Episode 1: From Homeless to Million-Dollar Contracts — How Charlene Arnold Became the CDL Queen

The Innovator’s Impact

Company Stats

• Industry: Transportation, Trucking, CDL Training
• Key Achievement: Secured a $1M construction contract in Seattle
• Family Impact: All 5 of her children are now in the transportation industry with fleets of their own
• Known As: The CDL Queen

Episode Highlights

✅ Charlene shares her inspiring journey from homelessness to running a successful trucking and CDL training business.

✅ She discusses the challenges of being a woman of color in the trucking industry and how she overcame a tightly gatekept space.

✅ Charlene built generational success by training her kids and others in CDL certification and transportation entrepreneurship.

✅ Her mentorship-led pivot into using virtual assistants and technology helped modernize her operations and grow her business.

✅ Known for her hands-on approach, Charlene bridges representation and opportunity in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Episode Summary

In this powerful debut episode, Darnell Perkins interviews Charlene Arnold, better known online as The CDL Queen, who went from being a single mother of five—homeless and living in a truck—to landing million-dollar government contracts and building a multi-generational transportation legacy.

Charlene opens up about the challenges of navigating the trucking industry as a woman of color, the lack of mentorship and access, and how sheer determination and a strong “why” (her children) pushed her through. She shares how she leveraged both lived experience and mentorship to transition from old-school trucking methods to using technology, including hiring remote teams and embracing digital tools.

Her authenticity, grit, and passion have not only shaped her success but empowered others to thrive in the transportation space. Now based in Dallas, Charlene trains and mentors aspiring CDL drivers, especially women and minorities, opening doors to six-figure careers and sustainable business ownership.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: What was your biggest business challenge starting out?

A: Breaking into the transportation industry without guidance—it wasn’t welcoming to women, especially women of color, and information was tightly held.

Q: What was your biggest win?

A: Landing a $1M construction contract in Seattle after pivoting from port hauling to heavy civil work.

Q: What sets you apart in your industry?

A: I’m a triple threat—I’ve been a driver, I own trucks, and I train the next generation. I don’t just talk about it—I do it.

Q: How has tech changed your business?

A: I started hiring VAs and using modern load management systems thanks to mentorship. That shift helped me scale.

Q: What's your message for new entrepreneurs?

A: Know your “why.” Keep going—slow is better than no. Just keep going.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro

00:36 – Meet Charlene Arnold, The CDL Queen

01:11 – From Homelessness to Trucking

02:33 – Breaking Through in a Gatekept Industry

03:42 – Million-Dollar Contract & Pivot to Construction

05:28 – Standing Out in Transportation

07:09 – Adopting Technology & Mentorship

08:42 – Motivation, Perseverance, and Family Legacy

10:55 – Defining Your “Why”

12:32 – Leadership, Mentorship & Community

15:16 – The Power of Connection & Representation

16:11 – Advice for Day-One Charlene

17:44 – Final Words of Encouragement

Links and Resources:

• Connect with Charlene Arnold on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for tuning in to this episode of The Innovator’s Impact. Want to stay inspired by more tech-forward business stories? Subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps us keep delivering powerful conversations with real-world innovators! And and you can learn more about our work at 81westcyber.com