Owners-operators often start their business with box trucks. Your own business is always exciting. A lot of worries and problems fall on your shoulders. Yes, you can independently control your schedule and earnings, but other issues appear. For example, where to look for fake ID? How to plan a route effectively? How to make invoices? What are the laws and requirements? All this you have to learn. But you can save yourself a lot of hassle with the help of a box truck dispatch services, for example, from this company.
To begin with, we will tell you a little about this business and then decide if you need a dispatcher.
What is box trucking?
If you understand what logistics and cargo delivery by trucks are, then you already understand the principle of operation in this field. There is only one advantage and a significant difference — you will have a little downtime, and you do not need a commercial driver’s license. Why won’t it be simple? Because most of the cargo that needs to be transferred is just suitable for this truck. That is, you will not have a rebound from customers. Your vehicle, you, or the trucker will always be provided with work. This is a very profitable plus that distinguishes this area of cargo transportation. However, for owner-operators, business management begins to resemble juggling. There are too many orders and too little time to organize work.
So, what is a truck? This is a truck with a cuboid trailer that makes up a single unit, not a trailer. They can safely move around the cities due to their small size and on high-speed highways.
How to start a business?
If you are reading this article, then you are either just thinking about starting an activity or have already started transporting cargo. In any case, this list will be very useful to understand the scope of work or to check whether you have done everything correctly.
1. Register a business
First, you need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can register as an individual entrepreneur. If you have big plans, we advise you to establish an LLC. Next, you need to register your business in your state through the official website of your place of residence. The next step will be registration from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCA). Remember that if you are engaged in cargo transportation to other countries, you will need a USDOT number.
2. Create a checking account for the business.
We also recommend getting a business credit card to pay for gasoline and maintenance in the first months of operation. If you are already working and receiving orders from customers, then cooperation with a factoring company will be an excellent solution. How does it work? You transfer all your invoices to a factoring company, and it immediately transfers 97% of the payment to you. The company will send the rest of the interest to you as soon as your client pays the invoice. Why do they do this? By law, you can pay the invoice within 90 days. This means that you can wait very long for your money, and your business needs to live for something.
3. Purchase or rent a truck, pay for insurance
Novice owners-operators prefer rented trucks since it is challenging to get such a lot of money at the start of a business. And this is a reasonable decision. While you are not sure if you will have a successful business, it is better to order a vehicle. You will also need insurance for your truck, for yourself, and for your business.
4. Find your first customers
And this is where you will need the help of the box truck dispatch service.
Why do you need dispatcher services?
Dispatching services of trucks is your opportunity to transfer part of your authority to professionals and quickly achieve success in your own business. Novice owner-operators often have difficulty finding cargo and planning routes. Dispatching services are engaged in this and many other things.
They will help you with planning routes taking into account the laws and requirements. weather and road conditions. Also, dispatchers fully undertake communication with customers and search for potential new customers with profitable cargoes. Dispatchers can also take over the paperwork — drafting reports and sending and receiving invoices.
Dispatchers’ services are especially appreciated, given their ability to solve problems quickly. We all know that there are different situations on the road that can affect the delivery time. Whatever happens, the dispatchers will find a way to solve the problems and deliver the cargo on time. With them, you can not worry that something will happen to a trucker, truck, or cargo on the road. Dispatchers will take care of everything, or at least agree with the client about a delay, without bothering you with these problems.