Tips for a Wannabe Freight Broker

Ok, here is my deal. I am a college educated individual who has worked in business and client relations. I want to start a freight brokerage. My entire family has done well in the Kansas City area in trucking because of my grandfathers company he built. My uncle has a freight brokerage in SC and does quite well. I want to venture into the realm of freight brokerage because i am an excellent sales/client relations person. But i need the industry know how!! I have thought about bringing my father and uncle both into the business (both are independent truck drivers with tons of contacts) However, how should I get my education? Learn from my uncle, go to a school? get hands on knowledge as I go ? Any tips would be appreciated.

Because my father and uncle, while knowledgeable in the trucking industry, lack the business and sales skills that I posess. They are truck drivers, if they had business sense and sales skills, they probably would not be truck drivers. Why wouldnt I want to be the boss, it is the only real way to financial independence and success. My uncle lives 1200 miles away, and he is not looking for agents.I am bondeable, and I am aware of the costs of forming a brokerage and operating costs, and they are next to nothing. As far as the credit line, I probably could not get one for 100,000 as my credit is not that good. The question is, why would I need one?

ixltraining in Urbana, Ohio said: Why not just go to work for your Uncle?
or your dad ?
why do you have to be the boss?
your leaving something out , what is it ?

This looks like a no brain er . Why start out on your own if your family is already in the business.....Are you bond able ? can you get a 100,000 credit line ? can you pay all your bills plus the business bills for 6 mo.

Most Dad and uncle's are very proud when a son wants to follow in their footsteps ? Why not ask them for help ?

ixltraining in Urbana, Ohio said: Your still better off forming a partnership or spending a few weeks with your uncle.. A lot more to this business than your thinking

With a new MC number and most carrier es will want to see some upfront money before they pull your loads .
you have no credit rating ...or history not to many people will do business with you ...can you offer fuel advance ?

Line of credit .......if you book 10 loads your first day at 1000.00 cash is 10,ooo.oo net to you about 100.00 . your shippers will want 30 days . Trucks pay in 21 ...How are you going to pay them ? What is a shipper does not pay for 90 days ......
Factoring only goes so far than what? What about a freight claim? ....I applaud you for your aggressiveness in wanting your own business ...but slow down ..get your feet wet work as an agent ..learn the business......than start your own .

do not pay for a school !!!!!!! buy a book or two talk to brokers . Be an agent for a year than decide

good advice

Dark Horse in Kansas City, Missouri said: Ok, here is my deal. I am a college educated individual who has worked in business and client relations. I want to start a freight brokerage. My entire family has done well in the Kansas City area in trucking because of my grandfathers company he built. My uncle has a freight brokerage in SC and does quite well. I want to venture into the realm of freight brokerage because i am an excellent sales/client relations person. But i need the industry know how!! I have thought about bringing my father and uncle both into the business (both are independent truck drivers with tons of contacts) However, how should I get my education? Learn from my uncle, go to a school? get hands on knowledge as I go ? Any tips would be appreciated.

become a agent for a freight broker on a part time basis. see if you like it first. if you can sale that is part of it, if you can operate a computer on the internet that is a part of it. the best way to learn it is to talk to customers and truckers and learn from them. be honest with them. make sure your customers pay there bills to your company on time. demand a fair percentage for you from a broker at least 60% on each load or higher.

Dark Horse in Kansas City, Missouri said: Ok, here is my deal. I am a college educated individual who has worked in business and client relations. I want to start a freight brokerage. My entire family has done well in the Kansas City area in trucking because of my grandfathers company he built. My uncle has a freight brokerage in SC and does quite well. I want to venture into the realm of freight brokerage because i am an excellent sales/client relations person. But i need the industry know how!! I have thought about bringing my father and uncle both into the business (both are independent truck drivers with tons of contacts) However, how should I get my education? Learn from my uncle, go to a school? get hands on knowledge as I go ? Any tips would be appreciated.

Your best bet is to get your training, learning through uncle if he is willing to help. I recently spent 2000$ with LoadTraining.com and felt I didn't get the knowledge to being a broker as expected. This was every bit of a sells pitch that left me to search for some training. I am now with a guy who is building his own brokerage and willing to train me plus use all the tools needed to be successful in this business at no cost to me. Anyone choosing to charge you to learn brokering stay away until you find someone who is willing to help you for nothing but to help build there firm. There's way to much money in this industry for everyone to prevent one another from opportunity here. I would like to know some of your selling techniques. Much success to you.
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