Raymond Ferguson sat on a sleeper bed one night and made himself a promise. “One day I’m going to own my own truck and have my name on the side of it.”
Today, he’s the president of Ferguson Family Enterprises, LLC, a growing fleet based out of Chicago, Illinois. What started with one day cab has become a three-truck operation built on consistency, discipline, and a deep love for the road. We sat down with Raymond to hear how he turned a dream into a family legacy with the help of Amazon Relay.
Tell us a little bit about your name, Ferguson Family Enterprises.
Growing up, my dad always had plenty of business ideas and instilled the idea of our name as a business. Family is what gets me up in the morning. So, when I got the opportunity, I wanted to carry on that legacy.
The “enterprises” was simply because I didn’t want to limit our name to trucking or logistics. I always knew I was going to expand. To me, that word means to start something that would be difficult or take risk.
When did you know trucking was for you?
Once I became a mover. I sat in the passenger seat with a guy, unloading the truck for cross-country moves. And I fell in love with being over the road, meeting different people that had all types of careers.
When I got back, I said, “I’m going to get my own CDL and become a truck driver.” I took the test and passed first try. I did two years over the road and then I did one and a half years driving local. But I wanted more than what working for another company could offer. Once I decided to go out on my own, I went headfirst.
Walk us through starting your trucking company.
I was a top earner at my friend’s company that I was leased on to. We’d always have conversations about business, and he really planted a seed in me, telling me how successful one person could be if they hauled Amazon Relay’s contracts.
So, I took heed to his advice and got my own day cab. I still have it to this day, driven it since 2021. I remember I was test driving it on I-80 and felt like I was achieving a dream. It was a very exciting and proud moment for me.
What does Amazon Relay mean to you?
There hasn’t been a day that I got into my truck and thought, “Oh boy, I hate this job.” Every single day is different and that’s something I love. I like challenges because I’m a problem solver. Relay keeps me on my toes and that’s good. That’s where I want to be. Discipline is one of the key drivers of success.
Through the opportunities Relay provides, I’m able to give my family the life I wanted to see them have. I’m able to be home every day. My youngest daughter greets me at the door instantly, and I go straight into dad mode—no rest and kids all over me. It’s the best. It’s a beautiful feeling.
How long were you hauling with Relay before you decided to grow your fleet?
About one year, seeing the consistency and the stability that I could create with Relay’s contracts. Relay shows the contract’s base rate, so you know what you’re going to make. That was a complete game changer for me, allowing me to picture how I could scale. And, of course, being home every single night with my family.
Right now, I have a fleet of three trucks. One of the smartest moves that helped me save for them was getting the right fuel card, one with good discounts and a good selection of fuel locations. A good fuel card helps you save on a lot of maintenance because some fuel stations don’t have good fuel. Relay has built deals and discounts with companies to help you save, including their Comdata fuel card.
“Relay has the tools to help you be successful, and I believe that they want you to be successful.”
Why is it important to you to keep driving?
Driving is a comfort for me, very therapeutic. Just being alone with your thoughts, planning, and getting peace of mind. I think my drivers feel respected, knowing that I’m working alongside with them. And I’m still in the growing phase—driving is still something for me to learn. The longer I drive, the more experience I can get and the better I can help my business.
There’s absolutely going to be a point when I don’t drive anymore. And I hope it’s a little sooner. But I’ll always be a driver at heart and will always be hands-on with my business.
If you were talking to a new Relay user, what’s one thing they need to know?
Relay’s very simple to navigate. Whether you want to be over the road, local, or haul three days out, there’s something for everybody on Relay. The load board is like training wheels. You want to get somewhere where you can get contracts with direct shippers. And by hauling well on the load board, you can earn those steadier opportunities on Relay.
What does the future hold?
More trucks. Eventually, I also want to get a building, like a trucking facility. I understand that things don’t happen overnight. It takes time. I work on my patience every day because I know that good things come to those that wait.
Join Relay
Start your Relay application on desktop or our app on iOS or Android to join Amazon’s freight network. But first, check out Relay’s carrier requirementsto make sure hauling for Amazon is the right fit for your business. Here’s a snapshot of what the load board has to offer approved carriers.
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