19 Year-Old Starts a Trucking Business

以下是内容的中文翻译： 这份记录详细描述了米凯尔的创业历程，他是一位19岁的百万富翁，白手起家创建了一家成功的卡车运输公司——Sandlines。这次访谈在米凯尔位于华盛顿州帕斯科的家中进行，揭示了他在卡车运输行业的战略、挑战和愿景。 米凯尔涉足卡车运输行业源于一位德克萨斯州朋友的建议，这位朋友看到了他在物流方面的潜力。他用之前经营景观美化业务积累的储蓄，研究了这个行业，发现了很多机会。他最初的投资是32,000美元购买了一辆卡车，他在家中管理这辆卡车，证明了开设公司并不总是需要实体办公室。这辆最初的卡车现在的价值超过89,000美元。 他目前的车队由五辆卡车组成，还有两辆正在订购中，每辆的成本为200,000美元。米凯尔根据他运输的货物来策略性地选择卡车，主要是冷藏货物（reefer），这是他的优势领域，因为它的盈利能力和在华盛顿的可获得性。他偏爱Freightliner卡车，因为它们的可靠性和容易获得的零件，尤其是那些配备CAT C12发动机的。他还使用一辆F-250用于平板和紧急运输。他建议将总收入的20%用于卡车维护。 一个重要的启动成本是保险，目前四辆卡车和四辆拖车的保险费用每年为100,000美元。其他启动成本，如政府费用，总计约为1,500美元。米凯尔强调了拥有一个月燃料储备的重要性，因为一些公司的付款周期为30-60天。 Sandlines使用Camion，一个运输管理系统（TMS），每月花费100美元，来管理调度和其他物流。米凯尔强调了路边机械师的重要性以及拥有紧急情况下的联系方式，并提到在四月份，他们所有卡车之间发生了16次故障。 米凯尔强调，虽然拥有CDL（商业驾驶执照）对于*经营*一家卡车运输公司来说不是必须的，但它很有用，并且对他来说很重要。他在帕斯科的T Enterprises学习了大约4,500美元后获得了他的CDL。米凯尔去年夏天获得了他的CDL，8月毕业。然而，由于他的年龄，他只能在华盛顿州的州界内驾驶。米凯尔购买的第一辆卡车非常划算；他在市场繁荣时期将价格谈判降至32,000美元。他了解到研究卡车类型、预期用途和价格的重要性。他建议手头备好油、滤清器和绑带，以进行预防性维护。 寻找客户是一个多方面的方法。米凯尔会给需要运输货物的企业打陌生电话，依靠口碑宣传，留下名片，并使用Facebook和Instagram进行拖车和运输业务。他认为TikTok在招聘司机方面发挥了作用，他在那里分享了关于创办和发展卡车运输公司的信息性视频。 米凯尔与俄勒冈州的一家经纪公司保持着密切的关系，持续运输他们的杂货店路线。收入通常在75,000美元到120,000美元之间波动，利润率约为30%。大部分收入都再投资于公司。他的目标是每辆卡车每周至少总收入10,000美元。他会关注面试者是否愿意参加面试，并和他的妻子或孩子一起共进晚餐等个人品质。 为了建立品牌知名度，米凯尔建议设计标识，在卡车上贴上标志，并积极在社交媒体上发帖。燃油卡计划有助于管理燃油成本。 尽管面临着由于年龄原因导致的高额保险报价等挑战，米凯尔通过建立人脉关系并找到愿意与他合作的保险代理人而坚持了下来。他强调雇用至少有两年经验的司机的重要性，并获得多个保险报价。 他最喜欢的运输货物是冷藏货物，这主要是由于其盈利能力以及华盛顿冷藏货物的供应量。虽然他将卡车存放在奥克兰港，这很方便，但他建议存放在封闭的设施中。 米凯尔撰写了一份商业计划，重点关注融资，产生收入的行动方案以及持续盈利的计划。他喜欢旅行，驾驶飞机，以及涉足视频和摄影，以保持工作与生活的平衡。

This transcript details the journey of Mikael, a 19-year-old millionaire who built a successful trucking company, Sandlines, from scratch. The interview, conducted at Mikael's home in Pasco, Washington, uncovers his strategies, challenges, and aspirations in the trucking industry. Mikael's foray into trucking stemmed from a suggestion by a friend in Texas who recognized his potential in logistics. Armed with savings from his previous landscaping business, he researched the industry and found ample opportunities. His initial investment was $32,000 for a single truck, which he managed from his home, proving that a physical office isn't always necessary to start a business. This first truck is now valued at over $89,000. His fleet currently consists of five trucks, with two more on order at a cost of $200,000 each. Mikael strategically chooses trucks based on the freight he hauls, primarily reefer (refrigerated) freight, his niche due to its profitability and availability in Washington. He favors Freightliner trucks for their reliability and readily available parts, particularly those with CAT C12 engines. He also uses an F-250 for flatbed and hotshot hauling. He suggests budgeting 20% of gross revenue for truck maintenance. One of the significant startup costs is insurance, which currently amounts to $100,000 annually for four trucks and four trailers. Other startup costs like government fees can total around $1,500. Mikael emphasizes the importance of having a month's worth of fuel reserves due to payment cycles of 30-60 days with some companies. Sandlines uses Camion, a Transportation Management System (TMS), which costs $100 per month, to manage scheduling and other logistics. Mikael highlights the importance of roadside mechanics and having contact numbers for emergencies, and mentions that in April they had 16 breakdowns between all their trucks. Mikael emphasizes that while a CDL (Commercial Driver's License) isn't necessary to *run* a trucking business, it is useful and has been important for him. He received his after attending T Enterprises in Pasco for about $4,500. Mikael acquired his CDL last summer, graduating in August. However, due to his age he can only drive within the state lines of Washington. Mikael's first truck purchase was a steal; he negotiated the price down to $32,000 when the market was booming. He learned the importance of researching truck types, intended usage, and prices. He recommends keeping oil, filters, and straps on hand for preventative maintenance. Finding customers is a multi-faceted approach. Mikael cold calls businesses that need freight hauled, relies on word-of-mouth, leaves business cards, and uses Facebook and Instagram for towing and hauling. He credits TikTok for driver recruitment, where he shares informative videos on starting and growing a trucking company. Mikael maintains a strong relationship with a brokerage in Oregon, hauling their grocery outlet route consistently. The revenue typically fluctuates between $75,000 to $120,000, with a profit margin of approximately 30%. Most of the revenue gets reinvested into the company. His goal is to gross at least $10,000 per truck per week. He looks for personal qualities such as willingness to do an interview and go to dinner with his wife or kids. To build brand awareness, Mikael recommends getting logos designed, placing signs on trucks, and actively posting on social media. Fuel card programs are beneficial for managing fuel costs. Despite facing challenges like high insurance quotes due to his age, Mikael persevered by networking and finding insurance agents willing to work with him. He stresses the importance of hiring drivers with at least two years of experience and obtaining multiple insurance quotes. His favorite freight to haul is reefer, driven by its profitability and the availability of refrigerated goods in Washington. While he has his trucks stored at Oakland Portport, which is convenient, he recommends storing at an enclosed facility. Mikael wrote a business plan that focused on financing, the plan of attack for generating revenue, and a plan for sustained earnings. He likes to travel, fly his plane, and dabble in videography and photography to maintain a work-life balance.