Meet Kim Banks | Entrepreneur, Owner Operator Truck Driver & Nonprofit Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think risks are necessary to grow. Without taking risks your life won’t elevate. I know most people shy away from risks because it causes you to enter the unknown without knowing the outcome. Most people play it safe with life’s biggest decisions. When you play it safe there’s very little reward, you stay in your comfort zone. When you take risks the reward is great but the road is hard. When I was pregnant with my youngest son Nyle, I decided to take a huge risk and buy my own tractor trailer and start my own trucking company. I had 4 years of trucking experience with no business experience or business knowledge. I definitely didn’t know the trucking industry enough to jump out of the window like that. At the time, I felt like that risk was necessary to elevate my income since I was the mother of 3 young boys. 22 years later I’m still in the trucking business and was able to provide a life for my sons that only owning a business could provide.

What should our readers know about your business?
I own two businesses. I started my trucking company, JNS Enterprises in 2006. I started my nonprofit One Family One Fight, to honor my son Samaad in 2020. What sets me apart in both of my businesses is my integrity, honesty, attention to detail, and my dedication. I got where I am today business wise by staying knowledgeable and continuously learning. I’m a book worm and love to do research on how to improve not only my life but my businesses. It all starts with me though, personal development is key. Not having any knowledge about either one of my businesses made a bit of a challenge. My trucking company was harder because I was young with no business experience or financial literacy. I made a lot of mistakes back then. But the desire to succeed was greater than the failures so I just kept going and learning and getting better year after year. With my nonprofit I was able to take the business principles from trucking and apply them to the nonprofit. Even that didn’t make it easier because it’s two different types of businesses. My knowledge and business principles did allow me to cut down my learning curve this time around. The most important lessons I learned along the way are never give up, once you start keep going, keep getting better, keep learning, trust the process, and follow the steps in order to be successful. Skipping from 1 to 15 doesn’t work because you missed 14 other steps in the interim. I want the world to know that Kim Banks is who she is because of what she’s been through. I’m not a product of my story but a product of the lessons gained from my life’s experiences, both good and bad. My son Samaad taught me that life is short. The dash between your sunrise and sunset are so important. He created a legacy in 19 years. I want to do the same. If you have the chance to meet me and get to know me, I’m going touch your life in a positive way, make an impact just like Samaad did.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love having a good time with good company! Outdoor activities, good food and drinks, and ambiance are definitely on the itinerary. We will visit Bear Mountain in Orange County NY. After a day of sight seeing and hiking in the mountains we will eat dinner at Capital Grille in Paramus, NJ. The next day is a day of relaxation when we visit SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater, NJ. After the spa, dinner and drinks will be at Son Cubano Restaurant on the Hudson in West New York, NJ. On day 3 we will visit the beach. My favorite beach in New Jersey is Long Beach Island (LBI). We definitely have to go to my favorite breakfast spot by LBI called Sweet Jenny’s in Barnegat, NJ before the beach. Dinner and drinks that night would be at The Old Causeway Steak & Oyster House. Their food is delish! On day 4 we will go sightseeing in New York City. There’s so much to see and eat there! Our dinner will be at Carmine’s. It has the best family style Italian dishes. On a Sunday we will go to the Jazz Brunch at Americana Kitchen & Bar in East Windsor, NJ.. On day 5 we will visit Cape May, NJ. We definitely have to go jet skiing, and do a boat tour. The Tiki boat is so much fun! Music, and drinks while going down the ocean! Living in Jersey you have so much to do especially since we are surrounded by NYC and Philadelphia. You never get bored, there’s something for everyone.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My life changed in 2019 when I lost my middle son Samaad to gun violence. He was 19 years old. That experience was horrific, depressing and heartbreaking. My village; my other 2 son’s Jamal and Nyle, my son’s friends, my friends, my family, my mentor Coach Audrey Taylor, my sister Michele, and most importantly my belief in God has taken me through the hardest days since Samaad’s passing. Without their love and encouragement I wouldn’t be able to make it through!

Website: www.onefamilyonefight.com

Instagram: @mama2up

Facebook: @Kim Banks

Image Credits
@dro.captures