King of Freight Wichita emerged as one of the most talked about logistics brokerage companies in Kansas during the late 2000s and early 2010s. The driving force behind that rise was Michael Ricklefs, widely known as Mike Ricklefs, whose ambition and wichita shipping sales ability shaped the identity of the company. The journey of Ricklefs from a young salesman to the founder of the king of freight became a notable business story in Wichita. His path reflected determination, risk taking, and a belief that the freight industry offered unlimited opportunity for those willing to work tirelessly.
Michael Ricklefs had described himself as the best salesman at every peddler job he had held before launching his own venture. That self belief pushed him toward entrepreneurship in 2008 when he decided that he no longer wanted to work for someone else. He wanted to control his own destiny and build something that reflected his vision. From modest beginnings inside his own apartment, king of freight Wichita began as a small brokerage idea that later expanded into a growing logistics operation.
Early Career of Mike Ricklefs
Before founding king of freight, Mike Ricklefs built his confidence in sales roles that required persistence and resilience. As a teenager in Wichita, he worked at a call center where he developed his competitive edge. During that period he met Greg Bolain, who later became a key partner in the business. Both young men worked after school and consistently ranked among the top sales representatives at the company. The experience gave Ricklefs an early understanding of customer communication, negotiation, and closing deals.
Ricklefs later attended the University of Kansas where he strengthened his network and sharpened his business instincts. During those years he shared living arrangements with Brady Miller, who would later become the general manager of king of freight Wichita. The friendships and professional relationships formed during those formative years later played a crucial role in shaping the leadership structure of the company.
After college, Michael Ricklefs entered the logistics world by working for a freight brokerage company. At that time he admitted that he knew very little about freight. However, he immersed himself in the industry. He studied shipping lanes, freight pricing, carrier relationships, and the complex coordination between manufacturers and contractors. His willingness to learn every detail of the business laid the groundwork for his future success.
The Founding of King of Freight Wichita
In 2008, Ricklefs decided that he wanted to run his own operation. With confidence in his sales skills and a growing understanding of freight logistics, he launched king of freight from his apartment in Wichita. The early days were marked by long hours, constant phone calls, and aggressive client outreach. He brokered deals between manufacturers and trucking contractors, ensuring that freight moved efficiently from origin to destination.
The initial setup remained simple. There were no grand offices or large teams. Instead, Michael Ricklefs relied on persistence and direct communication. He reached out to potential shippers and carriers, presenting competitive pricing and dependable service. Slowly, the client base expanded. The name king of freight Wichita began circulating within local business circles as a brokerage that delivered results.
Rickelffs did not build the company alone. He contacted Greg Bolain when the idea for king of freight took shape. Bolain, who had developed programming skills through self study, handled the company technology. He created custom software that allowed the brokerage to track loads, manage client data, and streamline operations. Brady Miller joined the leadership team to oversee sales and daily management tasks. Together, the trio formed what they described as a three headed leadership structure.
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Growth and Expansion in Wichita
Nearly a decade after its humble beginnings, king of freight Wichita experienced substantial growth. What started inside an apartment transformed into a professional office environment in downtown Wichita. The company moved its headquarters from North Rock Road to the third floor of the High Touch Technologies building at 110 South Main. The relocation symbolized progress and ambition.
The office expansion included plans to add more than four thousand square feet to the operation. Once renovations were completed, the workspace expanded to nearly nine thousand two hundred square feet. The larger office space reflected not only increased staffing but also confidence in long term expansion.
At that stage, the company employed thirty five people. However, leadership expressed a goal of reaching at least one hundred employees by the end of 2016. The growth plan centered on recruiting young and motivated sales professionals who were eager to build lucrative careers in logistics brokerage.
Leadership Structure and Team Culture
Michael Ricklefs stood at the top of the organization, guiding overall strategy and vision. Greg Bolain directed information technology and software development. Brady Miller supported sales operations and helped manage the expanding team. All three leaders were young, ranging in age from their late twenties to early thirties.
Their youth influenced the culture of king of freight Wichita. The office atmosphere encouraged energy, competitiveness, and high earning potential. Ricklefs believed that financial incentive remained the key to maintaining motivation. Sales representatives were offered fifty percent commission on loads they brokered. If a load generated one thousand dollars in revenue, the salesperson earned five hundred dollars. That commission structure ranked among the highest in the freight brokerage industry.
According to ricklefs, there was no earning cap. Employees who performed well had the opportunity to achieve six figure annual incomes within a relatively short period. The promise of strong compensation attracted ambitious individuals who wanted to control their financial outcomes.
Commitment to Wichita
Despite handling national accounts, king of freight Wichita maintained a strong connection to its home city. The leadership team believed that growing in Wichita remained important. They aimed to provide local jobs and support regional businesses whenever possible.
The company worked not only with major national shippers such as Georgia Pacific but also with smaller Wichita based companies that shipped only once or twice per month. Mike Ricklefs and his team welcomed small businesses and treated them with the same dedication as larger accounts. This inclusive approach strengthened the company reputation in the community.
Vision of the Freight Industry
Michael Ricklefs viewed the freight industry as a foundational element of the national economy. He often explained that nearly every physical object required transportation before reaching its destination. From construction materials to office equipment, everything depended on shipping networks.
He believed that the trucking industry would remain essential for decades. The movement of freight across highways connected manufacturers to markets and ensured supply chains remained functional. That conviction reinforced his long term confidence in the king of freight. He saw the business not as a temporary opportunity but as a lasting enterprise.
After experiencing the challenges of launching a startup from scratch, Ricklefs felt that the company had reached a tipping point. The early struggles of securing clients, managing cash flow, and building a reputation had gradually given way to stable growth. He believed that the systems and leadership structure in place positioned king of freight Wichita for significant expansion.
Ambition to Become the Largest Brokerage
The ultimate ambition of Michael Ricklefs extended beyond regional success. He aimed for the king of freight to become the largest freight brokerage company in the United States. That goal reflected the bold mindset that had driven him since his early sales days.
Ricklefs believed that time and persistence would determine the outcome. He viewed the journey as a long term competition where discipline and execution mattered more than shortcuts. The leadership team shared the belief that with continuous hiring, aggressive sales strategies, and technological innovation, the company could rise to national prominence.
The Legacy of Ricklefs
The story of Ricklefs illustrated how determination and calculated risk could transform a small apartment startup into a recognized logistics brokerage. Mike Ricklefs demonstrated that learning an industry from the ground up could provide the foundation for entrepreneurship.
King of freight Wichita stood as evidence of that journey. From call center sales to freight brokerage leadership, Michael Ricklef carved a path defined by ambition and resilience. His belief in sales excellence, generous commission structures, and commitment to Wichita shaped the company identity.
By the mid 2010s, king of freight had already grown into a significant employer in the city and a respected name in logistics brokerage. The narrative of Michael Ricklefs and king of freight Wichita remained a business case study in persistence, leadership, and bold vision rooted in the heart of Kansas.
