After years of working as a trucker in the logistics industry himself, Sonne told his wife that he wanted to open his own logistics business. Together, they cold-called businesses from their dining room table and fully immersed themselves in the ins and outs of the logistics industry. A few years later, what was originally a trucking company is now Wido Logistics, an expert in transporting goods all over the nation from its two warehouses, each spanning more than 75,000 square feet, close to Seattle’s port.
One freight truck after another docks at these hubs near Kent and Tacoma, dropping off and picking up thousands of goods daily. What sets Wido Logistics apart is their dedication, especially to its customer service. If a customer has an issue at 2 am in the morning – Sonne, CEO of Wido Logistics, will pick up the phone himself.
The Northwest Mountain MSDC paid one of Wido Logistics’ warehouses a visit, where Sonne Kahlon kindly shared Wido Logistics’ inspirational story, the challenges he overcame, and his advice for fellow minority business owners:
What’s your name, role, and business’s name?
My name is Sonne Kahlon. I am the CEO of Wido Transportation and Logistics.
What does your business do?
We handle all parts of domestic shipping and containers that are imported into the United States. Our company trucks it from the port location to our warehouse where either we transload it, we distribute it or package anything that needs to be packaged depending on our customer’s request. And then we also truck or rail it across the nation. So, anything domestically that is needed for the freight, we process and handle.
How did you get to where you are?
Persistency and consistency was the key, I think, in in my venture. Always knowing what’s needed and keeping my ears and eyes open to what the industry is looking for. And then investing in those certain aspects and going out there and meeting with customers and asking them: ‘How else we can connect our services to their needs?’
What do you love about your business?
I think I love the unpredictability of it. The industry changes every year, every six months. There’s something new or some new regulations. Currently, there’s the tariff situation going on. It keeps you on your toes and you have to be nimble enough to change with the industry and know what your next move is. I think that excites me and keeps me going.
What does being a minority business owner mean to you?
I think it’s about creating opportunities – the opportunities that I’ve gotten at one point. I always like to create them for my team and the people that I work with. Basically, just taking my struggle and seeing how I can piece that together to help the next generation or the people that are working with me that might have some hardships and that might need some opinions and some help.
Trial and error basically. A lot of the times, we’ve had more equipment than we needed. Then, here was other times when we’ve didn’t have enough resources to meet our customers’ needs. But just trying to match them the best I can and just trying to predict the outcomes the best I can.
One freight truck after another docks at these hubs near Kent and Tacoma, dropping off and picking up thousands of goods daily. What sets Wido Logistics apart is their dedication, especially to its customer service. If a customer has an issue at 2 am in the morning – Sonne, CEO of Wido Logistics, will pick up the phone himself.
I think what I wish for others to know about our business is [that] we are responsible, and we’re dedicated. We started from scratch. I understand what it takes to serve a customer and what customers’ needs are. I always tell my customers: ‘Hey, you know what? You can always point the blame on me because I will pick up your phone call at 2 AM if need be.’ And I have a great team. My team makes all the difference in the world. I think the combination of both of those things equals to success for us and our customers.
In what ways has the NWMMSDC supported you?
I think great events. I went to the Baltimore event last time and that enabled me to talk to a lot of folks otherwise that I wouldn’t have had access to. Just connecting the right people, giving face time to one another – those opportunities are giant.
What advice would you give it to other minority business owners?
I would just say: Stay consistent. Keep moving forward. Unpredictability is part of business, but if you move past that, results do happen. They do come with time. I think business is just a risky venture overall anyways, but it’s not impossible. As long as you’re willing to go out there and connect with folks. […] Do your part and it’s absolutely possible.
About the NWMMSDC
The Northwest Mountain MSDC, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering minority-owned businesses by certifying, developing, and connecting Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with major corporations and public agencies.
Since 1978, the Council has been a driving force for advancing supplier programs and creating opportunities that enable minority-owned businesses to thrive. Serving the Pacific Northwest Mountain region – encompassing Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming – the NWMMSDC is committed to fostering meaningful business partnerships and driving economic growth.
For more information about the NWMMSDC and its programs, visit www.nwmmsdc.org.
To learn more about how certifying your minority-owned business can benefit you, click here.
If you would like to certify your minority-owned business as well, click here.