FIXTITLE Ricky and Rena Roberts.docx
OF ONE ACCORD
The Story
Of
Ricky & Rena Roberts
As we all know when working as a husband and wife duo, things can get complicated no matter the type of business or profession. Bringing home the strain of managing a business and balancing finances to your spouse every day can easily grow tiresome. In order to operate successfully as equals both parties must display patience, an open-mind, and a clear level of understanding that the shared company and their relationship are both important, but also know when to separate the two.
Even the longest, or happiest of relationships do not always agree. Mainly because men and women think differently. Therefore, obviously handling business decisions in an opposite manner, causing disputes. The sooner each individual accepts their position (or role) in the business, the less problematic working side by side can be. The ones that realize early on that the fact their partner may be more talented in some areas learn to take advantage of that. Never lose sight of the big picture. Embrace the positive and spin it in favor of the company’s benefit.
When a husband-wife business partnership is spectacular; it’s rare, but possible. After all, this type of harmony has been running enterprises since the beginning of time. When in sync, any corporation (small or large) and marriage can accomplish amazing things. Success is the ultimate prize when you can share it with the one you love, knowing that it was all achieved together.
Rena and Ricky Roberts of Arley, Alabama have found their niche in the trucking industry and know exactly what works best for them. As well as, their trucking company R2 Truckin, LLC. In joining their efforts the two have over 30 years of experience combined. Ricky has earned over a million miles and Rena has been a successful business owner since 2003. The couple initially met that same year while Ricky worked for Rena’s father.
Raised on a farm with two younger sisters, Rena was exposed to heavy equipment and trucks at an early age. She could drive a tractor and was hauling hay before she was eight years old. During her teen years, her family was in the oil business before switching to coal for 25 years. Then, trucking entered the picture. Being somewhat of a role model for her siblings, she took to leading the way in good fashion. She proved that anything a man could do she could do just as well, if not better. She made her own way through an industry that was never designed for a woman. Fearless and far from intimidated.
With trucking as a passion there was no other way around it… Her father had a huge impact in her career choices and like her family, she wanted to be in trucking hauling coal. She purchased her first truck, a 1991 Peterbilt 379 in 2003 and launched her own trucking establishment, A&A Hauling. Each letter A stood for her two daughters, Alayna and Alexa. After she and Ricky were married in 2008, they rebranded the company and formed R2 Truckin, LLC.
Ricky started off working in the construction field alongside his father for many years. By his early 20’s, Ricky was told by his father that he would not be able to find employment without him. Ricky let the sting set in and focused all of his determination on proving him wrong. Completely changing his work interest altogether, Ricky jumped head first into trucking. Any chance he had, he was riding shotgun with truckers taking in whatever knowledge he could every trip out. He was a quick learner, an excellent self-taught student. Not too long after, Ricky landed his first trucking job at a trucking company running over the road hauling produce from New York to LA every week.
Once Rena and Ricky teamed up, everything fell into place. They were married at a wedding chapel in Gatlingburg, Tennessee. At a brink when all of their hard work was about to pay off and their business started to pick up, things took a turn for the worse. Ricky was involved in a horrible motorcycle accident that landed him in the hospital for 65 days straight, 31 of them days he spent in the intensive care unit. Unsure if she would soon become a widow, Rena reverted to the only thing she knew would work: prayer. She continues, “I give God all the glory. I almost lost my husband… he almost died. God has been so amazing to me and my family. He is always looking out for us. During all of the hard times in my life and with our business, He has been there pulling us through.”
At one point business was going so well, the Roberts had up to four trucks and trailers making great money. However, the coal business is seasonal. Rena describes it as a roller coaster, constantly going up and down. Except one year business went south and never bounced back. Unfortunately for them, they waited too late hoping to ride out the dry spell. She says, “We about lost everything. Only God knows how close we got to having absolutely nothing! It’s by His grace that we made it out of that slump.”
Even during their lowest point they had already survived a tragic accident that almost claimed Ricky’s life and a devastating financial blow that completely wiped their income blank; counting their blessings, they still had each other. Faithfully holding on to hope and their marriage, they proceeded forward. Never giving up. The perseverance it takes to keep any business from folding requires a ton of heart, a bit of stubbornness and lots of dedication. See, Ricky and Rena had devoted their entire lives to their family business. It was their bread and butter, the means to place dinner before their children. Together they gladly poured all efforts into their trade every day to provide a better life for one another. Giving up was never an option. Ricky says, “I’ve always told my kids not to give up on whatever it is you’re struggling with. What do you gain if you give up? Nothing. Exactly!” Having that solid support from your business partner and the peace of knowing that your worries are not your worries alone can help pull anyone out of their darkest of times.
Together Ricky and Rena weathered the storm. They leased on to a guy with a small trucking company. Within ten months they got their own authority, October of 2013. Promising to never forget what they had to endure, both R2 trucks are stamped with a dedication in honor of their Savior. The red and white 1995 Peterbilt, which Ricky drives reads, ‘Nothing is too Big for My God.’ Their other truck, driven by another driver is a 2003 purple Peterbilt 379. It states, ‘Only through the Grace of God.’ Rena looks forward to adding another truck and driver in the near future, but right now they are content and remain grateful for another chance of doing what they love.
The trucking industry continues to evolve becoming more and more demanding in the guidelines of statutes, regarding safety and compliance. Standards held for regulation in a field already familiar to the Roberts is not threatening. Instead, the two business owners embrace the workforce that united them together. Trucking is what they live for. It’s what ultimately brought out their best in one another. Ricky states that they take pride in their equipment and how they present themselves. Rena says that she was raised to treat others how she would like to be treated, therefore displays that act of kindness towards her drivers. “That’s where Ricky and I are slightly different. Of course we both treat our employees with respect, but I tend to be a little more nurturing. I try to accommodate them. I know that we are all humans. They have families that are important to them, just like my family comes first too. I understand that.” She laughs and says, “Maybe I’m too nice, which is why Ricky picks on me, but it’s just who I am. I was in their shoes. I can never forget what I’ve been through to get here.”
Their blended family consist of five kids and (soon to be) three grandchildren. Each week, Monday through Friday Ricky leaves out while Rena manages the business from home. Having her two teenage daughters to raise, being available and hands-on is extremely necessary. Ricky’s three oldest are Josh, Jamie and Jeremy. His daughter Jamie resides in Texas and is expecting their third grandbaby to arrive the middle of this month. Jeremy has the other two grandkids, one boy and one girl.
Ricky remains within a 500 miles radius, but Rena would like him home more often. She knows that trucking and being able to travel, seeing different parts of the country especially his favorite areas such as the mountains throughout the Carolinas, it’s the perfect job for him. However, every day her husband hops in the driver’s seat to drive off to his next point she knows that his body is in physical pain. Since the motorcycle wreck, Ricky’s body still has not fully recovered. Some days the pain in his back and leg is unbearable, but as long as he is on the road working, he knows that he is supporting his family. No pain, debt, or lack of money will keep him from taking care of home. Rena states, “Ricky sacrifices a lot for his kids… for me and my girls. He is gone from us too much. We are both getting older and each time he leaves me, I want him home more. I just want to thank him from the bottom of my heart.”
For many professional truckers, this industry is rewarding and in a way, addictive. Trucking is a way of life. Definitely not for everyone. When you have a strong foundation to build upon, nothing can tear it down for good. Ricky and Rena have earned their spot in the business. Together they sustained the hardships of their trade, bounced back after facing life’s obstacles, and continue moving forward unwavered. R2 Trucking is more than a company name. It’s a testament to trucking. If you love what you do, never walk away. See it through. When your heart is involved for the right reasons you will find success. Success is to be accomplished; to have gained victory. Should you find yourself happy, healthy and pleased with your work, that my friends cannot be bought. Like Ricky and Rena, you have made it! All is right.