Starting a new Business....

[FinchFan]

Hello All,

My other half is seriously thinking about starting his own transport business. He currently works for a small-ish business as interstate co-ordinator and drives to Sydney from Melbourne ( rarely Brisbane ) weekly, leaving on a Sunday and returning on a Wednesday. He is most happy in this line of work, but.. has enough of working for D*ckheads and bosses who really have no idea how things run outside the office. These are bosses who make sure they leave by 5pm Friday nights while my OH is still there doing run sheets / still organising the load for next week. He is often there until 7 - 8pm at night. This p*sses me off as i really believe the owners should be the last to leave..my opinion anyway...

He has resigned unofficially a few times, the issues usually worked out with a 'meeting' with the two owners/bosses. Things are usually fine for a while...

OH often feels dragged down and has to continually deal face-to-face with customers, being the front runner, and their complaints about management. I should add that the company he works for are furniture specialists ie: office furniture, antiques, and design boutique furniture ( he was carrying a 48,000 dollar desk last week, and a commonwealth bank layout the other. He often carries for David Jones and Parliament in Canberra - gov office layouts etc.
He is very good at what he does, and customers have said that they will give him work, move their custom over to him as the only reason they still go with the transport company is because of HIM....

Anyway, dragging on here a bit -

So.. I am asking other knowledgable forum members where do we start? Theres just so much to think about, contemplate. My best idea is to start with a business advisor. We both have limited business experience. We would need to see a specialist to get the ball rolling. This business wont start to operate overnight, but we both need to start thinking onwards.

Any thoughts and advise will be greatly appreciated!

[gomer]

I used to work in a industry.And delt with truckies all day.When the price of diesel was up a few went under,And the others strugled.I have been out of that for three years now so not sure how its going for them.But if i was earning a good wage driving for someone else,maybe a different company.I would be very carefull about going it alone.Maybe theres money in it now??? Anyhow good luck with whatever you decide.

[E Orix]

As a retired person who has run companies and we still have another run by one of my sons becareful before taking the jump.
There are so many government groups ,departments etc all wanting a slice of the cake you are lucky to have any at the end of the day.
As for making money in the trucking world I can't comment except to say it must be cutthroat.
I pulled an invoice out dated 9/6/10 under 2 weeks old. Some 22 pallets(40' container) from a clearing agent to my town (300km)
Cost $600 plus levy $61.80 plus GST $66.18.
They had to pay the driver,fuel,running costs and truck finance I guess not much at the end for the boss and the tax man.
Tips, budget and make sure you have enough money to back you up for 12 months.
Lack of capitol from the start will always be a massive drag on you and your family.
Running on turnover is why so many companies go down the chute.
Start small and stay small or go very very big(????)it is very hard in the middle running staff costs.
If I was going to buy a truck I would not over capitolise and get a new super deluxe one, borrow as little as possible,get a good used one if possible.
Maybe the next one my be the dream.
If you can specialise your rates should be higher,do your research and ground work well before you take the big step.
If or when it comes off you may feel like I did/do. I would rather work for myself than someone else even if the staff made more money at times than I did
I also dislike public holidays these days.It costs me money without production but in the old days when working for some one they were great.
What ever happens I wish you all the best.

[finchbreeder]

I like having a foot in each camp, running a small part time business while working part time for someone (well several someones) else. This means you are not risking everything, and has worked successfully for me for 15 years now. Don't know about where you are but here we have a small business advisory office, try your local phone book. They are govt run to help see that less small business fail and will work through your business plan with you and advise. Before you start. Starting part time allows you to have a backstop of wages and build up. Problem is conflict of interest so would have to be similar but not the same jobs you do.
LML

[FinchFan]

Thanks for the replies, many of your writings have been my thoughts also. Like ive said, lots of avenues and ideas to think about. Its definately something to work towards, planning on 'small business' and given, a few years down the track, increase the load and productivity, hopefully. I feel safer having the second income if the transport side of life is having a lean week, month, year!

At the end of the day, my OH wants to be his own boss, working for himself, his choices. Nothing flash, a decent truck, an honest days work. Early stages, but lots to look forward to and alot of headaches and planning.

Thanks again for your imput