Cheyenne resident hopes to inspire others by sharing her journey

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - More than a decade ago, Irene Montoya, said she wasn’t doing much with her life. She then got pregnant with her now 11 year old son, Gianni, which led to her wanting to make a change.

“That changed everything for me. I owed it to him, and to the universe and to God of course, to change my life.”

That’s when Montoya sought the help of Climb Wyoming. She got involved with their commercial drivers license program.

“It was a CDL program and it changed my life. It was wonderful, they helped me so much with everything. We were in a classroom, we were learning all the material to get your permit, then you go back and do your driving test and everything, it’s the best feeling ever.”

After getting her license, Montoya began her career at Knife River.

“They basically taught me everything I know and that’s why I’m at where I’m at today.”

After 10 years of working for other trucking companies, including Simon, Montoya began researching how she could start her own company.

“It was just time for me to step it up. It was my 10 year anniversary and I just wanted to be my own boss.”

That’s exactly what she did. Montoya recently began Sunflower Trucking, she picked up her dump truck “Knightmare” a few weeks ago.

“It was breathtaking. We pulled up in Denver and she was outside waiting for me, I couldn’t even believe it, I could barely breath. It’s surreal, it’s invigorating, I can’t even begin to explain it.”

Montoya is extremely proud of what she’s built and how far she’s come. She wants others to know that they can also change their lives for the better.

“I’m so thankful for my life right now and I would tell anybody, if I can do it, anybody can.”

Montoya said she hasn’t gotten to this point alone, she’s appreciated the support from Climb Wyoming and her family.

For more information on Sunflower Trucking and the services it provides, you can give Irene a call at (307)-640-1350.

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