What made YOU successful as an owner operator??

While there are so many moving pieces that you need to understand and pay attention to, the biggest factor for me has been a positive attitude.

You will hear O/O's talking about how brokers screw you, fuel prices are high, this regualtion or that. Seperate the negative attitude from the information, process it and see how it applies to your business plan

 

A can do attitude will take you far in the trucking industry. Negativity holds you back.

 

knowing the answer, before asking the question, that's just something think about,I was lucky growing up on a rice farm learning to drive a 66 model f-600 rice truck with 2 sticks,dog on the rear-ends and a gas-burner, if you broke it you fixed it.

 

Honesty and Follow through, Communication..... Always. This will create trust, and then you're off to a successful carreer.

 

Communication, controlling costs, and above all finding the right niche that pays. You can have all the business sense or degrees in the world, but if you're running for a 1.25 a mile, the odds of being successful are pretty slim.

 

All of the above are correct and have been totally true in my operation. The biggest thing I have found that made me successful has been having a great reputation. This alone got me a position at a great company and has helped me gain more than I could of imagined.

 

keeping myself well groomed, clean clothes, good attitude and keep smiling when things go bad. Also helps everything to keep your equipment clean and in good appearance


this of course goes with being a tight ###, doing most all of the work on my rig...and not being scared to refuse cheap freight and go home till i find something worth hauling(rig being paid for is huge)

 

As evidenced above, it's not any ONE thing really, but a combination of many.
For me, I'd say low overhead, positive & helpful attitude, good hygiene, clean maintained equipment, being on time....

...you get the idea

 

I do specialized freight so this may not be a one size fits all.
Build relationships.
If you don't have resources but people trust you , you can can trade on your reputation.
Be honest and helpful and you will be taken advantage off but you will also be remembered for being upstanding and accommodating by people with integrity.
These are the kind of people that you want to be associated with.
Pay attention and learn what ever you can.
Learn your customers or potential customers business , then make their life easier for them.
Prayer came through for me as well.