Michael Ricklef built his career on confidence, ambition and an unshakable belief in sales driven success. Known widely as mike ricklefs he described himself in earlier years as the best salesman at every peddler job he had held. That self belief shaped the path that eventually led to the founding and rapid expansion of the king of freight in Wichita. His journey reflected calculated risk, relentless effort and a long term vision that extended far beyond modest beginnings.
In 2008 Michael Ricklef decided that he wanted to run his own operation. At that time he had already developed experience in sales and logistics but he had not yet built an independent company. With determination and a laptop in his apartment he launched the king of freight. The early phase of the company remained simple and resource limited yet filled with ambition. Ricklefs handled calls, negotiated rates and secured freight contracts personally. He believed that if he committed fully to the brokerage model he could create something significant in Wichita.
Early Foundations of Ricklefs
Before founding king of freight mike ricklefs built his skills through sales positions that required persistence and discipline. As a young professional he developed a reputation for exceeding expectations. His early experience in call center sales introduced him to competitive performance culture and financial incentives tied directly to productivity. During his teenage years he worked alongside Greg Bolain in Wichita where both ranked among the top sales representatives at their workplace. That partnership later became instrumental in the formation of the king of freight.
Ricklefs later attended the University of Kansas where he formed strong personal and professional relationships. Among those connections was Brady Miller who later joined him in business leadership. These relationships formed the foundation of a leadership team that combined sales expertise management skills and technological innovation.
When michael ricklef entered the freight brokerage field he admitted that he initially knew very little about freight operations. However he approached the industry with a willingness to study every detail. He examined shipping routes, pricing structures, carrier contracts and customer service strategies. His period of employment at a logistics company served as an informal apprenticeship. He absorbed knowledge about how freight moved from manufacturers to contractors and ultimately to markets across the country.
Growth of King of Freight in Wichita
Nearly a decade after its humble beginning in an apartment king of freight had grown into a recognized logistics brokerage company in Wichita. The company operated by brokering deals between manufacturers and contractors responsible for moving freight to market. Through disciplined sales outreach and competitive pricing strategies the business expanded steadily.
By the mid 2010s king of freight employed thirty five people and leadership aimed to increase that number significantly. Ricklefs and his team set a goal of reaching at least one hundred employees by the end of 2016. The expansion required larger facilities and stronger operational systems.
The company moved its headquarters from North Rock Road to the third floor of the High Touch Technologies building located at 110 South Main in downtown Wichita. This relocation symbolized progress and professional growth. Plans were established to add more than four thousand square feet to the operation. Once renovations were completed the office space expanded to nearly nine thousand two hundred square feet. The enlarged environment supported hiring and reflected confidence in continued development.
Leadership and Team Structure
Michael Ricklefs stood at the center of the company vision. However he did not build the king of freight alone. Brady Miller served as general manager and supported sales and daily operations. Greg Bolain functioned as company partner and information technology specialist. Bolain developed custom software solutions that streamlined internal systems and enhanced efficiency.
The leadership group consisted of young professionals ranging in age from their late twenties to early thirties. Their youth influenced company culture which emphasized energy innovation and aggressive growth. Ricklefs believed that collaboration among sales management and technology created a three part leadership structure that allowed the brokerage to scale rapidly.
All three leaders shared roots in the Wichita area and they agreed that growing within their home city remained important. King of freight pursued national accounts while maintaining strong engagement with local businesses. The company worked with major national shippers such as Georgia Pacific while also welcoming smaller Wichita companies that shipped freight occasionally.
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Sales Philosophy and Commission Strategy
The defining characteristic of Michael Ricklefs leadership style centered on financial motivation. He believed that compensation determined performance. To keep salespeople motivated he implemented a commission structure that offered fifty percent commission on loads they secured. If a salesperson shipped a load valued at one thousand dollars that individual earned five hundred dollars.
Ricklefs maintained that this commission rate ranked among the highest in the industry. He eliminated earning caps which allowed employees to scale their income without restriction. Within months some team members reportedly achieved annualized earnings equivalent to one hundred thousand dollars. This structure attracted ambitious individuals who sought opportunity rather than fixed salary limits.
He described the primary selling point to potential employees as the dream of unlimited earning potential. According to ricklefs the promise of substantial financial reward encouraged continuous client acquisition. Sales teams worked diligently to secure new contracts because their income depended directly on performance.
Perspective on the Freight Industry
Michael Ricklers viewed the freight industry as a permanent and essential component of the national economy. He explained that nearly every object visible in daily life required transportation at some stage. Construction materials, office equipment and retail goods all depended on shipping networks.
He believed that the trucking sector would remain indispensable. While technology advanced rapidly he maintained confidence that freight movement would continue to require human coordination and transportation infrastructure. That long term stability reinforced his commitment to the king of freight.
After experiencing the challenges of launching a startup from scratch, Ricklefs felt that the company had reached a tipping point. Early struggles involving client acquisition, operational learning and financial management gradually gave way to stability and momentum. He believed that the king of freight stood on the edge of significant expansion.
Ambition for National Leadership
The ultimate objective of Michael Ricklefs extended beyond regional success. He aspired to be king of freight to become the largest freight brokerage company in the United States. He approached that ambition with patience and strategic focus rather than short term haste.
Ricklefs believed that time dedication and disciplined hiring would determine success. He and his leadership team focused on recruiting motivated professionals, expanding office capacity and strengthening operational systems. The vision involved continuous scaling while maintaining performance standards.
Throughout the growth phase he emphasized providing jobs in Wichita and contributing positively to the local economy. The expansion of office space and workforce reflected not only corporate ambition but also community investment.
Legacy of Ricklefs
The story of Ricklefs illustrated the transformation of a determined salesman into a business leader who shaped a rapidly growing logistics brokerage. Mike Ricklefs began with minimal resources yet possessed strong belief in his ability to build something substantial. Through calculated risk strategic hiring and innovative commission structures he expanded king of freight into a prominent Wichita enterprise.
Michael Ricklefs demonstrated that mastering sales psychology and understanding industry fundamentals could produce remarkable business outcomes. From a laptop in an apartment to a growing downtown headquarters the progression reflected resilience and bold vision.
King of freight under the direction of michael ricklef represented more than a brokerage operation. It symbolized entrepreneurial ambition rooted in Wichita and aimed at national leadership. The expansion phase marked a defining chapter in the career of mike ricklefs and established his reputation as a determined figure in the freight industry.
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