Freight Agent Spotlight: Frank Muse, Course Logistics

After more than 15 years in logistics sales, Frank Muse decided it was time to take the next step in his career. In early 2025, he founded Course Logistics, launching a freight agency with GlobalTranz and building the business from the ground up in the Chicago shipping market. What started as a one-person operation is growing thoughtfully, guided by Muse's relationship-driven approach, hands-on commitment and strategic use of GlobalTranz's technology and agent support network.

In this spotlight, Muse shares how he built early momentum, why in-person sales still matter and how agent support helped him scale faster. You'll also learn what he would say to anyone on the fence about starting a GlobalTranz freight agency.

Can you tell us about your freight agency and how you got started with GlobalTranz?

I joined GlobalTranz in late February 2025. In the beginning, it was just me learning the systems, booking shipments and managing customer relationships as I focused on becoming a freight agent. I had tremendous help from GlobalTranz operations who supported me as I learned the ropes.

By June, once I had a better sense of how I wanted to scale, I hired a virtual assistant based in the Philippines. That freed me up to focus more on sales and build relationships while keeping operations running smoothly.

What's it like selling freight in the Chicago logistics market?

The Chicago shipping market — and the surrounding region, especially the suburbs and southern Wisconsin — is incredible for freight. There's always freight moving here, and there are countless businesses that need reliable help managing it.

In this industry, sales really comes down to numbers: the more people you talk to, the more opportunities you create. Get out on the street, knock on doors, introduce yourself, gather contacts and leads and hopefully it blossoms into something. That's something I learned early in my freight agent career and still believe in today.

How has your sales approach evolved over the years?

I've been in logistics sales for about sixteen years, and the industry has changed a lot. In the past, cold calls worked really well. Since COVID, though, people are less likely to pick up the phone or return an email.

These days, I've found that showing up in person makes all the difference. Whether it's introducing myself in the front office or speaking directly with the shipping team in the back, face-to-face conversations are far more effective. It's easy to say no over email, but in person, people are more open to talking.

Why are relationships so important in logistics sales?

This business is all about relationships. People buy from people they like and trust. When you meet someone in person, it's easier to make a genuine connection and connections lead to opportunities.

Over time, many customers have become close friends. Even when they aren't moving much freight, staying in touch keeps those relationships strong and often leads to new business down the road.

What made you choose GlobalTranz as your partner?

When I was transitioning out of a previous partnership, I spoke with several companies. I wasn't even considering the freight agent model until someone mentioned it in January.

From my very first call with GlobalTranz, everything just felt right. The technology stood out, the GlobalTranz name carried weight, and the conversations were warm and genuine. The people I spoke with during the interview process left a strong impression, and I knew it was going to be a good fit.

What stands out about the GlobalTranz technology?

The GlobalTranz TMS and analytics tools are outstanding. The ability to access and share data with shippers is incredibly valuable, especially for manufacturers with larger freight budgets.

Shippers can dive deep into their numbers for a presentation or use the data at a higher level for planning and budgeting. From what I've seen over the years, it's one of the best platforms in the industry.

How did the onboarding and agent support process help you early on?

When I started, my goal was simple: get customers on board and start booking freight. The agent support and development teams were huge for me early on.

At the beginning, I reached out constantly — calls, emails, even texts every day — because there was so much to learn. Each month, that communication tapered off as I became more confident, but knowing that support was always available made a big difference in the early days.

Have you experienced a sense of community among other GlobalTranz agents?

Absolutely. When I first started, I connected with several other agents on LinkedIn to ask questions and get advice. Everyone was open and willing to share insights about winning business and the GlobalTranz model. It wasn't competitive — it felt collaborative.

I haven't attended an agent conference yet, but I'm excited to connect in person, network with other agents and learn from the community.

What do you enjoy most about being a GlobalTranz freight agent?

I have the flexibility to make decisions that directly affect customers and their business. There's no micromanagement, and GlobalTranz understands that every freight agent career path looks different.

Some people want to maintain a small book of business, while others want to scale and hire. I'm in the second group. I want to keep building and appreciate knowing the agent support is there to do that sustainably.

How would you describe your work-life balance today?

The flexibility is one of the biggest benefits. Working remotely allows me to manage my time well, and hiring a virtual assistant has been a huge help. That support lets me spend more time prospecting and less time on back-end tasks.

I'm still hands-on, because that comes with being a business owner, but I'm not tied to my phone 24/7. I have time to enjoy life, spend time with my wife and kids and still grow the business. It's one of the reasons becoming a freight agent was the right move for me.

What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about becoming a GlobalTranz agent?

If you're a strong salesperson and willing to put in the effort, there's a real opportunity here. Starting an agency can feel intimidating because of the administrative side, but it's completely manageable, especially with the resources and support GlobalTranz provides. Based on what I've seen so far, the opportunity here is tremendous for anyone serious about building their business.

What's next for you and Course Logistics?

Growth. I don't really see this as a solo operation long term. I want to keep building, and right now I'm focused on continuing to grow revenue and capital, which is going well. Hiring a virtual assistant was the first step. I've also pitched the idea to my brother-in-law about potentially bringing him on as a sales rep early next year.

From there, it really depends on how things scale. Based on the success we see, I could see adding another virtual assistant and, eventually, an operations or office manager — possibly sometime around mid-2026 — to help oversee the day-to-day. The goal is steady, sustainable growth and building the right team as the business grows.