When you meet Tyler Boyd, President & CEO of Bowline Logistics, it’s easy to see the success: nearly 80 employees, 40+ trucks across North America, and a company known for reliability when it matters most. But what you don’t see is the storm he drove through to get here.
In a recent interview on the Business is fcking hard podcast, Tyler opened up about the lowest chapter of his entrepreneurial journey—and how he turned it into the foundation for everything Bowline stands for today.
“Bad things happen to good people. That’s one thing I learned. And I learned that the hard way.” – Tyler Boyd
The Day the Bank Pulled the Plug
Tyler’s journey didn’t start with Bowline—it began at age 12 with an agricultural business. By his 20s, he was running a thriving excavation company with over 100 employees. Then one email changed everything.
With less than an hour’s notice, his bank shut down his line of credit. Payroll was due. Bills were mounting. And the phones weren’t ringing.
Instead of folding, Tyler fought back. He let people go. Faced angry suppliers. Received public judgment. But most of all, he endured. The result? Not only did Bowline take shape during that time—Boyd Excavating, the business that started it all, continues to operate to this day. With a fleet of 40 trucks running alongside Bowline’s logistics operations, it stands as a testament to Tyler’s grit, loyalty, and refusal to let hard times define the outcome.
Rebuilding From Nothing
With no credit and very few resources, Tyler launched Bowline Logistics from scratch. He leaned into relationships and those who still believed in him, especially his family and wife, Amanda.
“My family’s day doesn’t start until Tyler comes home. That’s our whole purpose of the day—just to wait for him to come home.” – Amanda Boyd
That quote reflects a shift not just in priorities, but in philosophy. And so Tyler set forth to build that trust again, mile by mile. Today, Bowline is built on people. Trust, loyalty, and community are at the core of every haul, every hire, and every handshake.
The Lessons That Drive Him
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Failure is Just a Chapter – Tyler’s story proves that rock bottom isn’t the end of the road—it’s a detour, sometimes the one that leads you to something better.
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Business Is About People, Not Just Profit – From supportive competitors to unwavering family, relationships paved Tyler’s comeback. And they continue to steer Bowline’s direction.
Watch the Full Interview
Tyler shares more about the emotional weight of failure, the responsibility of leadership, and how he mentors entrepreneurs who feel like they’ve hit a wall.
Here’s a clip of Tyler’s story:
Watch the full interview here:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle Green – Project Sales & Business Development
Michelle is known for her deep industry knowledge, customer-first approach, and creative problem-solving in complex logistics environments. With a background in fluid power technology and commercial diving, Michelle brings a hands-on mindset and technical edge to every project. Whether coordinating time-sensitive freight or supporting large-scale industrial moves, she plays a vital role in building trust with clients and driving growth across North America.
