, don't be afraid of the men that try to intimidate you, or act like they're more knowledgeable than you are, or try to demean you. That would be the biggest thing, just be confident. Go forward with your ideas, and speak up, and be confident in a mostly male-dominated industry. I can so calmly and easily put these men in their place when they try me. The way that I handle situations and respond, just moving on unbothered, is better than anything I could complain about. Best to just speak calmly and evenly and confidently to everyone that you're dealing with, whether colleagues or customers.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, loyalty, and professionalism are at the top of my list. Confidence and intelligence matter a lot to me. I value developing relationships, relatability, and likability. Reliability and dependability are also important to me. I'm a great listener, and I believe in being responsive and caring about what I do. Even after all these years, I still care.
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