Harper College will be closed Wednesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 1 for Thanksgiving Break.
It’s hard to imagine traveling anywhere without encountering the trucking industry.
According to the U.S. government, transportation services accounted for nine percent
of our gross domestic product in 2022, with seventy-two percent of those goods being
shipped by truck.
Dun and Bradstreet lists over ten thousand freight trucking companies in Illinois
alone.
In 2004, Hugo Moscoso joined this massive industry by starting Moscoso Express, making local and cross-country deliveries with his personal car. Twenty years later, this established transportation company is regarded for its dedication to on-time deliveries and customer service. In this massive fleet of competition, Moscoso Express further sets itself apart by celebrating diversity as central to its success and ensuring environmental sustainability. Driven to build on their company’s legacy, Elizabeth Moscoso and Miguel Moscoso are pioneering paths to ensure the future of this evolving business.
1. Why did you choose to start Moscoso Express?
Moscoso Express Inc. was founded in 2004 by Hugo Moscoso, starting as a one-man operation with hot shot deliveries. Since its establishment, our company has experienced steady growth, evolving into a team of drivers with a fleet of 26' straight trucks, power-only tractors, and tractor-trailers. With over twenty years in the Chicagoland area doing pickups and deliveries, we have become a trusted name in the transportation industry.
2. Tell us a little about your business and what makes it unique.
Moscoso Express Inc. is a transportation company that excels in 24/7 service and transportation in the Chicagoland and Midwestern Region. Our unique approach centers on unwavering commitment to our core values and ethics while ensuring exceptional client service. With expertise in hot shots and airfreight, we have developed seamless operations that go above and beyond to deliver freight on time. We pride ourselves on guaranteed proactive communication and reliable service.
To ensure quality service and customer satisfaction, we employ several operational safeguards. We have built a stellar reputation as an employer, allowing us to hire the industry’s best drivers. Our preventative maintenance program ensures that operations run smoothly. We understand that many of our customers have unique logistical needs, so we are skilled in developing flexible and customized solutions to fulfill their expectations.
Environmental sustainability has always been important to our company. Since 2019, we have utilized technology to measure telematic data from our equipment. This led to gathering insight across our fleet which roots our emission reduction practices. As a company, we see our continuous environmental improvements coming from our people, our technology, and our equipment.
We have always been a minority-owned business and, as of 2023, we are a woman-owned business. This reflects our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our operation.
3. What was the problem you were facing when you decided to contact the Illinois SBDC at Harper College?
We are interested in scaling operationally while establishing strong partnerships with new clients. To be ready to develop those business relationships, we wanted to revamp our business’s marketing materials so they would be ready to present to potential clients. By presenting our company’s stability in its finances, ethics and operations, we are better able to seamlessly transition into these new partnerships. We also asked for help with fine-tuning our sales process to match our targeted growth.
4. How did the Illinois SBDC at Harper College help with the problems you were having?
The Illinois Small Business Development Center helped our company study the market to become more competitive when selling our services. One-on-one consultation sessions allowed our management team to focus on proper development of a growth-minded business plan.
Marge Johnsson consulted with us regarding funding opportunities and Cherie Kretsinger provided advice regarding a marketing strategy to help generate qualified leads to fill the sales funnel.
Dennis LaPorta advised on positioning and handling the prospecting and sales conversations, including role playing and handling objections. He helped us identify and address our two phases of sales: first, to sell our prospects' management to become an approved vendor; and second, to sell the dispatcher who awards each job to an approved freight vendor. For the sales approach to management, we emphasize cost savings, operational efficiency, and long-term value, as well as highlighting technology integration, customization, and partnership potential. For our sales approach to dispatchers, we focus on immediate benefits like route optimization, real-time tracking, and communication improvements, and address practical concerns like paperwork reduction and 24/7 emergency support.
5. Would you recommend small business owners use the services of the Illinois SBDC
at Harper College?
Yes, we recommend the use of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper. The SBDC’s tailored support can greatly benefit business success and their broad knowledge helps reinforce and strengthen all aspects of business.
6. What does the future look like for Moscoso Express?
Moscoso Express is well positioned to continue providing reliable transportation services to our partners. With expertise in the Chicagoland and Midwest regions, we are primed to expand and maintain our reputation as a high-quality transportation solution. Embracing technology and prioritizing client satisfaction will contribute to new partnerships, as well as reinforce existing collaborations.
7. If you had one piece of advice to give someone just starting a small business, what would it be?
A small business can begin by understanding its audience, competition, and market trends in order to prioritize short- and long-term objectives. Adaptability and client feedback are also keys to success.