How do you fleet owners do it??

[davekc]

It is hard sometimes to really give "cookie-cutter" answers because there are alot of variables. Sometimes a phone call minimizes some of that.
Keeping in mind that you are essentially standing in front of the expedite roulette wheel, never bet more than you can afford to lose. Capitalization, management skills, relationship with a carrier/brokers, and that dreaded one "luck" all play a part.

I tend to do things backwards with regards to equipment.
Our greatest asset with regards to expediting has always been the drivers. I can find trucks anywhere.
Keep in mind that a "steering wheel holder" can trash a new truck very quickly. Look at the horror stories peppered through EO is just a sliver of it.
It is that reason I put no stock in a "business plan" per se.
One will find that this is a very reactionary business with too many variables to follow a 10 step program.

There my penny in the pond.

 

[mcavoy33]

If finding an owner minded orientated team is the biggest obstacle. Why not let that be the determining factor in whether you decide to purchase or not. Get out there and start recruiting and if you find a team that you like, move forward with the purchase.

Another thing to keep in mind is your personality and skills. Operating your own truck profitably is a different beast than managing a fleet. The increased costs with the paperwork, are you going to have your accountant get your check, deposit it, do your payroll? Who is going to do it if you are on the road?

Those are increased costs that you probably don't have with running for yourself. What is your temperament like? Are you good at managing people, are you patient? Can you motivate them when they need it, can you get them to see things from a different perspective?

 

[blizzard2014]

You can manage, track, and print out 1099's for you employees on quickbooks pro. it's just an hour or two a week of work. That's not a big deal, but if you aren't a person who likes to do paperwork it can be bothersome. That's the easy part, finding good drivers is the hard part. All it takes is your driver hitting one low bridge and you are out of the game!