A 21-Year-Old Taking on the 3PL Industry: Building a Logistics Company in College with Luca Conner
At just 21 years old, Luca Conner is already building something many people twice his age only talk about. As Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Pack’N, Luca is balancing full-time college studies with the challenge of scaling a growing third-party logistics company. In this episode of the Rebellious Times Podcast, we explore his journey from teenage e-commerce seller to student entrepreneur running warehouses, managing employees, and serving brands across the United States.
From Teenage E-Commerce Seller to Student Entrepreneur
Luca’s entrepreneurial journey started at age 16 when he discovered the world of e-commerce and Amazon arbitrage. During the COVID-era pool shortage, he and his co-founder identified an opportunity to buy above-ground pools locally and sell them online for a significant profit. While many teenagers were focused on school and social activities, Luca was learning the fundamentals of business, inventory management, and customer demand.
Building Pack’N While Attending College
After arriving at college, Luca and his co-founder launched Pack’N, a direct-to-consumer fulfillment company serving Shopify brands. However, the road was far from easy. The business spent nine months searching for its first customer while operating out of a small facility that Luca jokingly described as a “shack in the woods.” Despite the setbacks, the team remained committed and eventually landed a client that helped validate the business model.
Growing a Modern 3PL Company
Today, Pack’N operates multiple warehouses, serves 17 clients, employs 20 team members, and fulfills thousands of orders every month. Rather than competing solely on price, Luca believes customer service is one of the most important differentiators in the logistics industry. As a result, his team focuses heavily on communication, accountability, and helping clients grow alongside the business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Luca Conner and His Journey
01:00 Understanding the Business Model of Pack’N
05:10 Luca’s Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
10:32 The Challenges of Starting a Business
16:43 Current Operations and Growth of Pack’N
19:37 Vision for Long-Term Sustainability in a Competitive Market
30:02 Advice for Students in the Age of AI
The Future of Logistics and AI
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation focused on the future of work. Luca believes AI will dramatically reshape many traditional career paths. Therefore, students and young professionals must become increasingly adaptable and willing to take calculated risks. His perspective was simple but powerful: there is now a risk to not taking risks.
Lessons for Future Student Entrepreneurs
Luca’s story is a reminder that entrepreneurship does not need to wait until after graduation. While building a business during college requires sacrifice, discipline, and resilience, it can also create opportunities that traditional career paths may not. His journey demonstrates what is possible when young founders are willing to bet on themselves and learn through action.
If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, logistics, e-commerce fulfillment, or the future of work, this conversation offers valuable lessons from a founder who is already proving that age is no barrier to building a successful business.
Luca Conner links:
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