I started my business with this brand new Freightliner FLD 120 . The idea of starting with a new truck was to cut down on the need for using my back up plan.                                                               
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When operating your own business, it’s important to establish a back - up plan or so to speak a plan B in place should things not go as planned.

If you find yourself in a situation where your truck is down for repairs or maintenance then you’ll want a plan B. Arrangements should be made prior so that things will run smoothly if you should find yourself in a bind. You can make a call to a major leasing company in order to obtain a truck anywhere in the country. This is important for two reasons… you can keep money coming in and you’re able to still service your customers. Remember that while you’re down, the competition can get a leg up.

When dealing with your customers, you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket. Working with various companies offers you flexibility if needed. You never know when a customer on your “A” list will go out of business or the circumstances of their operations can change quickly. Having a good relationship with other customers allows for you to make changes if needed in your business.

If you should become ill, need surgery or are in an accident, it helps to have other drivers available should you need to get a load to a particular destination. This can be a retired driver that you know who may want to drive. Also, there are driver services which essentially rent you a driver for a period of time. Once again this is important to keep money rolling in and also take care of your customers.

It’s important to always keep a cash reserve for the “rainy days” as they will come. Check with your bank to set up a business line of credit so that if you need extra funding for a particular circumstance, you’ll have it available to you. You don’t want to go out of business just because you encounter a bad month.

Let’s hope you never need to use plan “B” however it’s important to have an established back up plan in place for every day is not a sunny day in business. The time to think of a back - up plan isn’t during the storm.

Comments (6)

Henry Albert

Henry Albert is the owner of Albert Transport, Inc., based in Statesville, NC. Before participating in the "Slice of Life" program, Albert drove a 2001 Freightliner Century Class S/Tâ„¢, and will use his Cascadia for general freight and a dry van trailer. Albert, who has been a trucker since 1983, was recognized by Overdrive as its 2007 Trucker of the Year.

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February 27, 2013

 
 

Very nice article Henry. My primary operation depends on less than normal winter precipitation and hot dry summer weather, well basically mother nature. Since I don't depend on this for my everyday income my backup plan is different than most. It consists of a healthy reserve in the bank from year to year to cover all my fixed expenses in case we have a slow year, which has happened a couple times in the past 10 years. If this operation was my primary means of income my backup plan would have to be very different.

Your article has great information in which everyone should pay attention.

September 30, 2014 18:26:40 PM

Wonderful advice $$👤

September 28, 2014 20:41:57 PM

Good Article. I normally plan dental, doctor appointment for when I know I will be home and not on the road. Having some back up plans could just save your bacon and your re*****tion as a driver. Thanks

September 28, 2014 15:03:05 PM

Backup Plans?? Beep ,beep, beep most always is followed by Bleep, Bleep, Bleep, Bleep. One thing when in a "Specialized" truck such as I run, you just can't find these from any leasing company. Most generally a downtime addition to your Insurance should cover most of these daily expenses up too a 30 day period. If you are not the adverse party in an accident please know the difference between net income and net "Operating Income" Cover all of your bases and your Fixed expenses will thank you !!!

September 28, 2014 13:01:58 PM

As an owner operator leased to a carrier our risks are different but we also have a back up plan. I am very conservative and as such I have a back up plan that changes often depending where we are in our lives. The backup plan is not the same as it was even five years ago.

September 28, 2014 12:47:27 PM

As an owner operator my risks are more limited. There still are risks. I have (after I got going on a shoestring) established a rainy day fund. In the recession, I used up the fund. I was able to keep my head above water because of the rainy day fund and decent debt management.

September 28, 2014 5:12:42 AM