From Pizza Shops to Leading a $100M Logistics Empire with Kristy Knichel, President and CEO of Knichel Logistics

In the freight and trucking industry, success often comes down to grit, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to growth. In this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast, host Brent Hutto sits down with Kristy Knichel, President and CEO of Knichel Logistics, to explore her remarkable journey from managing pizza shops at just 18 years old to leading a $100M logistics business. She shares the invaluable lessons she learned working alongside her father, the challenges of navigating family dynamics in business, and the bold decisions that defined her leadership style and drove her company’s success.

Building a Foundation in Pizza Shops

Kristy Knichel’s journey to leading Knichel Logistics started in a pizza shop. Her story begins far from logistics, in the busy world of pizza shops. At a young age, she learned the value of hard work, independence, and problem-solving. Managing long hours and facing different challenges, Kristy honed skills that would later become the backbone of her leadership journey in logistics.

“My early days managing pizza shops taught me the discipline and work ethic I needed to thrive in any industry.”

Kristy reflects on how her father’s encouragement became a turning point in her career. While she had already built a strong work ethic and problem-solving skills managing pizza shops, moving into logistics was a whole new challenge. She had to start from scratch, learning the ins and outs of an entirely different industry. With no prior experience, Kristy leaned on her resilience, adaptability, and determination to find her footing. These traits not only helped her succeed but also laid the foundation for an incredible chapter in her career, leading to her growth as the leader of a $100M business.

Navigating Family Business Dynamics

Working in a family business can be rewarding—but it’s not without its challenges. For Kristy, those challenges came in the form of her father’s “militant” leadership style. High expectations and a demanding environment pushed her to build resilience and find her voice as a leader.

“Leadership is about treating people with respect and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.”

While the challenges in her environment were significant at the time, she credits these experiences with teaching her lessons about perseverance and adaptability. They also shaped her leadership approach, which focuses on fostering trust, collaboration, and mutual respect to build a positive and productive workplace culture.

Becoming CEO and Driving Transformation

When Kristy stepped into the CEO role at Knichel Logistics, the company was at a crossroads. Tasked with navigating financial challenges and driving growth, she made bold decisions that transformed the business.

Under her leadership, Knichel Logistics grew from $2M to nearly $100M in revenue, expanded to 55 employees, and became a leader in intermodal marketing.

Kristy attributes this success to her commitment to building a positive workplace culture and empowering her team.

“Sometimes the hardest decisions you make in business are the ones that define your legacy. It’s not about avoiding challenges, but about facing them with courage and vision,” she shares.

Reflections on Leadership and Legacy

Throughout her career, Kristy has drawn strength from the lessons her father instilled in her, both the tough and the rewarding ones. These experiences have inspired her to lead with purpose, balancing personal values with professional ambitions.

“Success in logistics, or any industry, comes down to perseverance, adaptability, and never losing sight of your values,” Kristy says. Her dedication to these principles continues to drive Knichel Logistics forward while inspiring aspiring leaders in the logistics sector.

Kristy Knichel’s Vision for the Future

As a trailblazer in a male-dominated industry, Kristy’s leadership has redefined what it means to lead with integrity and innovation. From managing pizza shops to becoming a respected CEO, her story is a testament to the power of resilience, collaboration, and adaptability in overcoming challenges.

To hear more about Kristy’s journey, leadership insights, and strategies for building a thriving logistics business, listen to this episode of Freight Nation: A Trucking Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.