How do I know demand in my area?

While not the full picture, you could always research load availability vs truck availability on day for your specific area. both outbound and inbound. Then take that info and put it all on a nice looking graph for your banker.

About that dumb part...i wouldn't go that far. How about lacking business education? enroll in a few business management courses at the local community college. Heck they may even be offered online.

 

The biggest problem with intel on freight lanes and research is that we have a hundred or so (I'm not kidding) load boards both private and public with nothing tying them together.

What we need is a real market for loads and tightening of the broker regulations. The market needs to be centralized and the intel from it needs to be accessible to those like you who want to do the research to leverage your capacity.

 

When they start asking you questions like that... Not good for you.

 

Simple.

Take pics of all the grocery isle products, go to Home Depot take pics of all the lumber..show him. All that stuff did not magically appear. A truck/trailer brought it ---> That's demand right there.

Touch his desk, his computer, grab his collar, hook him up on the door, and tell him all that stuff was on a trailer at some point, and it's a gazillion dollar industry, and you want a piece of it.

Heck, google Warren Buffet, and his purchase of Pilot/Flying J. If WB can see the potential, so can you.

 

Like I stated above, when they ask you stupid questions, you are not getting the loan.

 

That's why You bring out the baseball bat...

or

Maybe the banker wants to see how badly you want it...and level of creativity to make your case

 

It's real easy at Landstar.
But for the rest of the world; ask some of the local lizards how business is.