FREE BIRD - Jacinda Lady Truck'n
FREE BIRD
Legend Nominee: Jacinda Lady Truck’n
As a woman, I’m inevitably inspired by this Legend driver’s composure and viability as a leader amongst our generation. During our interview, her sense of dedication to educating truck drivers of the infinite possibilities within our industry as business owners, has greatly impacted both men and women of the profession; reminding me how imperative positive influences are incumbent upon daily to enrich, improve, and help develop one another.
She discusses her upbringing as her family’s third generation trucker, and the commitment to an industry that allowed her grandparents an opportunity to provide a way of life, later respectfully passing down their experiences and knowledge to her. With the guidance of her elders, Jacinda Duran; known to all as Jacinda Lady Truck’n she further explores her interests as an owner operator, blazing trails for others to follow.
I was fortunate enough to speak with Jacinda on a break from her busy schedule, as she walks us through the events transpired in 2017 that helped skyrocket her career. She shares her plans moving forward with her business and pointers that have helped shape her career thus far. She also expresses the need in giving back to the trucking community and what it means to her personally.
Jacinda is outgoing by nature; a leader in her own right. She views life as a realist, which beckons people to relate. You can connect with her through social media, where she posts videos and photos of her adventures on the road. It’s important to her that she engages with everyone on a personable level, another reason she is admired by many.
Her success as both a lady trucker and mother continue to empower women to seek their own purpose. Trucking is not just a job, it’s a feeling of passion shared by drivers whose determination forms a common ground that binds together a body of people that keep our nation prosperous. The elite group of individuals that choose to drive a truck for a living are her extended family, but her niche is to motivate, encourage, and support women drivers as they too pursue their calling.
Jacinda’s earliest memory that involved trucks includes a dump truck and her mother. She says, “I grew up in trucking. My mom’s parents owned a business in California moving freight over the road, and she went on to drive professionally too. End dump, belly dump, mom did it all! She is a very strong woman. That is where I get my work ethic and my drive to do well. My dad, Carlos drove dump trucks and cement mixers; plus, his dad was in logistics while serving in the Navy. So, it’s in my blood from both sides of the family all the way up to my grandparents.”
By age 13, Jacinda was riding in the truck with her mother. Two years later, she took her first ‘real’ road trip. Together, she rode alongside her mother for a week up the west coast. Jacinda recalls how exciting it was, seeing new places throughout California and Nevada. Although she admits that being confined in a truck for over an extended period took some adjustment. “That part was definitely challenging. I learned a lot on that trip. I’ll never forget it,” she said.
As a mother to two children; daughter, Mariah (19) and son, Shane (17), she says that they alone are her biggest accomplishments. Stating, as parents you must try to teach your kids to do better than yourself. That’s when you know that you did a good job, when they teach you stuff that you didn’t already know. She continues, “I know that my mom did her best with me, and I did my best with my kids. So, I know they will go on to do even better. Mariah is the first-generation college student in our family. She received a full scholarship to Northern Arizona University and wants to be a nurse. We call my son, Shane-the-brain because he is brilliant. He is currently a junior in high school; considering joining the military and furthering his education as a doctor. They’re both well on their way!”
Jacinda juggled a full-time job during the week, working days. At night and on the weekends, she drove limos and party buses. She said finding balance as a working parent hasn’t always been easy, but felt that she was destined to do more. Saying, “Now that both of my kids are finding their own way, I’m ready to do what I was born to do. I’m so proud that I raised good people and now it’s my time.”
In 2004, Jacinda landed a position as a courier driving company vehicles picking up and delivering packages. She already had her CDL due to her part-time jobs, so with some encouragement from other women drivers with the company, when the opportunity to receive the training to drive a big rig became available, she seized it. Initially, the scheduled work hours are what enticed her to change positions. But then as Jacinda emerged into the trucking aspect of her job, she really took to the driving side of it all. She says, “I felt I was good at it. Then I kept wanting to know and do more in trucking. All I did there was designated runs every day. From the airport to the station, over and over. I needed to grow. I see myself as a free bird. My family always said the same thing. Since childhood, I’ve done everything above and beyond. That’s why with the things I’m doing now, none of it surprises my family. I’ve always been that crazy exception to the rule.”
After 12 years driving for that company, Jacinda left with plans to learn more and expand her trucking business. Once on her own, a close cousin; Marc Springer took her under his wing, introduced her to several people in the industry, and encouraged her to persevere and achieve any goals she put her mind to. “Marc has really helped me out and guided me in the right direction since I started Jacinda Lady Truck’n in March. He is from my mom’s era and owns Snortn Boar Transport… knowing that he has taken the time to offer advice and support to assist in growing my business is beyond words. He’s a lot of the reason my business has soared. Seeing how far I’ve come in such short amount of time just fuels me to push harder for what I want. This whole year has been amazing! All the great people I’ve met along the way; the love and kindness that people have shown me; my entire following has been more than I could’ve dreamed of. Having Marc as a mentor is worth its weight in gold.”
Working in an industry prominently operated by men, having to prove herself as a professional has been Jacinda’s biggest obstacle to overcome. The adversity that women face as truck drivers is another subject she wishes to reiterate with other lady truckers. Simply performing the duties as expected, is how she says the obvious uncertainty will ever be buried.
Her goal is to shine a light on the trucking industry, and help everyone understand that it is possible to turn the “trucking world” into an accustomed life-style as an independent worker. As an owner operator, you are your own business owner:
“You get in your truck, that’s your office. You decide the life-style you want to live; the clothes you want to wear, how you want to decorate your office, and how to design your day to work for you. You’re not just stuck in a truck. That’s the misconception that so many people think when they think of truck drivers. You decide when you want to stop. You get a break or a lunch, you can stop and prepare your food, even cook it if you want. You can exercise. You can check your emails. You can make trucking an independent job. It’s a beautiful job that can be done in your favor. I want women to recognize the independence they can have with this job. You’re a business owner. It’s yours, own it.”
The advantage of trucking is that it’s an endless industry and ever-growing; knowledge is unlimited. Jacinda’s long-term goals is to have the first female established trucking company, and give back to her community. Her plan for Jacinda Lady Truck’n is to offer a truck driving school that provides the training for women to help get them on the road without debt. Stating that people attend large trucking schools and take with them that price tag, but also then they’re leased to a trucking company with the obligation to their truck. Jacinda hopes to fund grants to her drivers for when they complete training and are ready to work, they immediately begin earning their own profit. A fresh beginning to a new career without the worry of debt.
With so many ideas in mind to aid current and future professionals in trucking, she says it helps to keep her goals prioritized. When I asked Jacinda how she recharges, her answer fit perfect. “Resting is hard for me, I’m a busy-body. I like to be doing something all the time. When I’m resting, I feel guilty like I should be doing something. Even when I get these long-term assignments for days or weeks I look at them like an adventure! I have my mind set for making moments for things that I’m doing. I try to make every minute of my life count.”
Without trucking and truck drivers, people wouldn’t have everything needed in their daily lives. What makes Jacinda proud to be a part of the trucking industry is the service that she provides to our people. Things that are available to us: products, furniture, food, etc.; most everything is or will be transferred by a truck driver. By staying in touch with her fellow truckers, she shares videos every day expressing her passion for what she does. She says, “When I get to speaking about trucking, my energy vibrates to them. The best feeling is knowing that people are starting to recognize who I am and what I’m doing when I go places. That means I’m making an impact and people are watching. I feel that everything I do is for my personal growth as a truck driver, but it’s also to help other people. That’s why I share so much of what I do and who I am with everyone.”
Jacinda states that what makes a true truck driver is their will and sacrifice to service others. By providing a service that makes the world go ‘round, because someone is waiting somewhere for each truck’s shipment; giving it significance. She adds, it takes a strong person to be a truck driver, out there on the road alone. But in a positive way, it allows personal growth. You learn to be good with being by yourself. For Jacinda, she uses that time to listen to motivational videos.
Aside from being ambitious and driven, she says that remaining humble and authentic is extremely important to her. Being true to yourself and displaying integrity, even when nobody is watching says a lot about a person. And pride. She says, “I take pride in everything I do. The caliber of my work, my overall character, my children, everything. It was the way I was raised.” The three qualities she believes people look for to utilize one’s services are: reliability, availability, and punctuality. In conjunction with those elements her career continues to advance.
One person in particular that Jacinda wishes to shower with gratitude is her mother, Melanni. Because she was shown strength, unconditional love, and support Jacinda had the confidence to leap into the unknown and dream further than she ever knew she could.
Thank you, mom for being you. By just watching you, I learned.