Please share your business model

Without getting technical at all I would say this, IF you are only looking at doing this part time ( at least that is what I got from your post) you have to remember that your truck/trailer payments, ins. registration fees taxes etc, are all full time propositions.

I do know there are people out there that only run a couple of weeks a month or maybe 9 months out of the year, BUT, in most of the cases I know of, most of these guys/gals have been in this business a long time and have a certain repore with the customers they do business with.

I'm just not sure jumping into it and trying to dictate a part-time work schedule is something that will work?

Maybe I misunderstood you post altogether, how about some more info, do you already have a customer or broker in mind that you are going to work for, or already have some company that will allow you to lease on part time?

Also I would include what type of work are you looking to do, flat, lowboy, Heavy Haul, tanker, dry van, reefer, etc. might make a difference for people trying to give you some insight.

 

There's a wealth of information in two current threads that may enlighten you on many aspects of making that decision. I'll link them below.
It's not a direct answer to your question, but realize that there are no easy quick answers, due to many variables.

In your spare time, start at the beginning and read thru these threads and I'm sure they will help you, in knowing more about all the aspects which you are asking about.

Double Yellow's Company Driver to Independent Thread

The journey begins - purchased a truck.

 

Run like hell. Don't look back and have no regrets about the load you didn't take. Keep your paperwork current and grease your equipment every week. Good luck.

 

I wouldnt classify myself as a success story. I just got my first year under my belt and have learned a lot.

Everyone is different. But from what I have gathered is, those that do well tend to be the guys that stay out and run hard and work hard. Those that need to be home are better suited to being company drivers and working those schedules. Being an O/O does not always afford you the luxury of being home all the time. There are exceptions,.. those that have found a niche or a customer close to home. That is not the norm, and not to be expected.

With a single truck operation, that single truck is the mainstay and money maker. Its not making money unless the wheels are turning. That means getting out there and running loads.

Its tough,.. I miss my wife, friends and hobbies very badly while out on the road. I went this route with the goal of getting several trucks together with drivers so I can stay home and dispatch. I have my first truck and first year down. Still working on getting a suitable driver and second truck. You need to build a realistic business plan and have the fortitude to stick with it. You'd got to run the miles, keep the left door shut, keep your truck in excellent working order, dont do anything that will jeopardize your livelihood, and above all else,.. you cant be lazy.

I hate to say this,. but if you have family 'issues'.. and you need to be home,.. then perhaps this is not the right business for you to be in. There are other ways to make a living. Trucking is not for the faint of heart. I only recently returned to trucking after a 15 year absence. My kids and home life were more important to me. Yes it was rough at first. But like me, you'll manage and learn to survive and make it work.

The hours and time involve with keeping your truck road worthy, healthy and profitable is so time consuming. My kids are now grown, my wife is very understanding. Yet I still get grief from my wife about how much time my truck takes away from our personal life. Even when home,.. its an on going thing. There is always something that needs to be done. Its not like your personal vehicle where you just park it, and it will be fine the next time you jump in and need it. The sheer mileage put on these trucks requires constant maintenance, constant inspecting, going over every little thing before you head back out,.. because its that one little thing you missed that will put you on the side of the road with a load and cost you 10x what it would have to fix it at home. Example,.. simple $12 coolant line that I could have done myself inside of 20 mins. I didnt have any way to do a temp fix or limp it with out hurting my motor. $328.00 and 7 hours later it was fixed. So just because your home as an O/O doesnt mean you wont be working. You have to have the integrity and fortitude to stay the course and do whats needed when it needs to be done. You can not put things off for the sake of your personal life. Thats trucking,.. its ruined as many marriages as there are rookies who want to score big in trucking. Trucking and family life just dont work well together. Not they way I define family life. Thats why I walked away from it years ago. My priorities were with my family. So I fully understand the need for a family life.

My business model is simple. Cash is king. I dont finance anything I dont have to. Put your money away is if your making payments. Dont touch it when it gets thick and juicy. Keep focused and follow the plan. Above all else,.. have patience. Nothing happens over night. It took me 3 years to save for my first truck.

My other business model,.. find the work first,.. the truck second. Buying a truck and trying to find work for it doesnt always work as planned. Find the work,.. a regular paycheck that will keep the money coming,.. might not be big money,.. as long as its steady and will pay the bills. Thats when you buy the truck.

Hurst

 

Pick up load, charge as much as you can with using as little fuel as possible and then deliver said load. Rinse & repeat as necessary.

 

I could share with you everything I have done to make it where I am now. however even if you followed the exact steps I took, your level of success would likely not be the same. my story is on here somewhere. some good planning, some luck, some just personal preference. one of the bigger mistakes I hear from truckers in person over the years is when they start out & do well financially, they soon outspend their income. they feel insecure or ashamed of being frugal & need to upgrade to equipment they soon find they cannot afford. have a lot more to the story, but it's already been told, on here somewhere, at least once by me, the way I saw it. don't have time to retype it. good luck.

 

hhhmmmmm what the heck is a business model? me I just keep stumbling and bumbling along and enjoying almost every minute also if you are afraid of being broke do not enter the fray

 

and if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!