Making the Business YOUR Business

Whether you're the owner/operator of your own truck or cargo van, or perhaps you're simply wanting to drive as an independent contractor, here are some general rules that can be followed and adhered to for both the novice and the seasoned vet. The following are suggestions to help jumpstart your business either as a burgeoning expediter or as a longtime logistics professional.

For the Owner Operators
The first thing to keep in mind is that you are the master of your own truck, so you decide what you do and where you go.

Do you already own your truck and you're simply looking for a place that will help you keep it moving? If so, your decision is a business move predicated on what type of freight you'll be hauling, where and how often. Only you know what's needed to keep your fiscal wheels moving, so make sure your choices of carrier will cater to your needs and expectations.

If you don't own your truck, perhaps you're leasing it from a dealership, then you'll want to make sure the company you're interested in signing with will accept the machine you're piloting. Most will be accommodating, but there are some out there who can afford to be picky regarding what type of equipment they'll allow.

Choose wisely. Not only will you be considering the same queries as if you're already sole owner of your truck, but you'll also want to make sure that the freight they provide will be sufficient to accommodate your truck payment. Every penny is going to count, remember that.

Once you've established which company you'll lease to, make sure their freight is something you're qualified to handle and feel comfortable hauling.

Do you have a hazmat endorsement? Put it to use with a carrier that supplies hazardous material freight. Most companies will pay a higher dollar if you're able to haul goods that require such an endorsement.

The same goes if you're looking to pull tankers, or maybe you have experience with reefers or flatbeds. There's more to the trucking life than dry van opportunities, so make yourself a value that any company would be happy to have in their fleet.

The best way to find out what a company is offering an owner operator is to ask questions. Lots of questions. It never hurts to perform your own due diligence by doing a Google or Glassdoor search on your prospective carriers of choice, make a pros and cons list if you need to. But once you've done that, pick up the phone and call a recruiter or representative with those companies.

Ask questions that pertain to your needs and expectations. What type of miles can be anticipated? If home-time is important to you, ask them how long you'll be expected to stay on the road. What does a weekly settlement look like, and what type of deductions can be expected?

And if a sign-on bonus is offered, make sure to read ALL the fine print. There are almost always stipulations that must be met if you're going to qualify for and receive the entire bonus.

For the Independent Contractors
Most folks don't consider that to make money, you must spend money. Sometimes that's easier said than done. In a perfect set-up, you'll already have some cash bankrolled off to the side. Something that may have been sitting in a rainy-day fund, or perhaps your kid's college tuition. One way or another, you've got to have a little scratch if you're going to satisfy the itch. There's no easy way around that. And a common rule of thumb is to have at least six months of living expenses saved up, be prepared for when the little stuff starts to add up.

If you don't have that type of dough to get this show on the road, you'll have to find a way to get it. Beg, borrow and deal (not steal) if you must. But do so with the notion in mind that what you put into this venture is what you're going to get back. So, give it all you've got.

Once you've made the decision to give it full-go, there's no turning back. Go get the training you need to obtain your commercial driver's license.

Next, find a place to drive and get the experience that's going to stick with you the rest of your life. If it's driving as a company driver for one of the big players in the industry, do that. If it's signing on with an independent fleet owner where you'll be able to learn the ropes from someone who's already done it, that might be the way to go.

Keep in mind that just like an over-the-road trucking route, there are many ways to get where you want to go. You just need to plan the path that's going to work best for you.

Once you've obtained the knowledge you'll need in order to take the biggest risk of all, stepping into your driving role, it's gut-check time. You're ready to do this!

Final Thoughts
Make yourself indispensable, be available to take loads when and where they're offered. Carry endorsements on your CDL such as hazmat and TWIC (this gets you in and out of shipping ports, where there's a lot of freight to move). Maybe even try driving as a team so as to potentially double the amount of miles you can run in a week. Every little tool you can add to your toolbelt, will open additional possibilities to increase your earning potential. It all adds up.

It's a good time to be an expediter right now, there's so much freight that's moving throughout the country that you should want to make sure you're available to handle anything and everything. You'll be rewarded quite well. And who knows, you just might make a living out of it.