In the bustling landscape of the trucking industry, Karen Allan stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit and resilience. As the owner of K&K Commercial Properties, Karen has navigated through diverse terrains in her career to get where she is today. But through it all, she remains steadfast that her life has revolved around the trucking industry, and she’ll continue to build her business alongside it.

Given her background in early childhood education, Karen’s business journey may seem unexpected. However, she is a firm believer that life often takes us on unexpected routes, leading to unforeseen opportunities. Raised in a family deeply rooted in the trucking industry, with her father owning a trucking company, Karen gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of the field from a young age. Her formative years were spent working alongside her father, immersing herself in various aspects of the industry, from logbook auditing to accounts payables and payroll.

Eventually, Karen ventured into entrepreneurship herself, establishing a disposal company that specialized in disposal bin rentals, composting, and soil remediation. This venture provided her with hands-on experience in managing a business, honing her skills in property management, bookkeeping, and customer service. After successfully running the disposal company for nine years, Karen transitioned into land development, seizing an opportunity to purchase and develop commercial properties catering to the trucking and heavy industrial sectors.

As owner of K&K Commercial Properties, Karen plays a multifaceted role, serving as the property manager, bookkeeper, and primary point of contact for clients. “I guess I’m ‘the everything,’ except I’m not the equipment operator,” she laughs. “So, when maintenance happens – when we need to do snow removal or do any grading, we have people in place that do that for us. But I’m your first point of contact. I’m sort of a real estate agent without being a ‘real’ estate agent,” she continues. With a keen understanding of the needs and nuances of the trucking industry, Karen ensures that K&K offers tailored solutions to tenants, ranging from individual trucking owner-operators to multinational corporations like Bison Transport. Whether it’s providing parking spaces for trucks or leasing out acreage for industrial operations, Karen’s commitment to customer satisfaction shines through in every aspect of her work.

While most of the time, it’s just Karen and her dog in the office in the winter months, the office becomes much fuller in the summertime. “We have some great partners in the industry, like Batty’s Excavating, which does all our snow removal. And we rely on other companies that we’ve known forever to help us with snow removal and yard maintenance as needed,” she explains. “But in the summertime, we have a great guy named Jacob. He’s our grader operator. He comes in and does the maintenance on the properties starting in the spring, and then he finishes off any development or starts any development on new properties that we have.” Karen says his job changes from summer to summer, but Jacob’s always ready to lend a hand in any way she needs. “He’s kind of our head guy, and I’m hoping my sixteen-year-old son will learn from him.” Karen’s dad, now retired from the trucking industry, is also a huge help. “He still tells us what to do, whether we like it or not. And he comes in and oversees everything, especially when it comes to land development because his background is road building and earth moving.” She describes the team at K&K as small but mighty, and it surely shows.

The fundamental specialty of K&K Commercial Properties lies in its deep-rooted knowledge of the trucking industry. “We’ve been in the trucking industry our entire lives; you can say we were born into it. My husband owns a truck and trailer repair shop as well.” With years of experience in road building, earth moving, and heavy industrial operations from her dad, Karen and her team understand the unique requirements of their clients. “We understand the needs of the trucking industry, especially anybody with a heavy industrial company,” she says. “We know how to develop the land, and we know how to maintain the land, which is what our clients rely on.” Commercial properties are available in a range of sizes from 2.47-acre parcels to 20-acre parcels. Located right outside The City of Regina, their properties have easy access to the over-dimensional routes and major highways and are close to many frequented City of Regina businesses. Pride of ownership is evident, and maintenance is their number one priority. Their fully fenced lots are well-lit, secure, and in established industrial neighbourhoods. K&K ensures that their properties are tailor-made to facilitate seamless operations for any company.

Moreover, Karen’s dedication to fostering strong relationships with clients is evident in the personalized approach adopted by K&K Commercial Properties. Unlike traditional property management companies, K&K takes pride in being the first point of contact for their clients, offering direct access to Karen rather than automated systems or third-party agents. “If someone has an issue at two in the morning, it’s -40, and a gate is frozen, we’re out there helping you out. When that phone rings, it’s us – none of that ‘press one and then press pound.’” This hands-on approach not only fosters trust but also enables swift resolution of any issues or concerns that may arise.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Karen finds joy and fulfillment in her pursuits outside of work. A devoted mother and avid adventurer, she spends her leisure time skiing, wake-surfing, and participating in Spartan races with her family. Despite the demands of her career, Karen prioritizes maintaining a healthy work-life balance. She is lucky that her career allows such a tremendous balance, allowing her to pursue her passions and create lasting memories with her loved ones.

Reflecting on her journey, Karen acknowledges the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her entrepreneurial path. From navigating the complexities of family dynamics in a business setting to adapting to unforeseen circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic, she remains steadfast in her commitment to continuous growth and learning. As she looks towards the future, Karen is excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for K&K Commercial Properties, driven by a relentless passion for serving the needs of the trucking industry.