Tina Gllareva
Tina Glareva is an owner-operator truck driver based in McKinney, Texas. Alongside her husband, she manages their trucking business, leasing trucks, securing loads, and running team-driving rotations. Tina often drives nights while her husband covers days, ensuring safe and timely delivery of flatbed and van freight. Since transitioning into trucking in 2021, she has applied her skills in organization, problem-solving, and communication to succeed in a demanding industry.
Prior to trucking, Tina built a career in the restaurant industry, beginning as a server in Las Vegas and advancing to general manager across multiple locations, including Maggiano’s and Sammy’s Wood-Fired Pizza. Her hospitality experience instilled a strong focus on teamwork, leadership, and providing exceptional service. Tina approaches every role with a hospitality mindset, emphasizing respect, clear communication, and leading by example.
Looking to the future, Tina plans to return to hospitality by opening her own restaurant, bringing the same dedication, humility, and customer focus that have guided her throughout her career. She also enjoys learning new skills, including makeup and microblading, and takes pride in contributing to her community through volunteer and fundraising efforts.
• Commercial Driver's License
• Makeup/microblading certification
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my strong work ethic. I’ve always believed in giving 100% to whatever I do, whether it’s managing a restaurant, driving long hauls, or running my own business. Hard work has allowed me to overcome challenges, learn new skills quickly, and continuously grow both personally and professionally. Staying committed and persistent has been the foundation of everything I’ve achieved so far.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is simply to be myself. In every role I’ve held—whether in hospitality or trucking—staying true to who I am has helped me build authentic relationships, earn respect, and approach challenges with confidence. Being genuine allows me to lead by example, connect with others meaningfully, and bring my own unique strengths to every situation.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is not to be discouraged by the fact that it’s male-dominated. Don’t give up—work hard, stay humble, lead by example, and let your work speak for itself. Success comes from persistence, integrity, and proving your value through your actions rather than letting others define your potential.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early on in this field was the language barrier. Moving into an industry where clear communication is key, I had to quickly adapt, learn industry-specific terminology, and become confident in expressing myself. Overcoming this challenge not only strengthened my resilience but also gave me an opportunity to develop stronger interpersonal skills and connect more effectively with colleagues, clients, and partners.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values I hold most important in both my work and personal life are honesty and integrity. I believe in being straightforward, transparent, and accountable in everything I do, whether it’s with clients, colleagues, or family. These principles guide my decisions, help me build trust, and ensure that I lead by example in every aspect of my life.
Locations
Truck Driver
Mckinney, TX 75071