In the Landstar network, your business is your own, backed by a name that can open doors and a team that helps support your work. For Carlos Torres, co-owner of Landstar independent agency Transtorres, that combination helped turn a leap of faith into a thriving transportation business built on customer service, smart investment and a growing focus on specialized freight.

Torres started his business from scratch, expanding to eight employees and increasing revenue by emphasizing relationships, customer service, and Landstar network support. 

In this Landstar agent profile, you’ll learn: 

• Why relationships inside and outside logistics can support growth 
• How Landstar corporate support and brand recognition can help you win and retain customers 
• What changes when you shift from high-volume freight to complex freight  
• Why thinking like a business owner (and investing in your agency) matters 

Transtorres today: a Landstar freight agent team with a national footprint 

Nearly nine years in, Transtorres has scaled from a two-person operation into a team of eight. Carlos notes that his agency has experienced steady growth year over year, now serving customers across the country with a wide range of multimodal transportation solutions. 

Why Landstar: choosing the right home as an independent freight agent 

Carlos’ path to Landstar started with family experience in the industry. His father, now his business partner, had been a Landstar exclusive owner-operator years earlier and never lost his connection to trucking. When the two began exploring entrepreneurship, Carlos remembers thinking it was “genius” that you could support the movement of freight without driving a truck. After a short experience at another brokerage, Carlos and his father decided to revisit Landstar and connected with corporate support that helped them get started. 

Building the foundation: relationships, customer service, and doing what it takes as a freight agent 

Transtorres leaned into relationships to earn early opportunities. Carlos says that business growth often starts with trust. From there, the team focused on a simple formula: be relentlessly customer-service oriented, build volume and experience, and keep showing up, even when the margin is small, so you can earn the right to say “no” later. 

What helped most: Landstar corporate support and the Landstar name 

As the business gained traction, Carlos credits two advantages he leaned on early: responsive corporate support and brand recognition. By building relationships and asking questions, he learned who to call for help and how to bring Landstar resources into customer conversations. And when it comes to opening doors, he’s direct. Saying “Landstar” can help earn the next meeting.  

“It is a huge selling point,” he says. “Especially, when you’re growing.” 

Moving into complex freight: heavy haul and other niche markets 

Today, Transtorres still handles volume freight, and the agency is intentionally expanding into niche markets Landstar is known for, including heavy haul and other specialized modes. The transition can require a mindset shift. It can be hard to turn down business, but focusing on freight that fits your operation can help protect your time and your margins. 

Think like an owner: how an independent agent invests to grow 

One of the biggest lessons Carlos shares with agents considering Landstar is to truly embrace the “business owner” mindset.  

For Transtorres, that has meant investing back into the operation by securing office space, hiring employees and building a team with defined roles. “It’s not just the title,” he says. “A lot comes with it.” 

Carlos’ advice for new agents 

• Do what it takes early. Build experience and a long-term foundation, even if some early moves are not your ideal margin. 
• Lead with customer service. Consistency and responsiveness create repeat business and referrals. 
• Tap into relationships. Your next opportunity may come from a connection outside of freight. 
• Use the network. Ask questions, learn who to call, and bring internal expertise into customer solutions. 
• Think like an owner. Invest with intention in people, process and focus so you can scale.