Growing up, I wanted to be just like my grandpa. His name was John Wolfe. He was a serial entrepreneur and he was larger than life. I absolutely adored him.
Almost all of his business endeavours were connected to the trucking industry: Livestock dealing. Cattle hauling. Wolfe’s Garage. Bulk milk hauling. Grandpa loved wheeling and dealing, and he had no quit in him.
Starting in the 1960s, Grandpa and Grandma ran the Esso gas station in Grenfell, SK, on the Trans-Canada Highway – Highway 1. I recall many stories of Grandpa staying long after he should have gone home in the evenings to pump fuel and wash windshields to get his customers back on the road. He knew what had to be done, because he drove trucks too.
What a unique perspective. Keeping his customers happy was his top priority and he had truly put himself in the shoes of the customers he served.
Grandma ran the kitchen at the gas station. Grandpa would always say, “Add more potatoes” – in his opinion, the plate had to be full! Grandpa knew that both the trucks and the truckers needed to be full of fuel before they hit the road.
How did this all come to be?
Nothing was handed to Grandpa. He started with nothing. He had only a Grade 6 education, but he had a sharp mind and he was a hard worker. He took risks and he diversified.
He built relationships and loved to laugh. He was firm but fair. Grandpa was the most generous person I knew.
Those are my family roots. Entrepreneurship is in my genes. It’s part of me: Taking risks. Not being afraid of hard work. Never giving up. Just keep on truckin’…
I like to think my grandpa would be proud of what I am doing today, that he would nod his head and smile in approval knowing his granddaughter’s business has built a group benefits plan specifically for the Saskatchewan Trucking Association.
I get to serve truckers too, but with a different kind of fuel.
I offer fuel to protect and take care of truckers and their families.
Fuel to attract and retain the drivers that transport companies need.
Fuel for the trucking industry, serving clients in our special area of expertise – benefits and pension.
My grandpa always used to say, “You don’t do anything halfway” and that’s always stuck with me.
We’re here for the long haul. You can ask me anything about the STA Group Benefits Plan. And I’d love to hear your story and history in the trucking industry too!
Picture 1: Grandpa John Wolfe beside his new 1968 Freightliner 250 Cummins, with 4&4 trans, 38000 rear – likely heading to Winnipeg with a load of cattle.
Picture 2: The ’63 Fargo and tank.
Picture 3: Beside the Esso Station, Grandpa’s new, larger tank with a 1970 Ford 8000. 1160 V8 Cat diesel with a 10 speed Roadranger trans.
