To discuss recent changes and the evolution of the industry, in addition to celebrating 17 years in business, Spot co-founders, Andrew Elsener and Andy Schenck, brought together a handful of the company’s most tenured employees for an off-site roundtable at one of their favorite Indianapolis restaurants, Harry & Izzy’s.
With over 130 years of collective logistics experience sitting around the table, the group reminisced about the days of handwritten rate confirmations, manual check calls, and cold McDonald’s meals, and traced the pivotal moments that transformed Spot into one of the nation’s largest logistics providers.
The conversation had a single throughline, whether talking about technology, office space, or new challenges; Spot would not be where it is without its people.
Listen here and read more below.
Key Takeaways from the Table
- From Fax Server to Advanced Technology: Before automated workflows, Spot’s operations relied on chain-linked baskets and a $10,000 fax server that felt like a massive corporate milestone. Fast-forward to today, and API pricing, automated EDI tenders, and instant check calls drive thousands of daily loads.
- Building Red, now MySpot, Against the Odds: When the team first sat down at the Elbow Room bar to dream up Spot’s proprietary software, industry peers advised against it. Ten-plus years of development later, building Red in-house proved to be the ultimate growth catalyst—allowing Spot to adapt instantly to freight fraud, carrier vetting changes, and market volatility.
- The “Say Yes” DNA: From taking on massive single-source accounts to navigating severe weather disruptions, Spot’s growth was built on a simple premise: say yes to the challenge first, then roll up your sleeves and engineer the solution.
- Maturing Through Industry Cycles: From managing small revenue off card tables to navigating modern disruptions—like non-domicile CDLs, ELP compliance, and dramatic capacity shifts—the team credited deep internal expertise and cross-departmental collaboration for Spot’s 99% retention rate.