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

Hi Julia, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
There are many habits I have developed over the years that I feel have helped me succeed including daily gratitude, practicing positivity, making health a priority and making the time to connect with others.

First and foremost, I practice daily gratitude. Every morning I thank God for everything that I’ve been blessed with personally and professionally. I’ve learned to wake up when the alarm goes off and to embrace the morning hours. I listen to positive music or an audible every morning as I get ready for work. I am a firm believer in lifelong learning and can say with confidence, the books I have read/listened to recently attribute to my positive outlook on life…no matter the circumstances.

I have made it a habit to practice daily positivity…whether in the office, with customers or friends and family…I live with intentionality and look for the positive in every situation. When life isn’t going well, rather than play a victim, I’ve made it a habit to ask myself “What can I learn from this experience?” This small shift has helped me turn my struggles into strengths and to give myself and others grace.

I make it a habit to keep myself healthy…mind, body and spirit. Eating healthy and getting fresh air everyday is crucial. Two years ago, I gave up alcohol indefinitely and the positive ripples have been life changing. I sleep better…no more hangovers…clarity in the morning…weight loss and a new take on life and making the most of every day. I try to stay away from Social Media in the morning and focus on my goals and how I can shine bright for my family, in my community, and at the office.

Finally, I have made it a habit to make time to connect with others every day. I am actively involved in the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and just wrapped up a year as the Chair of the Women Empowered Committee. I look for opportunities to listen for understanding and give back to the community…whether that means my time, talent or treasures. I make it a habit to smile often and look for ways to lift others up. Life is too short to be anything but happy!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
GR8FR8 Logistics is a full service shipping and logistics company located in Gilbert, AZ. A global freight forwarder, we are more than a 3PL, and can coordinate shipping on behalf of businesses of all sizes-both Domestically and Internationally. Services we offer include Domestic and International Air, Ocean, Truckload, Less-Than-Truckload, Flatbeds, Hot Shots and Expedites. We’ve helped coordinate full plant moves within the United States and can create customized LTL Portals for our customers that allows them to rate shipments in minutes with access to all of our contracted carriers.

Our GR8 customer service sets us apart from our competitors. We are relationship driven and proactive in picking up the phones…even after hours. Our loyal employees are hard working and dedicated to making sure customers, carriers and our communities are taken care of. We provide the same GR8 customer service and pricing no matter the size of the business. Whether a solopreneur is trying to import goods quarterly or a company with 1000+ employees is shipping daily…EVERY customer matters and we value each and every opportunity.

When we say we’ll “Take GR8 Care of Your FR8”, it goes without saying we’ll Take GR8 Care of YOU as well!

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 absolutely LOVE the town of Gilbert! Our office is located at the heart of San Tan Village Mall, so there are plenty of options for shopping, entertainment and delicious food! Downtown Gilbert also offers an array of cuisines and a Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. We have some spectacular golf courses, and if you time it right, the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Open at TPC Scottsdale is always a blast! The Salt River is 30 minutes away and provides opportunities to swim, go tubbing, paddle boarding or kayaking. We have some great hiking trails locally, but you can also escape the heat by driving a few hours to hike in cooler weather, ski, go camping, or boating. Spring Training games, escape rooms, parks, concerts…the possibilities in Arizona are endless!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my incredible husband and business partner, Nick Macaluso. It’s hard to believe that what started off as a friendship in high school…has turned into somewhat of a fairy tale nearly 30 years later. The road hasn’t been easy…but it has certainly been worth it! He and I are are the perfect “Ying” and “Yang” when it comes to running a successful business. I am honored to work along side him and proud to call him my soul mate and best friend.

Website: www.gr8fr8logistics.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gr8fr8-logistics-llc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063667443984

Image Credits
Christine Lowell Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.