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What are the key steps in starting your own business?

Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:00 pm
Posted by PapaPogey
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2008
39550 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:00 pm
Lets just say I wanted to start a heavy haul/ logistics company. For those of you with your own business, what is some advice you can give me? Obviously funding is important, so let's ignore that for now.
Posted by jampat
Denham Springs, LA
Member since Jan 2007
11079 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:01 pm to
A hot secretary
Posted by rmnldr
Member since Oct 2013
38249 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:01 pm to
How big are we talking?
Posted by SidewalkDawg
Chair
Member since Nov 2012
9820 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:02 pm to
Step 3 always seems to be lacking in most of the business proposals I've seen.
Posted by Nado Jenkins83
Land of the Free
Member since Nov 2012
59762 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:02 pm to
someone who is underpaid but great employee to run things while you golf and fish is a must.

Posted by mikelbr
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2008
47540 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:02 pm to
quote:

Lets just say I wanted to start a heavy haul/ logistics company.


Someone really good in Logistics. And logistics software. And connections with warehouses all over the area.
Posted by jefforize
Member since Feb 2008
44153 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:03 pm to
form an LLC so when you get sued, they cant touch your personal assets
Posted by Anonymous95
Member since Sep 2014
2078 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:03 pm to
Deduct everything.
Posted by Tyga Woods
South Central Jupiter Island, FL
Member since Sep 2016
30412 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:03 pm to
Decide whether or not you have a competitive advantage. If not, save your money and work for someone else.
This post was edited on 3/28/17 at 2:08 pm
Posted by FloridaMike
Member since Dec 2012
1524 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:04 pm to
You're going to need a frick load of trucks and trailers along with some reliable drivers or you can sub it all out to some random owner operators. Oh yeah, don't forget the insurance policy that'll make your eyes pop out of your head because when (not if) one of your drivers takes out a family, the rest of the family is going to come looking for money that would make an OT-Baller envious.
Posted by Spasweezy
Unfortunately, Louisiana
Member since Jan 2014
6623 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:05 pm to
I think I know you or one of the guys you may be planning this with. Either that, or I know someone that may be a potential future competitor if yours.
Posted by cajunandy
New Orleans
Member since Nov 2015
675 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:07 pm to
"Heavy haul/logistics" assuming you will own trucks then contact the Louisiana Public Service Commission's Transportation Department for a rundown of all the certifications and documentations that you will need. They will probably refer you to the "Louisiana One Stop Truck Center".
Posted by Paul Allen
Montauk, NY
Member since Nov 2007
75279 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:07 pm to
Have the guts to be who you wanna be.

Fake it till you make it.
Posted by Tyga Woods
South Central Jupiter Island, FL
Member since Sep 2016
30412 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:09 pm to
Don't forget to take into account liability, workers comp, and unemployment insurance costs. Given the industry you're in, I would imagine it doesn't come cheap.
This post was edited on 3/28/17 at 2:09 pm
Posted by tigerbutt
Deep South
Member since Jun 2006
24609 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:10 pm to
Logistic companies are very competitive these days. You better have some potential clients already lined up.
Posted by Sao
East Texas Piney Woods
Member since Jun 2009
65974 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:12 pm to

Know your numbers forward and backward. If doing HotShot, calculate every aspect of your overhead/expenses down to the penny to know how your cost per mile stacks up against the price you're charging per mile.

Posted by OweO
Plaquemine, La
Member since Sep 2009
114069 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:13 pm to
The very first thing to do is do your homework and put together a business plan. You want to be aware of as much as possible. Reach out to people who runs a company like the one you want to start. Obviously, you want to reach out to someone from a company you will not be in competition with, but I would say that is the absolute first things to do.
Posted by GeorgeTheGreek
Sparta, Greece
Member since Mar 2008
66505 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 2:24 pm to
1. Have a product people want to buy.

Too many new businesses forget that first step and are done within two years.
Posted by JAB528
The Mexican Ocean
Member since Jun 2012
16870 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 3:12 pm to
Capital, insurance, knowledge of your field, and hard work.

Starting out keep your overhead at minimum.

Networking with people in the same field or people who need what you're providing.
Posted by Tyga Woods
South Central Jupiter Island, FL
Member since Sep 2016
30412 posts
Posted on 3/28/17 at 3:22 pm to
Despite how enticing it may be, do not hire any family members or close friends. It may work for a while but eventually some shite will happen. It's a lot easier to hold a stranger accountable than it is a brother or cousin or childhood bff
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