ALLEN KORNELSEN, FOUNDER OF MAXX-D TRAILERS
How did a simple, hard-working farmer from Mexico become the founder of a national brand of trailers? By hard work, grit, and determination. Allen’s story is one of small beginnings, community, and the grace of God. We’re sharing his story with you because we believe that it will encourage many of you that are on the same path of building a business for your family, or you wish to be.
Let’s get to the story!
WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
"My name is Allen Kornelsen, and I grew up on a farm in Los Jagueyes, Mexico. In 1999, I immigrated to Texas in order to seek a better life for my family."
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
"I am the founder of MAXX-D Trailers and I have gone back to my blue-collar roots, hauling trailers."
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
"I started Maxey Trailers MFG, which is now MAXX-D Trailers, back in September of 1999. I asked if I could work for a friend building trailers as an employee, but he told me there was a better opportunity if I wanted it: Starting my own trailer manufacturing company. He handed off some clients he couldn’t serve, and also helped me get rapport and credit with some vendors.
I did everything in my little company for the first six months. Sales, purchasing, welding trailers, painting, shipping, delivery, and everything. It was a lot of long hours, hard work, and sweat. This was before the days of YouTube, and Google was not a common thing yet, so I had to learn most of how to run a business in the school of hard knocks-just learn by doing and trial and error.
After about six months of working alone and doing everything myself, my brother came alongside to work with me. The business was always a family operation, with my kids helping out where they could, and I’ve had many loyal team members over the years. Now my son has taken over the business and has been running it for the past four years, and doing a good job at it too."
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF WHAT YOU DO?
"I grew up as a farmer, not a businessman. Throughout the years of building this company, one of my favorite things was hauling loads of trailers to my dealers. Now, 23 years later, I’m back to my blue-collar hauler roots: Hauling trailers, because I love doing that."
HOW DO YOUR MAXX-D TRAILER HELP YOU GET WORK DONE?
"Trailers have always been the core of my work. Now, my trailers help me deliver loads of trailers to MAXX-D Dealers so they can get them into the hands of other Blue Collar Haulers."
STARTING YOUR OWN BCH STORY!
We believe that men are given a mission to fulfill on earth, and for many of you, that involves building your own business and working for yourself. We build trailers for you working men to equip you to provide for your family with dignity and honor. Got an idea for a Blue Collar Hauling Business? Cubicle got you restless? Are you ready to work with your hands and move stuff to make a living. Check out our free PDF Guide on ‘10 Ways to Make Money with Your Trailer’!
SHARE YOUR BLUE COLLAR HAULER STORY WITH US!
In this season of giving thanks, and always, we are grateful for the men and women who make this company what it is, and for those of you who are out there working hard to make our country a great place to live and raise our families. May God richly bless you, and Happy Thanksgiving!