For First Choice Haulage Managing Director Amandeep Dhanju, stepping into interstate freight meant learning a new language — and doing it in an industry where women are still under-represented.
According to the National Women in Transport Initiative, the transport sector is the third most male-dominated sector by employment behind construction and mining, with women making up around 27.4 per cent of Australia's transport workforce across rail, road, sea, and air.
For Dhanju, the challenge was never about waiting until she knew everything before stepping in, but about backing herself to lead first and learn fast in an industry where women are still carving out space.
"From my experience so far, the major thing that has worked in my favour is always being honest. If I don't know about something, I'll say I don't know," Dhanju said.
Dhanju and her husband acquired First Choice Haulage in July last year, at which point she left a successful corporate career and dove straight into transport.
"It was a totally new industry for me. I didn't even know how to start a truck, and the terminology the guys use in this industry was completely new," she said.
"But I have a habit of dealing with unknowns, and that's exactly what I did."
She says the transition into transport required a rapid education in operations and compliance, backed by a willingness to ask basic questions without hesitation.
"I was very open about what I didn't know, and I asked a lot of questions," Dhanju said.
"I had to educate myself on the industry from A to Z."
For Dhanju, that openness became a leadership strength, helping to normalise learning and curiosity at every level of the business.
Her role as Managing Director also places her among a small minority in the sector, with women holding just 4.5 per cent of CEO roles in transport, well below the Australian average of 20 per cent.
"The key was not only to ask a lot of questions, but to know the right questions to ask. You don't need to know the answer to everything, but by asking a question, people tend to assist you more because they can see you're genuinely trying to learn."
She says that approach has helped create a culture where learning is encouraged, helping break down the unspoken barriers that can make it harder for women to step confidently into operational leadership roles.
Like many transport operators, First Choice Haulage also faces a familiar industry challenge — customer payment terms that don't align with the weekly rhythm of running costs.
"The invoices are paid on your client's terms, on their 30-day terms, but your ongoing expenses, such as fuel and employee wages, do not wait for 30 days," Dhanju said.
"You pay your drivers either weekly or fortnightly, you pay the fuel costs, so your costs come before your client invoices are paid. Managing cash flow is a massive challenge for the transport industry."
To bridge that timing gap and keep cash moving through the business, First Choice Haulage uses Earlypay's invoice financing solution, accessing funds against invoices raised to clients.
"I met with Earlypay and discussed our finance options in regard to ensuring consistent cash flow," Dhanju said.
"They help us manage cash flow by paying the invoices that we raise for some of our clients."
For Dhanju, having certainty around cash flow has been critical to running the business with confidence, allowing her to focus on operations, people, and growth rather than short-term financial pressure.
Earlypay Chief Executive Officer James Beeson said First Choice Haulage is one of many transport businesses navigating increasing financial and regulatory pressures.
"Right across the sector, cash flow challenges, alongside upcoming Payday Super changes, regulatory hurdles, and a driver shortage, are threatening the long-term viability of many operators," Beeson said.
"It's a sector that literally drives the economy forward, and operators urgently need less red tape across their operations or we risk watching our supply chain grind to a halt."
"What we're seeing, though, is that well-run businesses with access to flexible working capital solutions are finding ways to stay resilient, plan ahead, and remain competitive in a tough market."
For Dhanju, the ability to access working capital has helped the business operate with greater certainty as it services customers in a competitive interstate freight market.
"They are very professional and are doing a brilliant job. I really like them," she said.
Key facts:
- Australia's transport sector is the third most male dominated sector by employment behind construction and mining.
- Currently, women make up around 27.4% of Australia's transport workforce across rail, road, sea, and air.
- Only 4.5% of transport CEOs are women - well below the Australian average of 20%.
- The gender pay gap in the transport sector is higher than the national average – 15.9% as against 13.9%.
About us:
ABOUT EARLYPAY
Earlypay Limited (ASX: EPY) is an Australian-listed lender which delivers flexible working capital finance solutions Australian businesses can rely on.
Earlypay has supported thousands of Australian SMEs for more than 25 years through solutions such as invoice finance and equipment finance - helping them improve cash flow, unlock capital and access a broader range of assets with confidence.
