Getting a debt investor into your company

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by ANTAGONIST, Mar 16, 2022.

  1. ANTAGONIST

    ANTAGONIST Bobtail Member

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    I was talking to my family about my journey and buying a semi. At the end one of my family member asked if they can make money if they invested into my business ( I currently own 1 truck). I told her that I would look into ways that I would be able to receive investors that would benefit both her and me. I actually have 2 people interested.
    So my question is… is it possible? To have people invest and for me to reward their investment. Have you guys done it? What would you guys recommend?
     
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Never, and I mean never, go into business with family or friends. It rarely ends well.
     
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  4. ANTAGONIST

    ANTAGONIST Bobtail Member

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    Ok, so that’s a no for a family member. The other is a old coworker who would like to invest.. should I tell him to buy a truck and I put it to work? What would his monthly percentage be? Just wondering how I can get more money from people coming into my business while giving the a percentage. I now know that family and friends can be in it because as much as I hate to say it… they feel entitled because they know you.
     
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  5. REO6205

    REO6205 Road Train Member

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    Sit down with your friend and pencil out your gross, your expenses including wages, fuel, oil changes, wages, taxes, and licensing. Then figure your expected net.
    As far as going into business with your family, that's up to you. But family members who feel entitled to participate might also feel entitled to a certain percentage of profit that isn't attainable with your business model.
     
  6. ANTAGONIST

    ANTAGONIST Bobtail Member

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    Gotcha.. thank you for your insight. I will look into that lane and write everything out as if it was a business plan.
     
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  7. skallagrime

    skallagrime Road Train Member

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    If youre looking at growing, you could try to structure it as shares of stock for profit, but single truck operation, youre just giving them money out of your own pocket for no reason

    Alternatively, if theyre willing to be your banker basically and finance your equipment at a better rate than a lending company would, that might not be terrible for both of you (if truck/trailer note is 15% on 100k over 4 years, and they are willing to do it for 8% on 100k for 4 years, you drop payments 145$ a month and they get 8 k instead of some nameless institution... (though having a history with a lending institution has its own bemefits too)

    Only 2 ways that make sense in my mind
     
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  8. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    I’d not recommend it but I don’t like having partners. More headache then it’s worth. Just grow on your own organically and if you aren’t making enough to do that in your own the an influx and money and sharing of profits likely isn’t going to help you anyway.
     
  9. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I’ve had family members mention similar scenarios. There’s no way. They mean well. It’s a Recipe for disaster. If they’re Interested in being a full time partner, and you can work well together, that’s different. Has to be equal though. Win together, Lose together. I’ve seen a lot of Family Operations that works well. Others not so much. Relationships change when money’s involved. I’d just take the offer as a compliment, and decline. I don’t want to be responsible for others losing money because of me, and have no desire to have to explain or answer to anyone.
     
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  10. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    If you value your relationship with them. Then dont get involved with them.
     
  11. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Before you listen to anyone else, you have to answer this question


    Is your company a sole proprietorship or incorporated as a C corp?
     
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