Starting up

[Storz]

I drive a dry van solo OTR for a major truckload company. I'm interested in getting into expediting. I'm single and I don't have anyone I can team with at present, so I would need to run solo. My questions are:

Do many if any expediters run solo?

About how much can you make running a cargo van? I see ads showing $.77/Mi, how many miles do cargo vans typically run in a month?

Can you run a straight truck solo and make very much of a living?

Has anyone out there gotten an SBA loan or a grant to start up?

I'd appreciate any and all info anyone can provide me.

THANKS!

 

[terryandrene]

Welcome to EO:

You and your dry van could handily gross $100K as a solo expediter as many typical tractor drivers do so. Many expediters run solo but there is about 2/3 more money available to the team over the solo operator.

Solo van operators are plentiful in this business and it's difficult to find a company to hire with at any given time. A solo van operator will gross between $40K and $80K depending on the carrier and the drivers home location and the drivers work ethic.

I've never heard of any of us ever getting a grant, unless a little help from a relative. An SBA loan is a very long shot because you are essentially just looking for money to buy a truck. I suspect the SBA might be interested in helping a fleet owner to expand if they have a good track record and a business plan that shows great earning potential. I suspect you'd be better off with a banker who likes your credit rating and one with which you have a good relationship

 

[ATeam]

You may wish to read, "Introduction to Expediting."

Link: http://www.expeditersonline.com/downloads/introduction.pdf