Two Friends, One Big Bet, and a Logistics Company Built to Scale
5/27/2026 - By Maddi Shuler - Commercial Stories & Insights
At 26 years old, many people are still figuring out what they want to do with their life. When John Foshee and Robert Crump, two best friends from college at Vanderbilt University, were 26, they were focused on building something of their own. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to bet on themselves, they were not looking for the next job title. They were looking to build a real business.
At the time, John had spent five years in consulting, logging more than 500 nights in Marriott hotels, and Robert worked in banking and private equity. They had years of experience analyzing businesses from the outside and were eager to prove themselves in building one.
Their original idea was ambitious. John describes it as an “Uber for self-storage” concept. Customers could schedule a pickup, and the team would collect, barcode, photograph and store their belongings. When the customer needed their items back, the team would deliver them on demand. The goal was to bring an Amazon-like experience to an industry that had not evolved in decades.
The concept worked and gained traction quickly. What started as a consumer-focused storage idea soon grew into a multi-million-dollar business; but along the way, John and Robert began identifying a much larger opportunity in the business to business (B2B) segment of the market.
Businesses started reaching out for help solving logistics problems. HVAC companies needed space for equipment, small manufacturers needed somewhere to store inventory, and growing brands needed distribution support. Many of these businesses were too complex or too small for traditional third-party logistics providers and too large to manage everything themselves.
John and Robert recognized the need and responded. What began as a consumer storage startup evolved into Porter Logistics, a third-party logistics provider built to solve the complicated supply chain challenges others often avoid.
Starting in a modest 3,000 square foot facility, the company expanded steadily to 9,000 square feet, then 17,000, then 50,000, and soon 100,000 square feet. Today, Porter Logistics operates more than one million square feet of warehouse space, serving manufacturers, retailers and distributors with complex, highly regulated supply chain needs.
At the time, John had spent five years in consulting, logging more than 500 nights in Marriott hotels, and Robert worked in banking and private equity. They had years of experience analyzing businesses from the outside and were eager to prove themselves in building one.
Their original idea was ambitious. John describes it as an “Uber for self-storage” concept. Customers could schedule a pickup, and the team would collect, barcode, photograph and store their belongings. When the customer needed their items back, the team would deliver them on demand. The goal was to bring an Amazon-like experience to an industry that had not evolved in decades.
The concept worked and gained traction quickly. What started as a consumer-focused storage idea soon grew into a multi-million-dollar business; but along the way, John and Robert began identifying a much larger opportunity in the business to business (B2B) segment of the market.
From Startup to Industry Solution
Businesses started reaching out for help solving logistics problems. HVAC companies needed space for equipment, small manufacturers needed somewhere to store inventory, and growing brands needed distribution support. Many of these businesses were too complex or too small for traditional third-party logistics providers and too large to manage everything themselves.John and Robert recognized the need and responded. What began as a consumer storage startup evolved into Porter Logistics, a third-party logistics provider built to solve the complicated supply chain challenges others often avoid.
Starting in a modest 3,000 square foot facility, the company expanded steadily to 9,000 square feet, then 17,000, then 50,000, and soon 100,000 square feet. Today, Porter Logistics operates more than one million square feet of warehouse space, serving manufacturers, retailers and distributors with complex, highly regulated supply chain needs.
We work on many sides of the supply chain box. From ingredients and packaging going into manufacturing, to finished goods moving out to retailers and customers. Demand changes constantly, so flexibility and precision are critical.
Complexity as a Differentiator
From the beginning, Porter Logistics focused on complexity as a differentiator.“We work on many sides of the supply chain box,” Robert explains. “From ingredients and packaging going into manufacturing, to finished goods moving out to retailers and customers. Demand changes constantly, so flexibility and precision are critical.”
Porter Logistics supports import and export logistics for global customers, packing containers for international shipping and distributing goods across the East Coast via trucking and rail. Their facilities accommodate a wide range of temperature-controlled environments, from frozen and refrigerated to ambient and even specialized hot rooms that cannot drop below 70 degrees.
The company also operates in industries many logistics providers avoid, including the warehousing of hazmat materials, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences materials – spaces governed by FDA, USDA, EPA, and DEA regulations. John notes, “A lot of people think the risk and complexity are too high. That is exactly where we thrive.”
Hungry for Growth
Part of that confidence comes from Porter Logistics’ leadership team. While young when they started, John and Robert fully embraced the grind required to build credibility in an industry where experience matters.“It was way harder than we thought it would be,” John admits. “We were young and greatly underestimated the effort required to compete and do things the right way. Over time, we learned to leverage our age as an advantage. Now we have the energy and hunger to keep innovating while also mastering the finer, established norms in the industry.”
As the company scaled, so did the definition of success.
“In the early days, success was essentially just survival,” John says. “Now it is about how fast we can scale while maintaining quality, reliability and culture.”
That shift required new capabilities, new geographies and the right financial partner. From the earliest days, Porter Logistics has relied on SouthState to help them navigate each stage of growth.
“We wanted a consultative partner,” John says. “Someone who could help us think through decisions, not just sell us on products and services.”
In the early days, success was essentially just survival. Now it is about how fast we can scale while maintaining quality, reliability and culture.
Banking on Advocacy
As Porter Logistics grew, SouthState’s support expanded with them. When Porter was preparing to open a new third party logistics (3PL) & warehouse facility in Savannah, a critical expansion tied to port access and East Coast distribution, the landlord required a substantial deposit in the form of a letter of credit. SouthState stepped in to structure the solution.“Without that letter of credit, we could not have done the Savannah expansion,” John says. “We also have a revolving line of credit that helps us manage cash flow and move quickly when opportunities arise. It gives us flexibility to invest and grow.”
As the company continues to expand its capabilities into differentiated supply chain disciplines like repackaging and transloading, Southstate will play a key role in funding the capital expenditures for specialized equipment.
SouthState’s advocacy shaped the experience for Porter Logistics. “At a mega bank, I would not get this level of understanding,” John explains. “Our banker is an advocate for us inside the bank, helping structure solutions that fit our business instead of forcing us into something off the shelf. That entrepreneurial spirit matters.”
At a mega bank, I would not get this level of understanding. Our banker is an advocate for us inside the bank, helping structure solutions that fit our business instead of forcing us into something off the shelf. That entrepreneurial spirit matters.
In it for the Long Haul
Nearly ten years after launching their first idea, John and Robert are no longer the 26-year-olds sketching business plans. They are leading a company that serves some of the largest, most prestigious brands in the word and has expanded beyond its home market, built a team of experienced operators, and earned credibility in one of the most demanding industries.The mindset that started it all remains unchanged.
“We are in it for the long haul,” John says. “The first decade was about finding product market fit and proving we could do this. The next decade is about scaling thoughtfully, geographically and operationally, without losing what makes us who we are.”
As Porter Logistics looks ahead, SouthState remains part of that journey, supporting growth with flexible, industry informed solutions built for companies solving the hardest problems in transportation and logistics.
Building something meaningful takes time. With the right partners, it becomes possible.
