For many female entrepreneurs, working in the male-dominated field of transport and logistics was probably not quite the career path they envisioned. After all, women make up just 23% of the industry’s workforce across Europe and Central Asia. However, change is happening and, right now, more women than ever are building their own businesses in this traditionally male-heavy industry. To celebrate International Women’s Day, GLAMOUR meets Susan Mortimer, founder of QRIS Limited, an independent third party logistics business dispatching parcels throughout East Anglia.
A lot of people seem to think that logistics is only for men. It's cars, it's vehicles. It's not something that girls naturally gravitate to. My work is not particularly glamourous. I don't get to wear dresses and heels, I’m in jeans, shirts and trainers most of the day and I get muddy and dirty. But women can do this; I think for a lot of them, they just haven't thought of it as a viable career option.
During Covid-19, the business I was running at the time decreased massively in scope, so I started looking for something else. I've always been self-employed and run businesses and I saw an advert for the Amazon Logistics Delivery Service Partner Programme and I thought, That looks interesting. I think I could do that. But I had no previous knowledge or experience about logistics, my background was human resources and management.
My role as a business owner isn’t about needing to be able to drive a truck. It's about being able to lead a team of people and show them what to do. It's an exciting and rewarding environment and no day is ever the same. The drivers I work with rely on me to see them through the day and a big part of what I do is actually just checking in with them, making sure that they're okay. As a leader, you have to show them that you are willing to do things yourself and then you can get anyone to do just about anything.
I work really hard to try and keep my balance of drivers; I engage to provide delivery services as diverse as possible. We do tend to have far fewer female drivers than we do males. Sometimes I can find alternative opportunities for them. One of my former drivers, Vanessa, now works with me in the office as one of my two Operational Station Managers as I quickly realised her value. She brings the guys home most evenings and deals with all their safety. If they need help, she gets in a van, goes out and gives them everything they need – she's always there for them to phone.
My decision to start my own logistics business was scary and daunting and there were times I wasn't sure I would be able to do it. It takes a certain amount of courage to get you out of your comfort zone and I’ve realised now that my fears were more founded in the unknown.
I like to think my superpower is resilience, not strength or endurance, because that implies that you keep going 24/7. I do not do that, but if I’ve had a bad day, I'll go home, have a good night's sleep and get up the next day and I'll think, Okay, we will do this again.
I’d love to see more women enter the logistics arena. We are starting to develop an environment where women can do what men do but are allowed to do so in their own way. That’s what equity is for me, embracing our diversity and our differences. I’m keen to do my bit for younger women coming into the industry, offering guidance and support wherever I can. This is not a competition, we are all a team. After all, you have to pass the torch on, you can't hold onto it forever.
Interested in kick-starting your own entrepreneurial logistics business with Amazon’s Delivery Service Partner (DSP) Programme? Get the lowdown here.
Amazon’s EU wide Women’s History Month 'Be Your Own Superhero' campaign is celebrating five successful Delivery Service Partners across Europe. From Yasmine in France, who places gender parity at the core of her business, to Veronica, the mother-of-two for Germany who wants to be the best role model for her young family.
