Make your passion your daily fuel

In the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship, CEO and founder Daniel G. Cardenas of Transit Owl Inc. says that he and his team have engineered the world’s first and only wire-free trailer connector. This groundbreaking invention was born out of frustration with the universally used, and undeniably antiquated system for connecting. His passion and conviction for his invention was fueled by the realization that established industry juggernauts have at least one critical weakness; narrow perspective and limited experience suffering through the pain- points of connecting trailers themselves.

Transit Owl Inc’s Scorpion Connector™ shatters the century-old tradition of plug-in wiring and confusingly varied hitch ball classifications.

Instead of the traditional plug-in wiring, Transit Owl Inc engineered an industry-first radial socket connector. Transit Owl Inc also developed a single, custom hitch ball, capable of withstanding weights up to class 4, and up to 18,000lbs on special order; officially eliminating the need for multiple and varied hitch balls; one ball to conquer them all.

The Scorpion Connector™ system includes both the radial socket and the hitch ball for one streamlined connection. Daniel and his team are confident that the tidal wave of consumer demand for this revolutionary system is imminent.

The traditional wiring connection system has not changed in over 120 years. But as Daniel developed his prototypes, he could not understand why a better system did not already exist. He could not understand why there was stagnation. He now believes that when an industry stagnates, it is because its corporate leaders have become complacent. As Helen Keller once said, “He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.

Daniel passionately believes in progress and passionately believes that humility is a prerequisite to progress.

Growing up, learning, and progressing in the bustling city of Mexico City in the 1960s, Daniel was captivated by station wagons, pickups, large trucks and humble trailers. While other kids were enamored with sports cars and exotics, he found beauty and value in the practicality and craftsmanship of the former. His fascination with cars extended to repairing and customizing them, leading him to learn various skills like welding, sheet metal work, and upholstery.

Daniel's attention to detail and dedication to his craft set him apart from his peers, who he believed lacked the same level of skill and precision in their work. In 1975, when Daniel was 20 years old, in a dazzling emerald, green Volkswagen Beetle, he embarked on a remarkable journey from Mexico City to Toronto, Canada, and finally to Edmonton, Alberta. Along the way, he customized his vehicle with special additions and even crafted a makeshift trailer from a discarded metal door frame. As he traversed over 6,800 miles (about 10943.54 km), Daniel marveled at the vast changes in the world around him, reflecting on the audacity of a 20-year-old embarking on such an adventure.

When Daniel first created the Scorpion Connector™, his main goal was to simply bring it into production. However, he soon realized that successfully bringing a product to market requires more than just the product itself. It involves establishing systems for quality control, inventory management, compliance, and assembly of a competent management team. It requires collaboration, delegation, and careful selection of individuals to work with you. As the process unfolded, it became apparent to him that specific expertise, an ethical framework, and an overall corporate culture with aligned values were all necessary for success.

Throughout his four decades of relentless progress and entrepreneurship, Daniel understood intuitively that each new endeavor was a stepping-stone leading him to his current position. He grasped the transient nature of success and was willing to discern when to begin, when to walk away, and when to pivot. Notably, Daniel's ethos differed from those who chased quick profits, as he sought to create businesses rooted in expertise, technology, and creativity, for longer-term financial strength. In turn, these endeavors also enriched his own knowledge and passion for the field. For him, it was not solely about financial gain but about contributing value through innovation. There is an adage that states, “If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.” If that is true, then, what Daniel loves is gaining knowledge from others about their professions, talents, capabilities, and the life experiences that have contributed to their success in their fields.

Carrying a heavy heart after losing his 23-year-old son in 2006, Daniel began to prioritize service to others as a way to honor his son. He believes that acting in service to others is more important than seeking self-glory.

While Daniel constantly seeks out individuals with superior talent, attitudes, and education in his own pursuit of excellence, he acknowledges that these traits alone, without humility and service to others, can be detrimental. He has occasionally made the mistake of choosing individuals with expertise but without character. He now believes that while this approach may be effective in the short term, inevitably a team or business that lacks character will not thrive.

Daniel dedicates himself to staying informed through various means, such as reading, attending industry events, and staying connected with longstanding acquaintances. He believes that a sizable portion of his knowledge and insights come from younger generations, his family, and mentors. In a rapidly evolving world driven by technology and innovation, he emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant, adaptable, and nimble to seize opportunities and thrive in the automotive and transportation industries, which he considers his own.

As a new business, Transit Owl recognizes the importance of teamwork, talent recognition, leadership skills, and more than anything else, a resounding belief in oneself to be successful.

In his 69 years of observing humanity, Daniel has come to believe that conformity, mediocrity, and indifferent actions are our greatest adversaries.

He believes in originality, excellence, and conviction. He is enormously proud of what he and his team have accomplished and is ecstatic about the journey ahead.