What does it take to start over in a new country and build a successful trucking company from the ground up? In this episode of Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast, Bek, founder of Bek Logistics and an immigrant from Uzbekistan, shares how he launched and scaled a fleet in the U.S. after starting in agricultural transport overseas. His journey, from exporting produce in Central Asia to running a multi-truck operation in America, is packed with insight, grit, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom every driver-turned-owner-operator should hear. From dealing with border customs abroad to navigating paperwork and compliance in the States, Bek reveals the systems, habits, and mindset shifts that helped him thrive. He also discusses the health challenges drivers face and why he's developing an app to support wellness on the road. If you're an immigrant in trucking, an aspiring fleet owner, or just looking for straight talk about building a trucking business with integrity and heart, this episode delivers. Like what you hear? Be sure to like, subscribe, and share the show with others in the trucking world. 🎧 Episode Timestamps 📍 00:02:17 – Bek's background in Uzbekistan and how agriculture led to trucking 📍 00:03:04 – Starting over by launching Bek Logistics in the U.S. 📍 00:03:21 – Why Bek fell in love with the "romantic" side of trucking 📍 00:04:23 – Immigrating in his 50s and seeing America as a land of opportunity 📍 00:06:25 – Comparing trucking challenges in Uzbekistan versus the U.S. 📍 00:07:51 – Bek's biggest legal challenge and how he resolved it 📍 00:09:13 – How Bek grew his fleet to three trucks and multiple drivers 📍 00:10:13 – Bek's advice for drivers looking to become owner-operators 📍 00:11:21 – The importance of attention to detail in paperwork and compliance 📍 00:12:30 – Financing operations with factoring or self-funding 📍 00:14:03 – Fuel cards and savings tips for growing fleets 📍 00:16:34 – How freight payment systems differ between the U.S. and Uzbekistan 📍 00:17:08 – Which payment system Bek prefers and why 📍 00:18:09 – From paper maps to apps and the impact on small fleets 📍 00:21:16 – Introducing "Truckers Health," Bek's wellness app for drivers 📍 00:24:00 – Health risks on the road and how Bek's app aims to solve them 📍 00:25:15 – Mentorship and community among Uzbek truckers in the U.S. 📍 00:27:11 – Why passing on knowledge matters in trucking 📍 00:30:53 – Final advice to drivers: Don't rush. Build your business step by step 🎙 About Our Guest Bek (Heidi Dean Shamsi) is the founder of Bek Logistics, a growing fleet based in the U.S. Originally from Uzbekistan, Bek began his logistics career exporting produce across borders before relocating to America and starting over in his 50s. Today, he runs multiple trucks, continues to drive, and is developing a driver-focused health app called Truckers Health. 📝 Driver Health Survey Bek is currently gathering feedback from truck drivers to help shape his upcoming Truckers Health app. If you're a driver, take a minute to fill out his health survey and share your insights: https://forms.gle/LpEfZrmhQV8ubp2d7 🔗 Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khayriddin/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/beklogistics/  🔗 Follow Miles and Mentors: A Trucking Podcast Website: https://milesandmentorspodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milesandmentors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/miles-and-mentors-podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MilesandMentors 🎤 Want to be a guest or sponsor the show? Miles and Mentors is more than a podcast. It's a movement of real stories, tactical advice, and mentorship to help the next generation of freight leaders succeed. 📧 Reach out at: [email protected]

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