By Abimbola Ogunnaike
An African-American woman who makes $144,000 (approximately N108 million) annually driving a truck while her husband stays home to raise the kids says she is out to challenge stereotypes about gender roles.
Clarissa Rankin, 36, who is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, says she has hauled various items, including tyres, diapers, auto parts and TVs, over the course of five years as a female truck driver.
Clarissa, who is married to Joey Rankin with whom she has two boys, said that prior to becoming a truck driver, she found it hard to make money.
The owner of JC Rankins Transport said that when she newly got her trucking licence, it was hard to find a job because she was not the truck driver people were used to.
She said that after six unsuccessful interviews, she was finally hired by a woman at a small warehouse, and “I was ready to drive”.
Clarissa said that she was making $50,000 a year before taxes at her first company job but she felt it was not enough money.
“So I decided to start my own trucking business. Having your own truck comes with a lot of freedom and you can make a lot more money,” she said.
In 2021, she said, “JC Rankins Transport was able to make $144,208. My truck lease payment: $49,200. My truck maintenance: $2,665. My fuel cost: $19,336. Miscellaneous cost: $1698.
“I was able to profit $71,309.”
Clarissa started showcasing her daily life as a female truck driver on Tik Tok, where she now has over 1.8 million followers.
She said she made $36,000 last year from promotional videos and advertising on social media.
