BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: CrossRoads Courier & Express Delivery
Unscripted
By Keith Edmonds
Ink Spot Contributing Writer
Located here in Fort Wayne, Crossroads Courier is a family-owned business that provides high quality courier service to its customers and community. Under the leadership of owners John and Pat Hester, they have been serving this city for over 20 years. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with the Hester’s as they shared their thoughts on their business and what led them to begin the journey outside of their careers as educators in today's UNSCRIPTED.
UNSCRIPTED: So, share with me the origin behind Crossroads Courier and how you made the transition from education to this type of business. It’s very interesting to me.
HESTER: “ This is our 20th year with CrossRoads, so first of all we feel blessed to be able to serve the community for this long. My wife (Pat) and I are God-fearing people that started this vision way back when I was a young guy. I’m 2nd generation with this, as my dad started this business in Indianapolis years ago, so I had some knowledge going into this. Fast-forward to 1983 and my acceptance of a head coaching (football) position at Southside High School. My vision was to teach, coach, and carry-on dads’ business. So, I bought my first truck in 1988 and at that point I did residential, apartments, and family moving. Many of us coaches had a second job to make things work so I was not unlike many who took a second job, mine just happened to be the moving service. In 2001,we moved from that type of service to what we do now which is expediting small industry, manufacturing equipment , legal documents, and medical records and it’s done very well for us.”
UNSCRIPTED: Coach I have to ask how important it is to have the support of your wife Pat in business with you?
HESTER: “Pat handles all of the logistics of the service. She’s very organized and has certain skills that I don’t which makes us work well together. When she decided that she was going to leave the FWCS and partner with me full-time that was the impetus that I needed to move forward into the many avenues that have become available to us. Her saying YES meant the world to me and it has been a huge blessing to this business.”
UNSCRIPTED: So, at what point did you see this as a transitional point for both you and your wife out of education and in to this as a full-time venture?
HESTER: “ Well I always knew that I didn’t want a ceiling on my income. Obviously in teaching and coaching there is a ceiling there. I enjoyed what I did but growing up my dad always had a truck in the backyard, so I told myself that when I graduate from Purdue, I’ll do my teaching and coaching, try to bank that money, and live off the hustle of owning my own business. My dad would always say have an honest roll up the sleeve hustle so that’s what I did. After being in Indy for 3 years an opportunity to coach presented itself here in Fort Wayne and I jumped on it”
UNSCRIPTED: Can you share with me how your experiences as an educator have helped you in your current business? How can you link your 2 careers?
HESTER: “ I have always tried to build the same sense of trust and integrity that my father out in us as we worked for him. Build lasting relationships and trust that I’m doing what I’ve been called to do. I enjoyed being in education, but knew when it was time to retire, and now I thoroughly enjoy what I’m doing now and would like to see this business continued with my sons.”
UNSCRIPTED: Coach I’m sure that you’re approached by former students and people that you interact with that ask; How can I get into business for myself? What would you share with them?
HESTER: “What we’ve tried to do is answer that question by partnering with the Black Chamber of Commerce here in Fort Wayne in the “Bridge” program which allows us to mentor and provide resources (even jobs) for young men and women that are interested in starting their own business. I firmly believe that you have to be dedicated and have a passion for what you’re doing. Find ways to enjoy it, because there will be times when you won’t feel like doing it but if you see it to the end, things will eventually work out.”
UNSCRIPTED: As we bring this to a close, every successful company has a slogan or motto that says, “This is what we hang our hat on, and what you can expect from us.” What would you say is the motto for Cross Roads Courier Service?
HESTER: Our motto for the past 20 years has been when it comes to your courier needs, Crossroads delivers.’ That means, we only take on the jobs that we know we can do properly, and with excellence. If we can’t do the job with that commitment in mind, we won’t accept the job.”