SPI Logistics CFO James Lemon joins to cut through the noise on agent and brokerage finances in a tough market. We cover the real signals your brokerage is in trouble, what healthy margins look like now, how to set up your money from day one as an agent, and where AI is actually paying off (hint: 42% of SPI invoices now auto-approve without a human).

You’ll learn:
 — The first red flag: carriers calling about late pay—what it really means for your book of business
 — How slipping “days to pay” crushes carrier trust on DAT/Truckstop and pushes you back to the spot market
 — Today’s margin reality (8–30%), why 15–18% is harder, and what to target
 — W2 vs. agent life: taxes, cash-flow risk, and the simple system to avoid the “surprise” tax bill
 — The overlooked first-year expenses (and the bare-minimum tech setup that won’t choke under load)
 — Why a 30–60 day cash cushion matters when customers and vendor onboarding drag
 — AI that’s worth it: document imaging, scheduling, and keeping a human in the loop
 — What shippers now expect: real-time visibility, API/EDI ties, and proof you’re fighting fraud
 — Conferences and ROI: how one five-minute tool can pay for the trip
 — 2026 outlook: why disruption favors prepared agents who keep relationships tight and processes sharp

Feedback? Ideas for a future episode? Shoot us a text here to let us know.

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