I is free!

Well, almost. This friday marks a full year I have been with this company and an end to the indentured servitude. My contract has been fulfilled and my monetary debt has been paid. Man it's a good feeling. It's amazing how little I knew a year ago, how much I know now, and how much I have yet to learn. I have spent this year learning everything I can about the trucking industry laws and regulations as well as logistics. Now it's time to embark on my next adventure and go out on my own. I've invested a great amount of time and money learning everything I can about successfully running my own truck. I am not a person who is happy beating the drum, I want to wave the stick as well. Huge thanks to everyone here who got me started as well as the guys on the experienced, o/o, and flatbed forums. I am sure I will be leaning on you all more in the upcoming year(s), and hopefully be able to contribute something myself.

I'm excited and a little scared going out on my own but I'm confident I can succeed. Besides I have the best motivation in the world, an ex who said I wouldn't amount to anything after I left her. Muahahaha (that's my evil laugh).

 

lol, no my 1 year mark is in 2 days. I go on hometime next week then I'm gonna give my 2 week notice. I want an amicable separation as I have no hard feelings towards the company. I'm just not happy as am employee. Was my own boss for too long before I started driving.

 

I will be starting leased on to a company and they only require 1 year verifiable. They also do not use qualcom or elogs, I can get my own loads from anywhere not just from them (they obviously get a % of the linehaul for any loads I haul). I got an itemized list of all my fixed expenses along with fuel cost estimates so I could set up a business plan and know what I need to make on a mileage and per haul basis to be profitable. My plan is to have the truck paid off in 2 years with a maintenance fund of $15k-$20. Then once the truck is paid off Looking into buying my own trailer. I'll basically be taking home less than I am now as a company driver for those 2 years once expenses and taxes are taken out but my goal is to own the truck with enough $ set aside to maintain it at my 2 year mark. Then from there I have the option of trying for my own authority or staying leased onto a carrier. It will depend on the relationships I can build in those 2 years. If I feel I would have a reliable enough customer base of brokers and/or shippers to keep me running who knows.

Yes digger has been doing his homework. But good looking out there on the insurance tip. Thanks.