GlobalTranz Freight Agent Spotlight: Nikki Long

Nikki Long has quickly emerged as a leader in the GlobalTranz Freight Agent Program, winning an exclusive Diamond Club sales incentive trip in her first year and joining the Agent Advisory Board to help influence the future of the network. Alongside her business partner Ashlea Dews, she's built Avery F Logistics, a thriving freight agent business grounded in high-touch service and lasting customer relationships.

With deep industry knowledge and a collaborative mindset, Nikki is also committed to helping other freight agents grow — all while creating a business she can proudly call her own. Read our Q&A with Nikki to hear what she'd tell anyone on the fence about becoming a freight agent and how the work-balance at GlobalTranz helped her daughter's Christmas wish come true.

Tell us a little bit about your freight agency. How did you get started, and what were you doing before becoming a GlobalTranz freight agent?

Our freight agency is a partnership between Ashlea Dews and me. We both came from a competitor where I served as her operations director. When her previous agency partnership ended, it opened the door for me to start my own business.

When I launched the GlobalTranz freight agency, I was fortunate to have plenty of support, thanks to the strong relationships we'd built. After waiting out a non-compete, Ashlea joined me under the GlobalTranz Freight Agent Program, and we've been growing ever since.

For us, becoming GlobalTranz freight agents was the next logical step. It gave us the flexibility to run our own business with the backing of strong carrier partnerships, technology and freight agent training resources. It's been a great move.

There are other freight agent programs in the marketplace. Why did you choose the GlobalTranz Freight Agent Program?

Before joining GlobalTranz, I spent about a year with a smaller broker here in the Tampa Bay area. It quickly became clear they didn't have the resources to support the kind of growth I was aiming for as a freight agent. I was doing everything on my own, which made it nearly impossible to scale my business.

That's when I reconnected with Brian Coleman (GlobalTranz Director of Business Development). What sold me on the GlobalTranz Freight Agent Program was the operational support, which would allow me to continue delivering the same level of service. That level of support — paired with the tools, technology and freight agent training resources — made the decision an easy one.

It's impressive that you offer such a high level of service to a single client. Do you think that's part of your success as a freight agent?

Definitely. From my experience in the past, we were always taught to go out and sell the dollar, right? "We'll save you a dollar," or "we'll help you save on your bottom line." But Ashlea and I built our freight agent business on something different: full-fledged service based on a strong relationship and delivering real value for the customer. And this all starts with trust. If the customer doesn't believe I'll follow through on what I promise, then the relationship falls apart before it even begins.

In the end, we provide what you might call white-glove service. We take the time to understand everything — from their freight and products to how items are packaged, stacked and delivered. We essentially become an extension of their team.

That kind of deep involvement means when big changes happen — like NMFTA freight classification updates — we're proactive, not reactive. And the GlobalTranz Freight Agent Program certainly helps us accomplish this.

When you talk to potential customers, what sets GlobalTranz apart as a shipping and logistics provider?

It really comes down to the full-service shipping offering. With GlobalTranz, I can provide everything from international shipping, truckload (TL), less than truckload (LTL), warehousing and more. It's truly end-to-end — and that's a major selling point for customers who want a single, trusted partner. Another advantage is the customer-facing technology. The portal is easy for customers to navigate and that ease of use adds a lot of value.

You mentioned this earlier, but could you expand on the level of support you receive from the GlobalTranz freight agent program?

One of the biggest differences Ashlea and I have noticed since becoming GlobalTranz freight agents is how connected and supported we feel — especially as newer agents. You're never on an island here. From day one, there's always someone available to answer questions, check in and help guide you through challenges. We've even had the chance to speak with other agents considering the move to GlobalTranz, and we always tell them the same thing: the freight agent support is unmatched.

You're hiring your first salesperson — congrats! Does that mean you're growing your freight agency?

Yes, it's exciting and a little intimidating! Before I got into the freight industry, I worked in HR, so I'm familiar with the hiring process. But being the sole decision-maker now adds a whole new layer of responsibility.
Thankfully, the GlobalTranz corporate team has been incredibly supportive. They've provided resources to guide us through the process — from interview questions to what qualities make a strong candidate for a growing freight agent business.

Many of our freight agents mention the healthy work-life balance they've found here. What does that look like for you?

Like most new businesses, we were in full hustle mode in the beginning. But now that we've built a solid foundation and have the support systems in place, it's truly life-changing to be able to step away when needed.

In fact, here's a story I often share. A few years ago, around Christmas, my daughter wrote a letter to Santa wishing that I wouldn't have to bring my laptop on vacation. That broke my heart. But at the time, we were in a transition and growth period, and I simply couldn't disconnect.

Now, things are different. My daughter Avery is nine, and she's in competitive cheerleading. So, every weekend we are away, and she needs my full attention. And I've been able to provide that to her. My husband has also been incredibly supportive throughout this journey, and later this year, he'll be leaving his job to join our growing freight agent business full-time.

You made the exclusive Diamond Club for top sales agents — and in your first year, no less. What was that experience like?

It was incredibly rewarding. It felt like validation for all the hard work and long hours we put in. I've never been part of a program that recognizes its freight agents the way GlobalTranz does. The agent program is always running incentives like the Diamond Club National Sales Contest. It's an incentive to sell, but it's also about recognizing commitment, growth and performance. Getting that big check (a literal big check) at our annual sales conference was hilarious — but also a rewarding experience.

You're also on the Agent Advisory Board. What has that experience been like for you?

It's been amazing. What I really appreciate is how balanced the board is. It includes both the freight agent perspective and the corporate side, and there's a genuine respect for both. It's not just corporate pushing down directives. The GlobalTranz freight agent program truly values agent feedback.

What's the one thing you love most about being a GlobalTranz freight agent?

Hands down, it's the support and collaboration. I don't feel like agents are competitive with each other — it's community-driven. Agents share ideas and best practices. But if someone asked me whether they should become a freight agent, I'd tell them this: if you're dedicated and willing to push through those first years, it's absolutely worth it. The freedom you get on the other side is unlike anything else. You're not just working a job — you're building something.