Today we’d like to introduce you to April Jenkins.
Hi April, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I used to work overnight shifts at an Amazon warehouse, and I drove a minivan. Almost every night, someone would ask me for a ride home because the buses stopped running after hours. Eventually, I left Amazon and started providing transportation for some of my former coworkers to help them get to and from work.
Six months later, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. As I began chemotherapy treatments, I spent a lot of time with other patients. When you see the same people every day, you become like family. We shared stories, encouraged one another, and celebrated every victory together.
As time passed, I noticed some familiar faces were no longer coming to treatment. I asked my nurse what had happened, and I learned that some patients had missed treatments because they didn’t have reliable transportation. Tragically, a few had passed away.
That moment changed my life forever.
I realized exactly what kind of transportation service I wanted to provide. In the middle of my storm, I found my purpose.
I never researched the income potential or focused on the money. I simply believed that if I served others with a genuine heart and good intentions, God would take care of the rest. So I took a leap of faith.
AS of July 7,2026, it will make five years into my business. The journey has not been easy, and there have been many challenges along the way. But knowing that I help people get to the medical care they need makes every obstacle worth it.
What began as a personal struggle became a mission to serve others—and that mission continues to drive me every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. This journey has been far from easy.
There were times I literally went broke trying to keep up with insurance payments, driver payroll, vehicle maintenance, and fuel costs. For the first year and a half, I did everything myself. I was the driver, dispatcher, scheduler, biller, customer service representative, and business owner all at the same time.
I quickly learned that being a great leader requires more than passion—it requires knowledge. Since I had never built a transportation company before, I made plenty of mistakes. In fact, I made some of the same mistakes multiple times until I finally learned the lessons and perfected my systems. Every setback became a learning opportunity, and every challenge helped shape the business into what it is today.
My days started before sunrise. I had clients who needed transportation as early as 5:30 a.m., and my last rides often didn’t end until 6:00 p.m. Some days were exhausting. Mentally, physically, and financially, I was stretched to my limits.
But I never complained.
This was the very opportunity I had prayed for. Even during the hardest seasons, I could see God working behind the scenes. I understood that the struggle was preparing me for something greater than myself. Every obstacle, every sacrifice, and every long day was building the foundation for a purpose-driven business that serves people when they need it most.
So I kept going.
When others saw challenges, I saw assignments. When others saw setbacks, I saw lessons. And when the road became difficult, my faith reminded me why I started in the first place.
Five years later, I can honestly say that this journey has tested me in every way possible. But it has also strengthened me, humbled me, and shown me what is possible when purpose is bigger than profit and faith is stronger than fear.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What should we know about your story?
My business is named after the two people who inspired me to keep fighting—my children, Carmen and Tre. They have been with me every step of this journey. They witnessed my struggles, my diagnosis, my treatments, and the challenges that came with building a business from the ground up. When I was battling cancer, they did everything they could to help nurse me back to health and keep me motivated.
I also owe so much to my mother, T-Baby. She never stopped believing in me, even during the moments when I doubted myself. She encouraged me to keep going no matter how difficult things became. She attended every doctor’s appointment, made sure my children never went without, and ensured that I had everything I needed to focus on my recovery and my future.
Without the love, support, and sacrifices of my family, this business would not exist today. They are the foundation behind everything I do.
What do you do, and what do you specialize in?
I own and manage a comprehensive wraparound transportation service dedicated to helping individuals get where they need to go safely, comfortably, and on time.
We specialize in non-emergency medical transportation, including rides to and from dialysis treatments, chemotherapy appointments, infusion treatments, opioid treatment programs, rehabilitation services, physician appointments, and other healthcare-related destinations.
In addition to medical transportation, we provide private transportation services for seniors, nursing home residents, assisted living communities, schools, families, and individuals. We transport clients to grocery stores, restaurants, movies, zoos, church services, concerts, wineries, family gatherings, and other special events.
We also offer wheelchair-accessible transportation and ambulatory transportation services to ensure every client receives the support they need.
What sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is simple: I didn’t start this business for money—I started it with a purpose.
I’ve personally experienced what it’s like to need reliable transportation during a medical crisis. I’ve sat in the patient’s seat, the caregiver’s seat, and now the business owner’s seat. Because of those experiences, I truly understand the fears, concerns, expectations, and needs of my clients.
Customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We treat every client with dignity, compassion, patience, and respect. Our commitment to excellence has earned us an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, outstanding client reviews, and a loyal customer base built almost entirely through trust and referrals.
Many of our clients have been with us for years, and some will even reschedule appointments if we’re unavailable. To me, that level of trust speaks volumes about the relationships we’ve built and the quality of care we provide.
What are you most proud of when it comes to your brand?
I am most proud that my business carries the names of my children. Every day, their names remind me why I started and why I continue pushing forward.
When challenges arise, I think about Carmen and Tre and the example I want to set for them. Naming the company after my children created a level of accountability and motivation that keeps me striving for excellence. Their names are attached to this business, and that inspires me to never give up, no matter the obstacles.
What would you like readers to know about your services?
I want people to know that we are available 24 hours a day throughout Illinois and Missouri to meet a wide range of transportation needs.
We accept Medicare and Medicaid and offer both wheelchair-accessible and ambulatory transportation services. For private-pay clients, we provide competitive pricing and upfront quotes, ensuring there are never any hidden fees or unexpected charges.
Our fleet includes a 14-passenger bus and multiple minivans, allowing us to accommodate individuals, families, and groups of various sizes. We employ trained, compassionate, and patient drivers who understand the importance of reliability and professionalism.
We provide true door-to-door service, maintain short wait times, and intentionally avoid overbooking our schedule because our clients deserve dependable transportation they can count on. If we are unable to accommodate a request, we communicate honestly and promptly rather than making promises we can’t keep.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to provide safe, dependable, and compassionate transportation while treating every client like family.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Anyone interested in our services or exploring a partnership opportunity can simply call us at (618) 447-7454. I am always open to meaningful collaborations that align with our mission and create positive outcomes for the communities we serve.
Over the years, I have built strong partnerships with hospitals, chemotherapy centers, dialysis clinics, senior living communities, nursing facilities, and healthcare providers throughout the region. These relationships allow us to bridge transportation gaps and ensure individuals have access to the care and services they need.
I am a true people person at heart. I believe that success comes from serving others, building relationships, and finding ways to make a positive impact. Whether it’s helping a patient get to a life-saving treatment, assisting a senior with daily activities, or partnering with organizations that share the same values, I am always looking for opportunities to be of service.
My personal and professional motto is simple:
“Help Me, Help You, Help Us.”
Because when we work together, support one another, and invest in our communities, everyone benefits. That’s the foundation of our business and the principle that guides everything we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.candttransport.com
