Connect with the hosts:

Jake Hirsch: 541-213-1296
Emily Blair: 515-979-4689

Check out Tristan's payroll platform with a contractor AND driver app: https://routepayroll.com/

Tristan Booth was running a FedEx P&D operation in Utah when he bought his first semi truck. Then a second. Then a third. Then a fourth.

After selling the FedEx business, Tristan took those trucks in a completely different direction — leasing them into the crude oil industry. Today, he says the profits from his trucking operation are significantly higher than anything he experienced as a FedEx contractor.

In this episode of RoutCast, we talk with Tristan about how he got started with semi trucks while still operating FedEx routes, what he learned along the way, how the transition into crude oil hauling worked, and what his business looks like after FedEx.

If you're a FedEx Ground contractor thinking about diversification, trucking, additional revenue streams, or eventually building a business outside the FedEx network, Tristan's story offers a real-world look at one path.

2:36 - How Tristan got started in FedEx (and why it was horrible)
6:59 - The business growth and what it took to finally "click"
9:33 - The secret to retention in FedEx
10:51 - How Tristan worked through bad equipment
12:31 - The sale of the FedEx business
13:23 - Adding semi trucks while still running P&D
14:09 - Leasing on to haul crude oil
16:29 - Working a load board and using factoring companies
18:41 - Tristan's recommendation for contractors thinking of putting a semi to work
20:08 - Technology over the years - from delivering with a scanner, to developing his own payroll platform to solve his own biggest issue
24:29 - FedEx vs. Crude Oil margins and revenue
29:16 - Tristan's warning - don't make the same mistake he did!

Contact your hosts:
Jake 541-213-1296
Emily 515-979-4689

Jake's Routestone tools: https://routestonetools.netlify.app

Schedule K is a major topic for FedEx contractors right now. In this episode, Kevin Smithson of Golden Hawk Trucking shares his perspective on Schedule K, the economics of running a FedEx business, labor costs, and finding efficiencies in his operation.

We also talk about large packages, leadership, paying employees well, and how there are many paths to becoming a successful FedEx contractor.

2:28 What is Schedule K?
4:05 The 2026 Schedule K, renegotiation, and why you might not sign
9:14 Kevin's Large Package strategy
11:23 FedEx driver to contractor: Kevin's story
13:17 Growth strategies for CSPs
16:19 Hiring and training strategies
18:06: FedEx fleet strategy
20:06 Driver pay and incentives
23:36 How highly paid drivers pay you back in other ways
25:00 The value of having an on-site mechanic
26:56 Why Kevin prefers the low-tech route
28:16 Managing fleet acquisition and maintenance costs
32:42 Family & FedEx
37:28 The value of learning from other & advice for new contractors

Contact your hosts:
Jake: 541-213-1296
Emily: 515-979-4689

Check out Todd's restaurant - Frontier Food to Go in Wilmington, NC! It was recently named in USA Today as one of the best hot dog spots in America. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/dining/2026/07/15/best-hot-dogs-america/90877641007/

What if your entire financial future didn't depend on FedEx?

Todd Champion bought his first FedEx business 11 years ago and has since built an impressive portfolio of businesses across completely different industries.

But Todd's story isn't just about building more businesses. It's about diversification—and the freedom that comes with it.

In this episode of RoutCast, Todd explains why he believes owning businesses outside of FedEx has actually made running his FedEx operation less stressful. His perspective is simple: if FedEx ever went away, he'd still be OK.

1:42 Todd's path to FedEx ownership
3:14 How working for FedEx directly changed Todd's mindset as an ISP
4:23 Growing from 2 routes to 60
5:37 Becoming a Budget dealer
7:58 Adding a Relay Station and unexpected benefits
10:01 Benefits of owning an oil change business
10:37 Benefits of owning a towing company
11:30 Planning for growth and becoming more efficient
16:36 Managing employees in different industries
17:54 Todd's tech stack
19:01 Maintaining a good safety score as an XL Contractor
20:36 Todd's recommendation - grow in FedEx, or diversify?
22:04 Jumping into the restaurant business
24:52 Using Facebook for hiring
26:26 Providing health benefits
27:23 Hiring great managers
29:29 The entrepreneurial mindset & advice for diversifying

Connect with us:
Jake - 541-213-1296
Emily - 515-979-4689

Check out Jake's FREE dashboard tools for contractors: https://routestonetools.netlify.app/

Most FedEx contractors never think about their exit plan—until they need one. By then, it's too late.

In this episode, Ken Tedford, who spent over 25 years as a FedEx contractor in Michigan, shares why having an exit plan from day one actually makes you a better operator today.

1:36 Advice for contractors prepping for a sale

5:43 When to tell your staff you're selling

8:43 The ideal scenario as a seller

11:17 When seller financing doesn't work out

14:43 Understanding your buyer's financial situation

16:34 Advice on buying and selling fleets

19:32 Dealing with Taxes

21:18 Asset sale vs. stock sale

22:00 What the heck is All Good Kids Love Milk?

23:55 Cultivating a mindset for change

26:55 How the medals system has changed selling

30:04 Using technology to be a better owner

34:06 Selling pre or post 2.0

35:13 AI Dashboards

37:01 Ken's best advice for contractors

Contact Jake: 541-213-1296
Contact Emily: 515-979-4689

Free tools for contractors: https://routestonetools.netlify.app/

What is FedEx saying about the future of 2.0? Greg Schwendeman recently met with FedEx corporate in Pittsburgh and shares his biggest takeaways from those conversations, along with his experience and lessons learned from going 2.0 in his own CSA.

0:43 Introduction to Jake's RouteStone Tools - check them out at https://routestonetools.netlify.app/
1:30 Introduction to Greg Schwendeman
2:34 2.0 Quarterly Connect meeting & Executive Tour Experience
7:46 Time Commits - Challenges and Solutions
8:46 Driver Pay, Bonuses, and Recruiting
11:53 Offering Employee Benefits as a FedEx Contractor
15:39 AVP's
18:12 How drivers are managing Time Commits
20:16 Bulk routes and IC's
23:00 Pre-2.0 Schedule K Incentive
24:30 Questions from Corporate
26:59 Choosing a Staff Mechanic and Shop
29:23 Leasing vs. Owning Trucks
31:52 Routes for Sales & Final Lessons from Greg

Connect with us!

Jake Hirsch - 541-213-1296

Emily Blair - 515-979-4689

Taylor Maness: [email protected]

In this episode, Taylor Maness (owner of Linehaul Summit and Linehaul News) sits down with us to break down the real world operational challenges, financial impacts, and growth strategies modern route owners need to know right now.

Taylor shares his honest experience navigating the early efficiency hits during his 2.0 rollout, how empowering managers created explosive operation growth, and what 2.0 and the recent FedEx Freight spin off might mean for the future of Linehaul contractors. Plus, we dive into his Custom Critical operation and why community events like the Linehaul Summit are crucial for long-term success.

Enjoyed this episode? Please give us a 5-star rating to help other route owners find the channel!

1:57 Effects of 2.0 Transition

5:03 Renegotiation after 2.0 starts

10:17 How to make bulk routes profitable (urban)

12:01 Driver incentives for 2.0

13:51 Tracking fuel efficiency on P&D

16:12 Using Linehaul lessons in P&D

18:04 Getting buy in from your managers and how to recruit

22:31 Managing efficiency metrics

24:14 Effects of 2.0 and FedEx Freight spin off on Linehaul

27:16 Running Custom Critical

30:36 Linehaul Summit and Linehaul News

Connect with us!

Jake (truck sourcing and financing) - 541-213-1296

Emily (used P&D trucks) - 515-979-4689

Ever wondered what it's really like to run both an Amazon DSP and a FedEx CSP simultaneously?

In this episode, we sit down with 40-year logistics veteran Don Carthorn. Don pulls back the curtain on what it takes to operate successfully within both the Amazon and FedEx ecosystems. He shares a deep-dive comparison of the two models, breaking down the unique challenges, investment strategies, and equity-building opportunities each one offers.

Beyond the numbers, Don explains his core philosophy of putting "people over packages" and how focusing on driver demographics, fair pay structures, and employment laws ultimately transforms a delivery business into a vehicle for changing employees' lives. Whether you are an existing route owner looking to optimize or an aspiring entrepreneur weighing your options, Don’s decades of experience offer invaluable insights you can't afford to miss.

00:00 - Introduction

02:15 - 40 Years in Logistics: How Don arrived at Amazon & FedEx

07:30 - FedEx CSP vs. Amazon DSP: The Core Differences

14:45 - The Truth About Building Equity in Delivery Routes

21:10 - Driver Demographics, Pay Structures, & Employment Laws

28:40 - Putting People Over Packages: Leadership Secrets

35:20 - Technology and Route Optimization Tactics

42:00 - Final Advice for Aspiring Logistics Entrepreneurs

Jessica Eastler shares her journey from a W-2 employee to a successful FedEx contractor, discussing the challenges and strategies for maintaining driver morale during change. She also provides valuable insights into financial planning, fleet expansion, and the implementation of Groundswell AI technology to optimize route planning and improve operational efficiency.

Takeaways

• Maintaining driver morale during change
• Transitioning from W-2 employee to FedEx contractor

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Routecast
• 01:19 Transitioning to FedEx Contractor
• 02:38 2.0 Transition
• 17:40 Implementing Groundswell Software
• 25:14 Fleet Maintenance
• 28:15 Driver Communication and Support

Kelsey Turner shares her journey from FedEx driver to becoming an owner of a FedEx entity. She discusses the challenges she faced, how she's preparing for the upcoming transition to 2.0, and the lessons learned. Additionally, Kelsey talks about starting a maintenance business, managing fuel and insurance, and her favorite part of the journey.

Takeaways

• Transition from driver to owner
• Starting a maintenance business
• Learning from other contractors

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Contracting Details
• 05:00 Challenges and Growth
• 12:56 Lessons Learned and Business Expansion
• 20:35 Transition to 2.0 and Business Expansion
• 25:10 Starting a Maintenance Business
• 33:48 Fuel and Insurance Management

In Episode 3 of RoutCast, Jake and Emily talk with FedEx ISP owner, Kamran Taqui. Kamran discusses his approach to changing team culture, optimizing routes through simulation, managing driver pay and workload, building relationships with FedEx, and handling the administrative burden of running multiple entities.

Takeaways

• Culture Change
• Route Optimization Liability control through separate entities
• Fleet management service for mechanics and repairs

Chapters

• 00:00 Culture Change and Team Communication
• 10:06 Driver Pay and Workload Management
• 19:01 Operational Management and Growth
• 24:09 Entity Structure and Liability Control