We recently had the chance to connect with Toska Smith Washington and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Toska , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
What’s most misunderstood about my business as a Logistics Management Specialist is how easy people *think* it is.
From the outside, it might look like all we do is match loads with drivers or manage a few back-office tasks—but the reality is, it’s a complex, ever-evolving industry that demands deep knowledge, experience, and constant adaptation.
It took me “over 15 years” to get where I am today, and even with that experience, I still learn something new almost every day. Logistics is not a “set it and forget it” type of business—**regulations change, market conditions shift, fuel prices fluctuate, and technology continues to evolve.**
The truth is, there’s no blueprint for overnight success in this space. The key is to **start where you are, stay consistent, and be willing to learn and grow**. You’re not going to master everything right away—and that’s okay. This industry will humble you, but if you stay in it with the right mindset, it can also reward you in ways you never imagined.
Consistency beats hype. Every step forward is progress.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Toska Smith Washington, a proud Logistics Management Specialist and the owner of “Elite Fleet Drivers Organization”, based in Fort Worth, Texas. With over 15 years of experience in the logistics industry, my passion lies in helping owner operators and aspiring logistics professionals launch, manage, and scale their transportation businesses successfully.
Through Elite Fleet Drivers Organization, I provide hands-on support, business development services, and back-office solutions to help drivers transition from just “getting by” to building sustainable, thriving logistics companies. Whether it’s certifications, compliance, dispatching, or full fleet management, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
I’m also the founder of “Drivanna”, my latest and most exciting project to date. Drivanna is a powerful job board platform built exclusively for drivers—from gig and app-based work to dedicated contracts, 1099 positions, and even traditional 9-to-5 logistics roles. It’s designed to connect drivers with real opportunities that match their lifestyle, skill set, and vehicle type.
I’m thrilled to announce that Drivanna officially launches on July 7th, 2025! This is more than just a job board—it’s a growing ecosystem for drivers to find work, access tools, and take control of their professional journey in logistics.
We have so much in store, and I can’t wait to support even more drivers as they take the next step in their careers.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just an average girl from East St. Louis, IL—working call center jobs and doing whatever I could from home to make ends meet. I didn’t come from wealth or connections, just a strong will to figure life out.
My passion for logistics sparked in **2010**, when I spent years on and off the road as a passenger with my former partner, an over-the-road (OTR) driver. That experience opened my eyes to the world of transportation. Eventually, I became a broker agent, then went on to **co-own a trucking company I was learning the business from every angle—real-time, real-life.
Fast-forward a few years and a lot of lessons later, I made the move to DFW, Texas, where I reignited that same passion. I drove for multiple local companies, gaining hands-on experience with different equipment types and learning how drivers find work across the board—from box trucks to cargo vans, hotshots to semis. Each opportunity gave me deeper insight into the needs of independent drivers and the many hidden gaps in this industry.
That journey—built on hustle, resilience, and faith—led me to where I am now: helping others find success in logistics, just like I had to fight to find mine.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
To me, life itself is the defining wound. It’s one big test—filled with lessons, heartbreaks, detours, and struggles. But it’s in those exact moments of pain and pressure that true growth happens. I’ve learned that you can’t skip the struggle, because that’s where your character is built.
There have been times I felt like life knocked the wind out of me—personally, professionally, emotionally. But I’ve come to understand that every wound I carried taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way. Whether it was starting over, walking away from what no longer served me, or rebuilding after failure—those moments shaped me.
Healing didn’t come from avoiding the pain—it came from facing it head-on. I had to become fearless, even when I was afraid. I had to push through when quitting seemed easier. That’s the only way I’ve ever truly healed—by not letting the wound define me, but allowing it to refine me.
And now, I use what I’ve been through to help others find their way. Because if I can rise through it, so can they.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people are getting it wrong by believing they have to do everything on their own. Yes, you might be smart enough to figure it all out—but that doesn’t mean you should. Just because you can doesn’t mean it’s the smartest move.
Many highly capable people struggle to delegate or outsource because of trust issues, control, past experiences, or the belief that no one else will care about their work the way they do. But the truth is, that mindset is a fast track to burnout.
Smart people are still human people. And even the sharpest minds have limits. Mental exhaustion, decision fatigue, and emotional burnout don’t care how intelligent you are. It takes real wisdom to recognize when to leverage help, build a team, and free yourself to focus on your zone of genius.
You don’t lose power by asking for support—you multiply it.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people say that I had a heart of gold. That I was the kind of person who genuinely cared—not just in words, but in action. That I was willing to go above and beyond, not for recognition, but because I truly wanted to see others succeed.
I hope they say I was a light in a hard world. That I used my experiences, my struggles, and my knowledge to lift people up, especially when they didn’t believe in themselves. That I left behind more than a business—I left behind impact, encouragement, and a blueprint for growth.
At the end of the day, I just want people to feel like they were better because they knew me. That I poured into them with love, purpose, and the kind of support that doesn’t fade with time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drivanna.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15surqUc3c/
