One of the reasons Diane and I have done very well in the expediting business is that we fully prepared for it before we got in and fully committed to it after. You are talking about doing the same as a solo operator. If you follow through, that can give you huge advantages over others who are not fully prepared and committed.
If your motivation to make a lot of money is real (you feel the burn and want to build meaningful wealth), and if you are patient and disciplined, it can happen. The motivation will keep you focused on that goal, get you out of bed in the morning and affect in a positive way the dozens of little decisions you make every day about how you will spend the next block of time and what you will do with the money you receive in each paycheck. The more clear your money goal is and the more focused you stay on it, the more likely it is that you will achieve what you set out to do.
Now, having said that, let me also say that getting into the expediting business as a solo driver may not be the best way to begin.
On the positive side, you have something going for you in your ability to stay out on the road for long periods of time. If you have just $6,000 to your name, I assume you own few things. Living a property-free life can be a big plus when you live and work on the road. It reduces your expenses and eliminates the need to return home all the time to take care of your stuff.
On the negative side, you also lack experience and a Class A license. For a solo driver, a Class A license can be an especially important asset that opens opportunities that would not be otherwise available.
Also on the negative side is your small financial cushion.
Before you even think about getting into a truck of any kind, you need to search your soul and examine the circumstances and habits that produced the financial situation you are now in.
How did it come to be that you are essentially broke at age 46?
Was it a poor work ethic that kept your income low? Was it the inability to play well with others that kept you jumping from job to job? Was it the lack of self control that prompted you to spend every dime you ever made on whatever tempted you in the moment? Was it an injury or health issue that kept your revenue low? Was it a desire to be loved by others that prompted you to give your money to them? Did you make yourself vulnurable to people who stold your money or cheated you out of it? Was it low self esteem that prompted you to spend money on whatever felt good at the time to make the pain go away? Are you a motor head that never saw a cool car or shiny object you didn't like? Was it one or more divorces that cleaned you out? Is there child support to pay and you keep your income low so as to not pay it? Does a drink in a glass look better to you than cash in your hand? Did you once fancy yourself as a smart deal maker but learn the hard way that others are smarter? Are you a sports enthusiast who loves the rush of the game (or race) more than anything else and will spend every dime you have and most of your free time to keep the rush going (Go Packers!)?
There are a hundreds, and perhaps thousands of reasons people find themselves in mid life with no money. If you are getting ready to make a career change and set a serious financial goal, it is absolutely essential to also figure out why you have no money now. If you do not figure this out, and if you do not change the circumstances and behavior that led to your present financial situation, it is almost certain that you will be in the same situation five years from now.
Once you figure this part out, look again at the opportunities the trucking industry offers, not just in expediting but in company driver positions too. There are opportunities out there that can help you get your Class A license and keep you running well in a company truck while you learn the road, learn more about being self employed at a later date and build your savings.
What type of rig would you want to drive?
