#HerStory: Resilient at Every Turn, How One Woman Stepped Up, Stood Strong and Built a Business That Moved More Than Freight

With over two decades of experience in the freight forwarding industry, Diana leads Texas Global Services - an independent, woman-founded logistics company based in Houston, Texas. Specialising in international freight, project cargo, and end-to-end logistics solutions, Texas Global is known for its hands-on service and commitment to getting the job done right. At the heart of it all is Founder Diana, whose journey from humble beginnings to respected industry leader is a testament to unwavering determination. She’s here to share her story with us. 

Starting a business is never straightforward. It's a journey of triumphs and tribulations, and mine has been no exception.

I began my career in the freight forwarding industry 23 years ago. I was in my early thirties, newly divorced, with two young children. At that time, I'd been a stay-at-home mom with no real work experience, and I just needed a job, any job. Luckily, my best friend worked for a small, woman-owned freight forwarding company and got me a foot in the door.

Back then, I didn't even know what a freight forwarder was. In case you're wondering, we manage all aspects of freight transportation, trucking, barging, ocean and air freight, charters, packing services, you name it. We're often the unsung heroes of the supply chain.

That first job changed my life. My boss became my mentor and friend, and she taught me everything I know. Most importantly, she showed me how to command respect in a male-dominated industry. Over the years, I had the privilege of working with several incredible women, each of whom passed on something valuable that helped shape my path.

Eventually, I moved on to work with a former colleague, someone I had mentored early in his career, who had started his own forwarding company. I joined him as a commission-based contractor and did incredibly well. Business was booming.

But then, I got sick. Health issues made it harder and harder to manage the two-hour commute each day. My husband, whose background is in IT and bookkeeping, kept encouraging me to start my own business. I resisted for a long time. It seemed too expensive, too risky. I didn't know the first thing about accounting or running a company.

Then one day, I overheard that same colleague introduce me to someone as his secretary. I was stunned. After all, I had taught him most of what he knew! That moment lit a fire in me. When my husband once again suggested I go out on my own, I finally said yes. Texas Global Services was born.

It took several months to secure our Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) license, but once we had it, we were in business. My husband built our website and managed our SEO, which slowly began to bring in clients. In those early years, it was a struggle to say the least trying to secure funding for new customer shipments, dealing with lost cargo, and facing setback after setback.

But I endured. And after five years of sheer grit, things finally started to shift. We had the cash flow to fund our own orders. We got better rates. The business became not just stable but successful. Now, after three strong and steady years, I can finally say we've arrived.

If you're reading this and wondering whether you're capable of building something on your own, hear this: you are. It won't be easy and won't always be fair, but if you lead with grit, learn as you go, and believe in what you bring to the table, you'll get there. One brave step at a time.