Hit the ground running with Truck to Success

As the old saying goes, “if you fail to plan, then plan to fail.” This is true for most things in life, including making the transition to being an owner-operator.

To help drivers looking to take that step, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association offers their Truck to Success course. The three-day course is designed for drivers looking to become a leased-on owner-operator or an owner-operator under their own authority.

Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of OOIDA, had more than 22 years of experience as an owner-operator before coming to work at the Association headquarters in 2017. Pugh said that drivers who fail to plan are often setting themselves up for failure down the road.

“Becoming an owner-operator is a big step and is very challenging. Unfortunately, many fail in the first year for various reasons. However, it seems most come down to lack of preparation and knowledge,” he said. “This is why we started this course because we want to see all truckers succeed. Our course will give you the knowledge to make good, solid decisions on if you want to do this in the first place and all you need to know to get started.”

Over the course of three days, participants will receive in-depth guidance from industry experts on a variety of topics, including:

• Developing a business plan
• Equipment purchasing and financing
• Insurance
• Permits and licensing
• Taxes
• Brokers

This year’s course is scheduled for Oct. 25-27 in Blue Springs, Mo. For those who cannot attend in-person, virtual attendance also will be available. The price of admission varies, depending on your method of attendance.

Meshell Barber, co-owner of Independence, Mo.-based Rick Barber Trucking LLC, attended last year’s Truck to Success course. At the time, Barber and her husband had recently purchased a truck and were beginning their journey as owner-operators. She says the knowledge she gained from the course helped prepare her for success.

“It’s not as easy as you think it’s going to be. You think, ‘Oh, being an owner-operator is gonna be super easy, and there’s all this money out there,’ and it’s not,” Barber said. “They really give you the knowledge of what to expect as far as the cost and being prepared for that cost.”

Learning the right tools and being equipped to handle the ups and downs of the industry isn’t just for the rookies. Andrew King, a research analyst with the OOIDA Foundation, says that both new and current owner-operators will find the course beneficial to their businesses.

“Truck to Success is designed to help individuals start off with a strong foundation,” King said. “However, it’s also meant to help those who are already owner-operators so that they can become more successful.”

Both Pugh and King agree that proper planning is the key to making a successful transition to being an owner-operator. When it comes to making decisions – especially when it affects your livelihood – Pugh says you want to be as prepared as possible.

“This is a huge investment and a life change, so it is definitely worth the time and money to come take this course before you take the plunge,” he said. “Experts from both in and out of our office will be there to instruct you on everything from A to Z in starting in the industry. Things to help make you more profitable and successful.”

To register for the upcoming Truck to Success course, visit OOIDA.com/Product/Truck-To-Success. The deadline to register is Oct. 10. Participants who register before Sept. 10 receive a free one-year membership to OOIDA. LL