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Originally Posted by TotalTrans
1. When you started out in the career, did you get your own authority initially and contract yourself to various carriers, or did you get on board with a company and operate their rigs to get a feel for the industry?
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I can only speak for myself. I don't have an authority, I don't have the discipline to deal with it at this point so I depend on being contracted to a company.
This is the third company I have been contracted to, I learned something important with each of them and contrary to some, moving around does expand your experience and knowledge.
This work has few companies who have their own trucks, so I would not expect one to be hired in. The consensus is to work for an owner which can be a good thing but again look for a company first, then the owner.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TotalTrans
2. Do you have a business plan? If so, has been beneficial to you through your career and could you explain when you used it?
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Yes I have one and yes it has been beneficial at times but some times it has not. I used it to secure funding and to mark the path of progress but outside of that, it has not been effective. See I don't look at this as a mainstay of employment but as a stepping stone to other things so unlike the experts who focus on defining success, ROIs and all that with the emphasis on money and paying things off, I don't look at this as anything more than a means to a goal. I think that makes sense.
The other thing, I recommend is to establish a relationship with a lawyer and an accountant. These two people, if used wisely will help you chart your career and help you with a real exit strategy and if you ever need help will be there for you. I do not recommend a tax preparer but a real CPA (an EA who has experience too will do).