Owner Operator, no experiance.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Cokyodi, Mar 22, 2018.

  1. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    I think must of us knew you were just messing around.
     
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  3. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    Get some driving experience first and see even if you like the work, before starting a business built around that work.
     
    TaterWagon#62, Cokyodi and TripleSix Thank this.
  4. Cohiba

    Cohiba Bobtail Member

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    I have a buddy in Chicago that bought a truck two years ago and became an owner operator after working for various companies for ten years. He nets $120k+ a year now. I'm planning on getting into trucking and his advice was to own a truck as soon as possible. He didn't start with a safety net and wishes he would have made the leap years ago.
    He doesn't have his own authority and never plans to. That seems to be the real risk, according to him.
     
    Cokyodi Thanks this.
  5. Aces-N-Eights

    Aces-N-Eights Light Load Member

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    Feb 21, 2018
    Mobile, AL
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    .
    I EMPAHTICALLY disagree with the "No Safety Net" advice...

    It really all begins and ends with finances. Ask yourself the following questions:

    Do I have enough to buy a mechanically sound truck?
    Do I have enough to get a mechanically sound trailer?
    Do I have enough to pay for the insurance?
    Do I have 60 days of operating costs liquid until checks start coming in?
    Do I have at least $10k in an emergency repair fund?

    If you answer "NO" to any of these, I'd say to wait until you can satisfy the question BEFORE making the dive into Owner / Operator-ship. Don't be the company that an in-frame repair bill separates you from bankruptcy.

    My 2 cents... (no change required :) )
     
    Justrucking2 Thanks this.
  6. Cohiba

    Cohiba Bobtail Member

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    I wouldn't be comfortable either without some safety. I owned a restaurant for 10 years and know the importance of having money to keep things afloat. No one is advising to start without a safety net. The reality is we don't always have one. He broke down the first week and put $2500 on his credit card and luckily went 5 months before the next major problem.

    Hey man, I'm just trying to give some positive input. Most on here seem to have a very poor attitude and think everything is impossible. It's not.
     
  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    I agree with everything except the $10k part. That amount might have been enough 10 maybe 15 years ago. I would not want to step out into this part of the business unless I had at least $25K cash reserves and at least an equal amount in a line of credit. Depending of the where and whens you could spend $1,000 just for a hotel and food. That's my ----

    [​IMG]
     
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  8. lwlevens

    lwlevens Medium Load Member

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    Here, here. Have credit cards? Go to the bank get a personal or business line of credit. If you wait to have a safety net chances are it may never happen.
     
    Cohiba Thanks this.
  9. Aces-N-Eights

    Aces-N-Eights Light Load Member

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    Feb 21, 2018
    Mobile, AL
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  10. Aces-N-Eights

    Aces-N-Eights Light Load Member

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    Mobile, AL
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    Very true. NOTHING is impossible. I wasn't trying to be negative. I was just trying to emphasize the importance of being properly funded. I have seen multiple posts about having a few bucks saved, buying a beater or "fixer-upper, and expecting everything to go right. I believe everyone here will agree that it' a matter of when (not if) things go south. Best of luck in your new endeavor!
     
    Cokyodi and Cohiba Thank this.
  11. Armatus

    Armatus Light Load Member

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    I'm in the same boat and have the funds. 100k. but It doesn't take 100k to make money it takes experience in this field
     
    Cokyodi Thanks this.
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