How Alvil Trucking's CEO Built a YouTube Channel with 60k Subscribers

In this week’s episode of The FreightCaviar Podcast, we sit down with Denys Paniv, the CEO & Co-Founder of Alvil Trucking, located in Elgin, IL. He not only operates his own trucking company but also hosts two successful podcasts—one in Russian and another in English, boasting over 60,000 subscribers collectively. He discusses the advantages of filing for bankruptcy, the key to a successful podcast, and why his show should be on your ‘must-listen’ list.

From Unlisted Videos to Public Success

We first spoke with Denys in May 2023 on how he got his start in the industry. Now, we reconnect to uncover the success behind his podcasts, which garnered an impressive following of over 60,000 subscribers. 

Building a Brand

Denys’s journey into the spotlight started by uploading unlisted videos to YouTube as a way to communicate with his drivers. This idea received such positive feedback from them, that it encouraged him to start uploading videos in the form of a public YouTube channel. It filled a gap in the industry at a time when there weren’t any Eastern European trucking owners doing this. 

“I started receiving a lot of feedback from drivers, such as, ‘You should do this openly for everybody in the industry because there is no one in the Eastern European community who would be on YouTube on the trucking company ownership side.'”

He shared the reasoning behind the podcast. 

“My number one goal is to bring value. Most people who watch me are in the trucking industry and most of them probably are in the beginning of their career, building their company, or want to become a driver.”

Tailoring Content for Impact

Denys also discussed the strategic approach behind the guests he invites on his podcast. 

“I decided I would be inviting people from the industry that were close to what my subscribers are looking for. I didn't start with any high-end people, who own billion-dollar companies, because that would be too far from what people are looking for."

Authenticity as the Cornerstone of Success

He revealed the secret behind his most popular podcast episodes. Anyone can buy a good camera or just turn on their phone, hit ‘record’, and talk. High-quality recording equipment and lighting are one thing, but the real magic lies in personality, and more importantly, honesty. This, Denys says, is the secret sauce behind his success.

“If you're gonna try to be like someone else, you will never be unique. I figured, “Okay, what do people like me for? They like me for being honest and fair. They like me for the things that I tell them, pieces of advice. Why don't I focus on that but on the larger scale, in front of the camera?’ And this is what I think made the biggest difference.”

Redefining Bankruptcy: A Tool for Resilience

He also discussed a controversial take on bankruptcy, challenging the stigma that has surrounded it for years. To him, it's not the end of the world. In fact, it’s an opportunity to restructure, breathe, and later keep on building a legacy. 

“ If I know that eventually the market will recover and I want to save my company, and if I'm qualifying, either I'm going to go under right now, fighting all of those payments with low paying loads, or just restructure with Chapter 11. It gives you some room to breathe for the next few years. You pay everyone back and then you keep on building your legacy in this industry.”

The Road Ahead

With his refreshing honesty and quality content, it’s clear that Denys is on a path to leave a mark in the industry.

Listen to the entire interview on Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or watch it on our YouTube channel.