$125,000 what to do?

A famous quote;

"To make a million dollars in trucking, you need 2 million dollars"

But kidding aside, good luck.

 

I'm not EVEN an O/O, but sure could be . . . got more than that in equity, et al. As ^^^ said, just YUP.
I'd start with ONE unit, and let the profits from THAT rig, buy the next ... two. "if" that happens in a year, good deal, man. I drive for a small-based O/O that's been in ops since the 80's and I see the numbers all across the board. Read some. Load boards. Here/ elsewhere. $2 bux guaranteed? Cool. HOW MANY MILES? how many runs?
Sorry to step on your toes, O/O's. . . . it's not even a leap "i'm" willing to take with more than that available with liquidity.
No disrespect, whatsoever. If it were me; I'd hit it with the first one you mentioned, and roll from there.
And again, KUDOS to you men.

 

Pay off your house first or buy one with cash. My old boss came into some money bought a business and now only has memories. Did not even have a secure home for the wife and kids. Now they are gone too.

 

Poor guy; lost it, huh? I'd buy a beach front condo in Philippines and pay cash. There's my retirement home, just waiting, along with the other ammenities Philippines has to offer.

 

The last thing in the world you need to do is leverage your business from the start. That's a great way to ruin. If I had a nickel for every time somebody told me they had a run lined up for me I could retire.

Hopefully your close friends and family working for you have the exact same business minded go get em attitude that you do towards your business. That's kind of a rare trait in any employee, especially with people close to you, but maybe you hit the lottery with this who knows?

Is there something in the water? What's with all these threads recently from people who are planning to set the world on fire in the trucking industry?

 

Unless you have a mortgage to pay off, invest in oil or better yet natural gas.

 

Just a few things off the top of my head...
First and most important... Treat your business like a business and you'll have a greater chance at being successful.
Not knowing your family, make sure they understand YOUR expectations... If you're mixing family and business, beware...
Starting your own authority... you can do that on your own.
Make sure you have an assistant. It's going to be nearly impossible to keep up with all the paperwork while you drive.
You'll need something to keep track of income and expenses...

 

You use the words 'DROP' and 'PLUNGE'. The best advise I can give is don't do either, better to 'PLAN' and 'EXECUTE'. One truck, one trailer, iron the bugs out and keep most of your capital in the bank. Expand steadily and stick to a plan, a business plan, you have one of those right?

 

125k... I would just buy myself house in a middle of nowhere. Went part -time job in McDonald's and lived happy ever after.
When you will die you will not take any money with you anyway. Work ALL LIFE and then just due in truck ... No thx