Today we’d like to introduce you to LaDonna Sherwood-Hailey.
LaDonna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
This company was started on the advice of a close family friend. Edward “Eddie” Burnett. He was in Houston operations making close to a million dollars a year. Eddie thought this would be great for Beaumont which is my hometown located about 80 miles east of Houston. So in 2006, nearly 14 years ago, I bought two cheap vans and set out to prove I could survive in the male-dominated transportation industry. When we started L & L Transportation, nobody believed we would do a good job. I was 24 years old, newly divorced and fresh out of college. I couldn’t find a job in the Public Relations industry and my family thought I was wild and irresponsible. So I had something to prove not just to the world but to my family and friends also. I was afraid, but my mother has always pushed me to never give up and put God first. My mother always said if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. When I first started this company, my sister and I was the only drivers. We had many long days and nights. The stories are unbelievable. We have been hit hard by covid 19, but we will survive this just as we have overcome many obstacles on this 14 year Journey. This business is not for the faint of heart or the feeble I have been forced to learn, adapt, overcome and excel with ever changing governmental regulations. I’m proud of the lessons and I look forward to inspiring future entrepreneurs.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing is easy in business. Sometimes you have to go alone and be ready to fight for your future. So many people came against us and talked about how young I was and not ready to run a company that operates 24 hours a day in a male-dominated industry. Every time I was told I couldn’t, I took that and turned it into fuel for my early mornings and late nights. I had to maintain the vehicles, keeping them up to specifications. Hire new drivers and train them. Do all the book keeping and correspondence. Create all the handbooks and policy manuals. Maintain a relationship with Medicare and the facilities all while doing dispatch. And sometimes with my children strapped to my back or the car literally. I have truly learned to master the multi-task. And I wouldn’t change a thing because every trial produces character and character produces hope and hope will never disappoint you. I consider myself a neighborhood Hope Dealer.
We’d love to hear more about the company.
We are a non-emergency medical transportation company that provides transportation to and from destinations set by the state. We work directly with Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly and indigent making sure they have a safe ride to their appointments. We pride ourselves on providing diamond quality services as the standard. We treat everyone like we would want our family members to be treated. We have had 14 years with minimal incidents and our safety records impressive. We also have a reputation as being a no-nonsense company to work for. I will remove any driver that threatens our standards. I have been fortunate to maintain an all African American staff providing jobs to folks in my community who might have been overlooked by others. I provide them with all the basic skills necessary for life and all their future endeavors.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The transportation industry is ever changing and with each new administration there are changing government regulations for the Healthcare System. We hope to see expansion under the Biden/Harris administration as they have spoken about expanding Medicare and Medicaid programs. We look forward to serving more communities and broadening our range. The sky is the limit and I look forward to helping others who may not have considered stepping out on their own to get out there. Nothing beats a failure but a TRY.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3725 Stagg Drive #B
Beaumont Texas 77701 - Phone: 4092230144
- Email: Ladonnasherwood@gmail.com
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