When I started Express Errands & Courier back in 2012, I had no idea that 13 years later, this business would become what it is today: a multi-state logistics company with drivers, dispatchers, and team members who feel more like family than coworkers.
It all started with one car, one vision, and a mission to build something that would outlast me. There was no grand business plan at first, just a relentless drive to show up, serve with excellence, and figure it out one delivery at a time.
Now, all these years later, as we enter the season of gratitude, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned from building not just a business, but a team that embodies the heart and soul of service. Gratitude isn’t just a feeling for me, it’s the foundation that’s kept this company growing through every high and low.
The Power of People
I used to think success was about how hard I could work. I was the driver, the dispatcher, the accountant, and the customer service rep all in one. But over time, I realized something: the strength of your business isn’t measured by how much you can do, it’s about the people who help you do it.
My team is the engine that keeps Express Errands & Courier running. Every delivery completed on time, every client served, every challenge overcome, it’s all thanks to the dedication of the people behind the scenes. Drivers who show up before the sun rises. Dispatchers who stay calm when the phones don’t stop ringing. Admins who make sure the details never fall through the cracks.
They’re the ones who make the mission possible. And I’m deeply grateful for each one of them.
Leading With Heart
Leadership, I’ve learned, isn’t about giving orders; it’s about giving people a reason to believe in the vision.
When you build a business from the ground up, you wear every hat, and sometimes that means learning lessons the hard way. I used to think leadership meant being the loudest voice in the room. But over the years, I’ve realized that real leadership means being the calm in the storm, listening before speaking, and showing people that their ideas and opinions matter.
I’ve had late-night conversations with drivers who just needed to vent. I’ve worked alongside team members who were struggling personally but still showed up for work because they didn’t want to let anyone down. And those moments reminded me that leadership isn’t just about logistics… It’s about humanity.
You can train someone on the job, but you can’t teach integrity or heart. Those are the qualities that make a great team member, and I’ve been blessed to build a team full of both.
The Gift of Gratitude
Gratitude has a ripple effect in business. When you lead with appreciation, people give more of themselves not because they have to, but because they want to.
I make it a point to tell my team “thank you” often, but I also try to show gratitude through my actions, whether that’s recognizing someone’s hard work publicly, offering flexible opportunities, or simply checking in to see how they’re doing outside of work.
I’ve learned that gratitude builds loyalty, and loyalty builds legacy. When people know they’re valued, they show up differently. They take pride in their work, they protect the company’s reputation, and they care about the mission just as much as you do.
And when clients feel that energy, when they can tell your team genuinely loves what they do, it changes everything. Gratitude doesn’t just grow morale; it grows business.
Lessons From the Hard Days
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it the logistics industry isn’t for the faint of heart. We’ve had rough days, long nights, and stressful seasons. There were times I questioned if I could keep going.
But every challenge we’ve faced taught me something new.
It taught me how to pivot when things didn’t go as planned. It taught me to trust my team even when I wanted to do everything myself. And it taught me that the hard days are what shape you into the kind of leader who can handle success with humility.
The truth is, the more I’ve learned to let go and trust the process, the stronger this company has become.
Gratitude as a Strategy
I know most people think of gratitude as an emotion, something you feel during the holidays. But for me, it’s also a business strategy.
Gratitude shifts your perspective. It helps you focus on what’s working instead of what’s missing. It keeps you grounded when things get chaotic. And most importantly, it reminds you that every mile, every delivery, and every late-night hustle was worth it.
It’s easy to chase numbers, revenue goals, or milestones, but real success is measured by the people who helped you get there and the impact you’ve made along the way.
Looking Ahead
As I reflect on 13 years in this business, I can honestly say the journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every bit of it.
Express Errands & Courier started with one person and one car. Today, it’s a company that supports families, builds careers, and helps other entrepreneurs dream bigger.
And that’s what I’m most thankful for…the growth, the lessons, and the people who made it possible.
This Thanksgiving season, I hope you take a moment to look around your own circle, your team, your clients, your support system, and say “thank you.” Because the truth is, none of us do this alone.
Gratitude keeps the wheels turning — in business and in life.
– Roslyn Ellerbee
