HomeProfessional ServicesBlack Woman-Owned Company Operates 38 Vans, Making $3M a Year Delivering for AmazonJanuary 01, 2024
Sophia Strother, a 43-year-old African American woman from Austin, Texas, turned a $10,000 investment into a multi-million dollar delivery business calledΒ L2E Industries. Teaming up with Amazon, Sophia now owns 32 vans and rakes in over $3 million annually.
Sophia, a single mom and survivor of π eπ₯ trafficking, has always had a thirst for success. After becoming a mom at age 15, she pursued higher education, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. At 20 years old, she started her entrepreneurial journey with Trustworthy Consulting and owned 2 homes.
In 2018, Sophia stumbled upon an article criticizing Amazon for not collaborating with small businesses for deliveries. Intrigued, she discovered that for $10,000, anyone could partner with Amazon and potentially make between $74,000 to $3 million annually.
“As I read the Amazon article, I was sitting down thinking, wait a minute. Why not me? I applied for the partnership and within a year, I was running a million-dollar business. After 18 months, my delivery company grew to become a multimillion-dollar business,” she toldΒ Business Insider.
Despite initial doubts, she decided to apply as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner. Sophia faced a year-long process for her application, involving an online form, resume, and financial documents. Though lacking a transportation background, she emphasized her community initiatives and passion for serving people.
Fast forward to September 2020, she launched L2E Industries, standing for Learning 2 Exhale Industries. With a fleet of 38 blue vans adorned with “Prime,” her team has delivered over 4 million packages, covering 20,000 routes across Central Texas with nearly 80 associates. The company’s success has surpassed $3 million in less than three years.
Sophia’s business model emphasizes customer satisfaction, safety, and quality, earning financial incentives for positive remarks. Despite challenges, like a rough quarter in 2021 due to a Texas winter storm, her positive attitude and strategic changes led to a successful turnaround.
Now, Sophia says that she envisions a future where she can contribute positively to people’s lives, emphasizing a supportive company culture.
“I now try to mirror what I wish I had during my years in corporate jobs. I’m passionate and determined to succeed because of the families that are connected with my company,” she said.