At Evergreen Awards, we honor businesses that lead with integrity, serve with intention, and elevate their industries through innovative, people-first strategies. This year, we are proud to present Guardian Freight Solutions with the title of Best Emerging Freight Brokerage in Minnesota of 2025. Founded and led by Maddy Rodriguez, Guardian Freight Solutions is not only reshaping the logistics space in Minnesota but also setting a new national benchmark for trust, agility, and purpose-driven growth.

Outstanding Product Evaluation and Personalized Service

Guardian Freight Solutions has quickly become known for delivering tailored logistics solutions that are far from one-size-fits-all. Clients frequently express appreciation for how their freight needs are handled with care, precision, and responsiveness, qualities often lost in the scale of larger, impersonal brokerages. Whether coordinating time-sensitive shipments or navigating complex supply chains, Guardian takes the time to understand each client’s business and then crafts a plan that works specifically for them. This level of customization has been a defining factor in the company’s rapid client growth and retention over the past year.

Demonstrated Expertise and Knowledge

Under Maddy Rodriguez’s leadership, the Guardian team brings not just logistical expertise, but real-world insight into how to navigate an evolving industry. As a woman-owned and operated business in a male-dominated sector, Guardian Freight Solutions has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Their operational agility allows them to react faster to market shifts, which is especially valuable in today’s volatile supply chain landscape. Their commitment to continuous improvement and learning keeps them at the forefront of freight brokerage innovation, blending traditional service principles with modern strategies.

Authenticity and Trustworthiness

At the heart of Guardian Freight Solutions is a commitment to transparency. Clients are never left in the dark. From initial quotes to final delivery, the company offers consistent, clear communication, building lasting trust at every step. Unlike many logistics firms that overpromise and underdeliver, Guardian sets realistic expectations and exceeds them through action rather than marketing. This honest, human-centered approach has made Guardian a standout among freight partners, especially for businesses that value reliability as much as results.

Quantitative Performance Excellence

Though young in age, Guardian Freight Solutions has already demonstrated significant traction in its first year. Growth in client accounts, positive feedback across digital platforms, and rising demand for repeat service speak volumes about the brokerage’s performance. Clients cite reduced shipping delays, better coordination with carriers, and improved budget alignment thanks to Guardian’s precision planning. These measurable outcomes are proof of the company’s capacity to deliver not only on promises, but also on performance.

Competitive Differentiation

What truly sets Guardian Freight Solutions apart is the harmony of heart and hustle. While larger brokerages may boast decades of service or global reach, few can match Guardian’s deep client relationships and local roots. Their Minnesota-based operation combines Midwestern values, trust, integrity, and care, with the sophistication of a national logistics firm. Moreover, as a woman-owned enterprise, Guardian introduces a much-needed perspective and leadership style to an industry long overdue for change.

Additional Criteria for Distinction

Beyond logistics, Guardian Freight Solutions is deeply committed to community and culture. They prioritize long-term relationships over short-term gains and view each client as a collaborative partner. Their leadership in embracing ethical business practices, supporting local carriers, and fostering diversity within their network adds another dimension to their standout status. Clients choose Guardian not just for how they move freight, but for how they move business forward with values intact.

Celebrating a New Standard in Freight Brokerage

Guardian Freight Solutions exemplifies what it means to be an emerging leader in the freight brokerage world. Their rise is a testament to grit, vision, and the courage to do things differently. It’s not just the freight they move, it’s the trust they build, the barriers they break, and the future they’re helping shape in logistics. We’re honored to recognize Guardian Freight Solutions as the Best Emerging Freight Brokerage in Minnesota of 2025.

To learn more about Guardian Freight Solutions, visit guardianfreightsolutions.com to learn more or connect with Owner Maddy Rodriguez on Instagram