18 Year old looking to become a freight broker

I like your enthusiasm at 18, I would suggest first trying to get a job with a trucking firm to get some inside experience first, will give a better base to work from , its a tough business.

 

It appears most brokers have a strong sales/marketing/customer service background, the logistics knowledge comes later. Also, most CEOs and other top earners come up from the sales branch of the business. Second place background for becoming CEO is accounting/finance, because the numbers don't lie.

If you like talking to people, have an outgoing/positive personality, and don't think in terms of hourly pay and 40 hour weeks, but rather, percentage pay and sales numbers -- go into sales. Any sales job will do for starters.

Good luck!

 

I would highly recommend going to college and getting a degree. At least maybe get some sort of post business education and maybe take a job with a trucking company or intern for a freight brokerage and see what you are comiting to before trying to tackle a business like freight brokerage without any experience. At least maybe try to work for a company who will not make you sign a non-compete clause for a year or so, so you can get a better idea how the industry works. I've seen a lot of friends including myself get into this industry and it sucks you in and after so many years there is no way out unless you are extremely successful at it. But best of luck to you....

 

why would you out if youw were extremely successful at it, I think the easiest way out is to not be successful at it

 

If you're still looking, PM me. I can work with you on some training, maybe let you do some assistant work with me to get a feel for the business. Then, if you like it, I'd suggest school and spending some time with one of the big ones so you can learn what NOT to do, then hitting the agent market. Once established as an agent, get the bond, pay Uncle Sam, and broker away! - Chris

 

it seems like all of you are offering some great information here, i am glad to see this. i look forward to asking questions about the business here

 

the object of any business is to be extremely successful in all areas. Freight Brokering allows a person to work anyplace in the world as most business is over the phone or internet. Right now I am on the Beach in SC with more than 50 getting ready for me tomorrow. When I get to the mountains I will still be able to work during my anniversary. We can only be sucked in if there is money to be made and clearly there is a lot of money to be made in this industry. What is a college education worth these days? Almost zero. The debt that goes with the "education" is tremendous. I would suggest that the young man get educated in several precise areas of logistics and transportaion in general. I suggest he read sales books and find a broker who will give him a shot and start cold calling shippers.

 

the object of any business is to be extremely successful in all areas. Freight Brokering allows a person to work anyplace in the world as most business is over the phone or internet. Right now I am on the Beach in SC with more than 50 loads getting ready for me tomorrow. When I get to the mountains I will still be able to work during my anniversary. We can only be sucked in if there is money to be made and clearly there is a lot of money to be made in this industry. What is a college education worth these days? Almost zero. The debt that goes with the "education" is tremendous. I would suggest that the young man get educated in several precise areas of logistics and transportaion in general. I suggest he read sales books and find a broker who will give him a shot and start cold calling shippers.

 

I believe people who think they can sit on their ### at home in pj's and believe they'll be a successful broker are in for a rude awakening. What you put into the business is what you're going to get out of it.