Iron Maintenance

I just had a PM completed by Iron Maintenance, check out this time-lapse video I shot. They have 12 locations all across the country, you can find out where all of them are by clicking here. 

Their prices are super competitive and more importantly they are fast. I was in and out in under an hour and that included dropping my trailer and hooking back up. They are going to give Haulin Assets listeners a 15% discount off their already great pricing. To qualify, all you have to do is give Mike a call at 801-678-4749 before the end of June and then have the PM done before the end of 2021. You can get the discount no matter what location you go to.

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Numbers never lie, but this month, I don't think they tell the full story either. So, was April a good month or a bad month? On the surface, it looks like a bad month, but I don't feel like that is really the case. Operationally, it was a good month. We did have a loss, but that loss is all attributed to investing in growth. Craig and I break that down and explain in detail what drove the numbers. This is a really good financial episode to listen to, especially if you ever plan on growing your trucking company.

Here are the numbers for the month.

• Total miles ran – 10,437

In the end Haulin Assets realized a loss of $4,828.77.

Listen to the episode for the details about the loss and we talk about what the numbers would have looked like if the expenses tied to our growth would have been backed out.

After you follow through, follow up. It is always a good idea to maintain regular contact with people you do business with, or want to do business with. You should jump on any chance you have to talk to them. If you committed to do something for them or help them with something, once you have completed that task, follow up with them and let them know it's done. It is a way to casually brag about how well you are taking care of them. Follow up once you have delivered a load, let them know it's done and how everything went.

Click through for the full show notes for this and all past episodes.

For me personally, this is one of the coolest episodes Craig and I have done. We interview Bubba Blackwell, a listener who has taken what he has learned from the podcast and started his own trucking business. When I started this podcast, one of the biggest reasons I did it was to help other people improve their lives by taking the big step into owning their own business. It was really cool to hear how we have been able to be a part of Bubba's journey.

Don't forget you can watch this episode on YouTube.

What To Expect From Episode 76

Talk about a career change, Bubba Blackwell went from an American stunt performer and motorcycle jumping world record holder to an Owner Operator. He is happy with where he is at and excited about where he is headed. Craig and I interview Bubba and talk about his journey and how the Haulin Assets podcast has helped along the way.

There is a lot to learn from Bubba's experience and it is nice to hear from someone else that the jump to being an Owner Operator is something within reach for just about anyone with the guts and determination to give it a try.

Check out some of Bubba Blackwell motorcycle jumps on YouTube or follow him on twitter, @hdjumper.

Click through for the full show notes for this and all past episodes

Check out the YouTube channel

March was Haulin Assets' best month ever. Craig and I will go over what made it such a great month. Also, the annual CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) Roadcheck is coming up May 4-6. We talk about what they are looking for this year and why you might want to not avoid it. You can learn more details by clicking here.

Here are the numbers for the month.

• Total miles ran – 24,488

In the end Haulin Assets realized a profit of $20,350.74.

What really makes this exciting is that we made that large of a profit and we even started paying ourselves some non-driver pay for running the business.

Click through for the full show notes for this and all past episodes

Check out the YouTube channel

I start off this episode talking about a family road trip we took and some adventures we had along the way.

What To Expect From Episode 74

This is another two topic episode.

Topic #1-More about truck #3

Craig and I answer some of the following questions:

• Why a freightliner?

Facing Challenges

Haulin Assets has had its fair share of challenges over the last two years. We are currently facing another one. I talk about some of the lessons I learned from a book I really like called “The Top 10 Distinctions Between Millionaires and the Middle Class” by Keith Cameron Smith and how they help me get through some of the challenges I face as a business owner.

Click through for the full show notes for this and all past episodes

I've been on the road the last couple of weeks. Listen in to hear why I'm back in the truck and how things have been going.

What To Expect From Episode 73

During this episode Craig and I talk all about my first couple of days driving my new truck. It's a 2022 Freightliner Cascadia. Listen to hear about what I like and don't like about it.

I also talk about what is going on with the freight market and how to make the most of it so you are successful now and even more successful in the future.

Impact Tip

Make sure your company is financially ready to hire a driver. Drivers are the most important thing in your business. The correct timing for hiring them is critical. I give my 2 cents about doing it smartly.

As always, for this and all past episodes, click through for the full show notes.

February was a great month and another month with some big changes. Listen to the podcast to hear all about what it going on.

What To Expect From Episode 72

Here are the numbers for the month.

• Total miles ran – 16,320

In the end Haulin Assets realized a profit of $7,713.76.

You might notice that I am no longer including the number of days on the road. That's because with two drivers, and soon to be more, that metric is no longer as meaningful.

Do quarterly draws. Once you are ready to take profit from your company, don’t do it every month. Do it once a quarter. Doing so accomplishes two main objectives. Listen to the episode to hear what they are.

Check out the full show notes and drop a comment at HaulinAssetsLLC.com

John Steinbeck said: "The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense...The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain...All else is supplemental."

What To Expect From Episode 71

I recently stepped into a new role in the Utah Army National Guard and the process I take when I start a new role got me thinking about two things, using your brain and going on the offensive. In this episode Craig and I dive deep into how using your brain and having an offensive mentality can have a positive impact on your business.

Impact Tip

Establish an emergency fund. How much depends on you and your business. I think $10,000 for your first truck is a good start. As you grow you probably don't need as much per truck because the chances of having two trucks needing a major repair at the same time is slim. I explain this concept a little better during the episode, so be sure to listen. 

January was another pretty good month. Mike was on the road more days than ever before, and you can see he was able to get in a pretty good number of miles. Listen to the episode to hear all the details.

What To Expect From Episode 70

Here are the numbers for the month.

• Total miles ran – 12,929

In the end Haulin Assets realized a profit of $6,554.69.

Impact Tip

Be intentional about what you do with your money. Every dollar needs to have a purpose. You have a certain amount of money set aside for fuel, a certain amount for maintenance and repairs, a certain amount you pay your drivers and if you are an O/O, you should pay yourself a certain amount. One of my biggest pet peeves is when business owners use their business as a personal piggy bank. It’s a terrible practice.

There are some exciting changes coming to Haulin Assets.

Check out the full show notes and drop a comment at HaulinAssetsLLC.com

Haulin Assets has been pretty stagnant for the last year. So what is the problem? It's me. With everything I have going on, I just don't have the time, and if I am being honest with myself, the energy to do what it takes to make it grow. There are two common ways to solve that problem. I could hire someone to run and manage the business or I could bring on a partner. We chose the partner route for a lot of different reasons. Listen to the episode to find out why we decided to go the partner route and what the partner we chose brings to the table.

Be careful with merchant cash advances. They can really blow up in your face. They look like a loan, but technically are not a loan so there are not many rules and regulations protecting you. Listen to the end of the episode to learn a little more about them, including how to recognize them.

The FMCSA is proposing a change to the yard move HOS rule. I like the changes and give my opinion at the beginning of the podcast. The comment period ends on February 3, 2021. Go to this link and tell the FMCSA what you think https://beta.regulations.gov/document/FMCSA-2020-0118-0001

Here is the comment I submitted: I think yard moves should be any move on private property that is less than 20 MPH. It would also be fair to include public roads adjacent to private property. It is common to be parked on a public road that is used exclusively for access to a private shipper or receiver as you wait for your turn to be loaded/unloaded. It would be nice to be able to use yard move as you drive from your parking spot to the dock where you will be loaded/unloaded, as long as you can safely maintain a speed less than 20 MPH. The private property would also include truck stops so you can move from the fuel island to a parking spot without using drive time.

Check out the full show notes and drop a comment at HaulinAssetsLLC.com

December was a great way to end a very challenging year; it was one of our best months of the year. Numbers all looked really good and there wasn't much out of the ordinary happening. Listen to the episode to hear all the details.

What To Expect From Episode 68

Here are the numbers for the month.

• Total miles run – 8,719

In the end Haulin Assets realized a profit of $6,040.36.

Impact Tip

Don't use your checking account balance to decide if you’re making money or have money to spend. This is a huge mistake, listen to the episode to find out why and learn more.