A Milwaukee-based trucking company, Go Time Trucking is inspiring second chances. Its owner, Ed Hennings – a man who himself spent nearly half his life in prison before transforming his own future – has dedicated the business to creating opportunity for those also trying to turn their lives around. With each delivery they make comes another shot at success and hope of redemption.
“He’s an example for everybody, because so many of us we are Ed. His story is our story,” said employee Todd Jones.
Hennings is a Milwaukee native who took the wrong path in life. He’s now on a mission to help others learn from his mistakes and overcome their own. If you ask Ed, he’ll proudly tell you he’s in the “inspiration” business.
“I said, ‘Who am I fooling trying to go to school to do all these good things. I really belong back with guys in the neighborhood just making the fast money,’” Hennings said. “Once you go one way down that road, change is the hardest thing for any human being on earth.”
In 1996, Hennings was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a first-degree reckless homicide conviction. But this dark moment became an opportunity and within his two decade stint of incarceration he achieved greater heights than ever before – building momentum and making remarkable changes to propel himself forward.
“Your struggle is actually a blessing,” he said.
After his release from prison in 2016, Hennings achieved success on his own terms. He made a successful transition into entrepreneurship, launching a barbershop, creating his own shoe line, and founding Go Time Trucking. His hard work turned adversity into opportunity, and he strives to lead by example and be a continued source of inspiration to others.
“You just keep chugging away,” Hennings said. “People see ‘Ed did it. Ed was gone for this length of time, so I think I can do it.’”
Now, he uses what he’s built and what he’s learned along the way to put employees like Jones back in the driver’s seat as they reroute their lives.
“Me myself, I was in prison for 25 years. I went in when I was 15 years old,” Jones said.
Hennings’ other employees have similar backgrounds and are now plotting a new course.
“We see Ed, it’s like a walking example of a billboard of what we can be, but it’s also an accountability thing because there’s no excuses,” said Jones.
“Whether it be in prison or out here in the free world, there’s a lot of brokenness, so people need some inspiration and to know they can do it,” Hennings said.
Every Saturday, Hennings holds Zoom classes for those who are interested in getting into the business or into a truck of their own.
Source: FoxNews6
