Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Gaines.
Hi Elizabeth, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My Journey: From Freight to Foundations – Built with Purpose
I started E-Lane Freight Services with one mission in mind: to create opportunities for people in poverty-stricken areas, especially for those who needed a second chance. I knew that logistics was more than just moving freight—it was about moving people forward. E-Lane quickly became a vehicle (literally and figuratively) to change lives, offering jobs, training, and stability for those who may have been overlooked by traditional systems.
As I grew more passionate about transportation and infrastructure, I saw another gap—construction. That’s when I expanded into EZPro Contractors, a civil construction management company rooted in the same core values: opportunity, excellence, and community impact. What started as a logistics business grew into a full-service operation offering excavation, earthmoving, demolition, boring, and tunneling—on both public and private projects.
I never entered this industry because it was popular—I stepped in because it was purposeful. Construction and logistics weren’t just about contracts and equipment; for me, they were about giving back, creating jobs, building generational wealth, and showing others what’s possible—especially those coming from environments where very little is expected of them.
Today, both of my companies are certified, respected, and thriving, and I remain committed to hiring second-chance drivers, empowering women in trades, and showing up every day to build legacies, not just projects.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not by far. My journey has been anything but smooth. It’s been a path marked by rejection, failure, financial loss, and some painful lessons through bad partnerships. There were moments when I questioned everything — when funds were depleted, when people I trusted walked away, and when I had to carry the weight of the business alone. But each setback taught me something. Every “no” sharpened my focus. Every loss pushed me to level up my knowledge, tighten my processes, and keep my faith strong.
I didn’t come from a background where business ownership was handed to me. I built both my companies from the ground up with no blueprint, just determination, prayer, and grit. That made the obstacles feel heavier, but it also made every win more meaningful. The truth is, I’ve had to grow through what I’ve gone through. And while the road has been rough, it’s made me resilient — and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I proudly own and operate two certified women- and minority-owned companies based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area: E-Lane Freight Services LLC and EZPro Contractors LLC. While they serve different functions, both companies were built with the same purpose — to open doors for others, create economic opportunity in underserved communities, and show that Black women can lead in industries traditionally dominated by men.
E-Lane Freight Services was my first venture, and it’s a full-service logistics and freight brokerage company. We provide safe, reliable transport of construction materials, bulk commodities, and equipment across Texas, with a focus on infrastructure and public works. We specialize in material hauling, site-to-site coordination, and dispatch training, and we’re proud to work with carriers and contractors to ensure timely, cost-efficient deliveries. We’re HUB, MBE, WBE, and SBE certified, and we pride ourselves on giving second-chance drivers and small trucking companies a chance to grow with us. Our motto is:
“We provide professional customer service, while being the liaison between you and the world of logistics! Offering all your freight needs—proficient, timely, and SAFE.”
EZPro Contractors, my second company, is a civil construction and project management firm. We specialize in excavation, earthwork, boring, tunneling, demolition, and interior build-outs. Our strength lies in being a dependable subcontractor with a strong bond capacity and skilled teams. We show up ready to work — safely, efficiently, and professionally. From school districts to municipalities and DOT projects, our team is trained, OSHA-certified, and capable of executing major scopes of
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Without a doubt, the most important quality behind my success has been the ability to remain resilient in the face of rejection, setbacks, and challenges that come with entrepreneurship—especially in male-dominated industries like construction and logistics. I’ve faced partnerships that didn’t work out, lost funding on projects, and heard “no” more times than I can count. But every obstacle sharpened my focus.
I don’t give up easily. I believe in bouncing forward—not just back. That mindset has helped me keep building, learning, and showing up with excellence, even when the odds felt stacked against me. I’ve had to create my own lane, and that’s exactly what I did—with E-Lane Freight Services.
Resilience taught me how to pivot with purpose, how to lead my team with empathy, and how to keep pushing forward—because other people are depending on me to open doors, especially those who don’t often get second chances in this industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://e-lanefreightservices.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezhaulandconstruct/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ELaneFreightServicesLLC/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-bryant-897102140
- Other: https://ezprocontractors.com/
