Last2First Podcast

Jason Burns
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Last 2 First, the podcast dedicated to exploring the final mile in logistics and the unique challenges faced by business owners in this vital industry. Each episode features insightful conversations with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who share their experiences, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of final mile delivery. Join us as we dive into topics like optimizing delivery routes, enhancing customer satisfaction, navigating regulatory hurdles, and leveraging technology for efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned logistics professional or a business owner looking to improve your operations, Last 2 First offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you lead your business to success. Tune in and discover how to turn the last mile into your first priority!

  1. 1d ago

    He Worked for Free for a Year. Now He Runs 80+ Facilities | Tom Jowers | Last2First

    When Tom Jowers joined ADL in 2003, the company could not afford to pay him. He worked for free for a year. By the time he and his partners sold to private equity in March 2022, ADL had grown from roughly 4 million dollars in top line revenue to just shy of 50 million, with 18 offices across the Southeast. Today, as Regional President of ADL Final Mile, he helps run a network of more than 80 facilities across 27 states with over 3,000 independent contractor drivers. In this episode of the Last2First Podcast, host Jason Burns sits down with Thomas "Tom" Jowers for a direct conversation on auto parts logistics, private equity, and what it actually takes to build something at scale. They cover how two companies were acquired on the same day and merged into ADL Final Mile, a full breakdown of the automotive vertical, why staying disciplined about which verticals to chase mattered more than chasing growth, what private equity actually looks for in an acquisition, the agent trap that can quietly damage a company's valuation at exit, where industry consolidation is heading, and Tom's predictions on AI, autonomous vehicles, EVs, and virtual warehousing. He closes with the moment that shaped his career: taking the risk to work for free because he believed in where it would lead. Connect with Tom Jowers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-d-jowers-23224316/Connect with host Jason Burns: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonburns-last2first/ Join the L2F Huddle, where final mile leaders connect and grow: https://www.l2fhuddle.com Follow Last2First:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/last2firstpodcast/ About Last2First: Hosted by Jason Burns, Last2First brings real conversations with the owners, operators, and experts shaping the future of logistics. This is where delivery businesses go from last to first.

    He Worked for Free for a Year. Now He Runs 80+ Facilities | Tom Jowers | Last2First

  2. Jul 14

    From Bartending to President of Crossroads Courier: The Liz Klein Story | Last2First

    From bartender to President of a 700-driver courier operation - Liz Klein shares exactly how she did it. Liz Klein went from bartending and printing her résumé onto a CD at the public library to running Crossroads Couriers a super-regional operation with 700 independent-contractor drivers across five markets and nine acquisitions. In this Last2First episode, she and host Jason Burns get specific about how that happened. Liz explains why she stopped competing on price, how she keeps any single client under 10% of revenue to survive account losses, and why doing deliveries herself made her a better salesperson. She breaks down the vertical-market focus that pulled Crossroads out of the "jack of all trades" trap, how implementing EOS/Traction fixed the company's goal-setting and culture, and how she now uses AI to write SOPs and analyze 30,000-line RFPs. The back half gets honest about the industry: private equity's effect on drivers and rates, the gig economy undercutting professional couriers, the DDU-to-e-commerce shift, and why she believes the industry has to start valuing itself. She closes with her framework for tough conversations and the Valentine's Day floral run that shifted her from thinking like a salesperson to thinking like a leader. How Crossroads grew from 3 drivers to 700 independent contractorsWhy the best salespeople come from operationsThe vertical-market strategy that keeps any one client under 10% of the businessWhy Liz will never be the low-price leader again and how to protect marginsHow the book Traction (EOS) saved the organizationUsing AI (Claude and ChatGPT) for SOPs, training plans, and 30,000-line RFPsThe truth about private equity, the race to the bottom, and the gig economyHer framework for tough conversations: no one you terminate should ever be surprisedThe Valentine's Day that turned her from a salesperson into a leader

    From Bartending to President of Crossroads Courier: The Liz Klein Story | Last2First

  3. Jun 23 ·  Bonus

    He Made the NFL. What He Did Next Was Even More Impressive

    Most fans know Earl Bennett as one of the greatest receivers in SEC history. In just three seasons at Vanderbilt University, Earl became the SEC's all-time receptions leader before being drafted by the Chicago Bears and spending six years in the NFL. But this episode isn't just about football. It's about resilience, reinvention, and what happens when you refuse to let your circumstances define your future. In this episode of Last to First, Jason Burns sits down with his longtime friend, Dr. Earl Bennett, to discuss his journey from humble beginnings in Birmingham, Alabama, to Vanderbilt University, the NFL, and ultimately back to Vanderbilt as Executive General Manager of Athletics. Earl shares lessons on leadership, education, personal growth, life after professional sports, and helping shape the future of college athletics in the NIL era. Whether you're a sports fan, Vanderbilt supporter, athlete, entrepreneur, or someone pursuing your own next chapter, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. Topics Covered:🏈 Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama🏈 Becoming Vanderbilt's all-time receptions leader🏈 NFL career with the Chicago Bears🎓 Returning to complete his education🎓 Earning a Master's Degree and PhD🎓 Life after football🏆 Leadership and the future of Vanderbilt Athletics💡 Lessons on resilience, reinvention, and success Subscribe for more conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and individuals who have transformed challenges into opportunities. #EarlBennett #VanderbiltFootball #ChicagoBears #NFL #CollegeFootball #Vanderbilt #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #LastToFirstPodcast

    He Made the NFL. What He Did Next Was Even More Impressive

  4. Jun 16 ·  Bonus

    4 Final Mile CEOs Reveal What It Really Takes to Scale a Delivery Company

    At FMF360 during the CLDA 2024 Conference, Jason Burns sits down with four of the industry's most respected leaders for an unfiltered discussion on growth, technology, acquisitions, driver recruitment, customer pricing, profitability, and the future of logistics.  What does it take to build, scale, and lead a successful final mile delivery company in today's market? Is final-mile the same as TWO years ago? Featuring: ✅ Rosslyn Ellerbe – Express Errands & Logistics✅ Matt Silverberg – Associated Couriers✅ John Oren – Hotshot Final Mile & Two Year Technologies✅ Sean Spector – Dropoff Topics include: • Scaling from startup to multi-million-dollar logistics company• COVID lessons and business pivots• Customer pricing strategies• Driver recruitment and retention• Acquisition growth vs organic growth• Technology investments and delivery platforms• Independent contractor challenges• Insurance cost increases• Drone delivery opportunities• Final mile industry trends for 2025 and beyond Whether you're a courier owner, logistics executive, transportation entrepreneur, or final mile operator, this conversation delivers valuable insights from leaders managing thousands of drivers and hundreds of millions in delivery volume. Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of final mile delivery. #LastMile #FinalMile #Logistics #Transportation #SupplyChain #CourierBusiness #DeliveryBusiness #CLDA #FMF360 #Dropoff #AssociatedCouriers #HealthcareLogistics

    4 Final Mile CEOs Reveal What It Really Takes to Scale a Delivery Company

  5. Jun 9

    He Sold His Pharmacy, Then Built the Software That Controls Prescription Delivery in America

    What if the hardest part of building a logistics company was not the drivers or the routes, but getting a pharmacy to trust you with their patients' medications? Kunal Vyas figured that out, and then he built the infrastructure so nobody else has to. Kunal started as a pharmacy technician counting pills at 26. By 29, he had a logistics problem he could not outsource his way out of. So he built the technology himself, sold the pharmacy for a strong exit, and launched DeliverStat and RxMile. Today, RxMile is integrated with platforms covering 85 to 90 percent of the 22,000 independent pharmacies in the US, and was acquired by Red Sail Technologies in May 2025. In this episode, Kunal breaks down: Why prescription delivery is the most compliance-heavy segment in logistics How RxMile integrates with pharmacy management systems so couriers never have to touch the software The courier network model and how operators can plug in without reinventing the wheel How DeliverStat does 5,000 deliveries a day in two counties in South Florida The mindset shift that changed everything after the acquisition If you are a courier operator looking for a sticky, high-value niche with real infrastructure behind it, this episode is for you. Learn more at deliverstat.com or reach out directly: kvyas@deliverstat.com ➤ SUBSCRIBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/@UCnSy_CFHSm16SABqd8UPvlQ ➤ SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3gDS58wo6IWeLl48LHukdP➤ APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/last2first-podcast/id1778491941 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!Dropoff Inc.https://www.dropoff.com/info@dropoff.com+1 888-376-7633 GigSafehttps://www.gigsafe.com/+1 407-496-9882 Deliver Differenthttps://deliverdifferent.com/ SCIhttps://sciadmin.com/ CXThttps://cxtsoftware.com/

    He Sold His Pharmacy, Then Built the Software That Controls Prescription Delivery in America

  6. Jun 2

    The IC Legal Trap That Can Kill Your Delivery Business

    Most final mile operators think their IC contracts protect them. They do not.Transportation lawyer Doug Grawe breaks down what actually keeps your business safe and what quietly puts it at risk. TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro and Welcome03:45 - Doug's Path Into Transportation Law09:30 - No Single IC Definition17:00 - How TPAs Actually Work25:00 - Government Audits: What to Do34:30 - Arbitration and the Supreme Court44:00 - Lease-to-Purchase Programs52:00 - Uniforms and Control Issues58:30 - Two Things That Protect You Most1:02:00 - Where to Find Doug Doug Grawe is the founder and CEO of The Grawe Group, a legal and consulting firm focused on the transportation industry. With 15 years as in-house general counsel for a major trucking company, Doug now works with carriers, DSPs, and final mile operators to protect their independent contractor programs from misclassification claims, government audits, and legal exposure. In this episode, Jason and Doug cover the full landscape of IC legal risk in final mile delivery, from the basics of classification tests to Supreme Court cases currently in progress. Key takeaways:There are up to five different definitions of "independent contractor" per state, varying by agencyTPAs are a powerful tool, but only if you actively use them to build proofGovernment inquiries, even small ones, should go to a designated person immediatelyLease-to-purchase programs carry hidden legal risk if the economics do not hold upThe two things that reduce your legal risk more than anything: treat people well and pay them fairly Connect with Doug at thegrawegroup.com. Listen to The Grawe Pod for more expert content on transportation law, finance, and operations. 📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!Dropoff Inc.https://www.dropoff.com/info@dropoff.com+1 888-376-7633 GigSafehttps://www.gigsafe.com/+1 407-496-9882 Deliver Differenthttps://deliverdifferent.com/ SCIhttps://sciadmin.com/ CXThttps://cxtsoftware.com/

    The IC Legal Trap That Can Kill Your Delivery Business

  7. May 26

    From $2,500 in the Bank to $250M in Revenue: Matt Silverberg’s Last Mile Playbook

    Matt Silverberg walked into a failing $10M courier company with six months of runway, $100,000 in monthly losses, and zero logistics experience. He walked out years later as CCO of a $250M global healthcare logistics powerhouse. This episode is the full story. In this conversation, Matt takes us from his days as a clinical psychology student covering radiopharmaceutical routes at night to building one of the most recognized brands in last-mile healthcare logistics. He breaks down the M&A strategy that took Associated Couriers from $30M to $100M in two years, what it really costs to over-promote loyal employees, and why he believes most business owners leave serious money on the table when they exit. Episode highlights:• The $2,500 payroll crisis: how Matt handled $350,000 in payroll due with almost nothing in the bank • Special Permit 8308: the rare certification only 3 companies in the US hold and why it matters for the radiopharmaceutical market • The M&A playbook: how Matt structured rapid acquisitions across the US and Europe • Exit planning: what buyers look for and how to position for a premium valuation years in advance • Why loyal employees can become your biggest operational liability if you are not paying attention If you are building a courier or logistics company and thinking about what comes next, this episode is required listening. Connect with Matt and explore exit strategy support at the L2F Huddle: l2fhuddle.com 📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!Dropoff Inc.https://www.dropoff.com/info@dropoff.com+1 888-376-7633 GigSafehttps://www.gigsafe.com/+1 407-496-9882 Deliver Differenthttps://deliverdifferent.com/ SCIhttps://sciadmin.com/ CXThttps://cxtsoftware.com/

    From $2,500 in the Bank to $250M in Revenue: Matt Silverberg’s Last Mile Playbook

  8. May 19

    Michael Frankel: Why Most Entrepreneurs Get This Completely Wrong

    What does it take to grow a family-run logistics business from just a handful of drivers to nearly 2,000 across the U.S. and Canada? In this episode of Last2First, Jason Burns sits down with Michael Frankel, President of Sir Lancelot Courier & Delivery and COO of PDX, for a conversation packed with real operator insights, lessons learned, and plenty of laughs. Michael shares his journey from working in nursing home administration (yes, really 😅) to helping build one of the most respected delivery operations in the industry. In this episode:✅ How PDX scaled from 6 drivers to nearly 2,000✅ The power of customer service in building long-term growth✅ Dedicated driver models vs. on-demand delivery✅ How technology and automation are changing logistics✅ Why final mile operators should rethink insurance and risk management✅ Captive insurance explained in plain English✅ The future of robotics, AI, and delivery automation✅ How family businesses can compete in a changing industry This episode is equal parts strategy, storytelling, and straight-up operator talk. If you're in logistics, final mile, courier, transportation, or supply chain—this one is for you. Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders moving this industry from LAST to FIRST. #Last2First #Logistics #FinalMile #SupplyChain #Transportation #entrepreneurship  📌 Shoutout to our Sponsors!Dropoff Inc.https://www.dropoff.com/info@dropoff.com+1 888-376-7633 GigSafehttps://www.gigsafe.com/+1 407-496-9882 Deliver Differenthttps://deliverdifferent.com/ SCIhttps://sciadmin.com/ CXThttps://cxtsoftware.com/

    Michael Frankel: Why Most Entrepreneurs Get This Completely Wrong
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About

Welcome to Last 2 First, the podcast dedicated to exploring the final mile in logistics and the unique challenges faced by business owners in this vital industry. Each episode features insightful conversations with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who share their experiences, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of final mile delivery. Join us as we dive into topics like optimizing delivery routes, enhancing customer satisfaction, navigating regulatory hurdles, and leveraging technology for efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned logistics professional or a business owner looking to improve your operations, Last 2 First offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you lead your business to success. Tune in and discover how to turn the last mile into your first priority!

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Burns
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jason Burns
  • Show Website
    Last2First Podcast

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