cosgo
12-04-2009, 07:22 PM
Excellant post.... i live to hear people's stories. It makes us who we are.
My gig:
1st generation american, parents were from Italy. All they know how to do is work. This is what I picked up from them.
Went to college for sound engineering (dreamt of engineering live concerts), somehow ended up policing instead. Loved the law life, but while transferring departments I recieved a job offer that I couldnt refuse. Went into the outdoor advertising business. All aspects of it, from office to field work, sales to building billboards, computer programs to crane operating. I branched off on my own and began building my own billboards. First winter came and business was slow (as usual) so I tried figuring out what I could do with the equipment I already owned. Someone mentioned car hauling, and before you know it, I was hauling cars in an old 3/4 ton truck and gooseneck. I made a ton of mistakes, bought all kinds of wrong equipment (mostly becuase i didnt know what it was that i wanted to accomplish) and went terribly into debt. With no money, no credit, and no way to get a loan, i cheated, borrowed, stole, and cut corners any way possible to make it. I tried just about everything, hauling 2 cars, 3 cars, 4 cars, 6 cars, freight, etc, etc.... it wasnt untill a few years into it that I got one steady customer. One turned into many, and ive finally streamlined what it is that I do. Its been about 2 years now that things have been good and busy for me. Steady work (even in a down economy business has grown) and loyal customers. My equipment is finally right for the type of freight I haul, and ive now been able to diversify and get into other business's. July of 09 I opened a rolloff dumpster company and rented my first building (instead of just renting a parking spot) I still work all kinds of hours (never less than 80 in a week) but im finally comfortable and not really worried about how to pay the mortgage!
Recently I picked up a tow truck as it is a natural extension of car hauling. I plan on using it for local runs, police tows, limited repo (for one lot only), and local stuff. We'll see how it goes.
I dont claim to be an expert on anything (except making mistakes... this i am an expert in!), but i have owned and gone through close to a dozen trucks from 3/4 ton to full size semi, and at least 15 different trailers. School of hard knocks has forced me to learn about them. Maybe I can pass on some of my downfalls so that others dont have to pay for the same mistakes.
My gig:
1st generation american, parents were from Italy. All they know how to do is work. This is what I picked up from them.
Went to college for sound engineering (dreamt of engineering live concerts), somehow ended up policing instead. Loved the law life, but while transferring departments I recieved a job offer that I couldnt refuse. Went into the outdoor advertising business. All aspects of it, from office to field work, sales to building billboards, computer programs to crane operating. I branched off on my own and began building my own billboards. First winter came and business was slow (as usual) so I tried figuring out what I could do with the equipment I already owned. Someone mentioned car hauling, and before you know it, I was hauling cars in an old 3/4 ton truck and gooseneck. I made a ton of mistakes, bought all kinds of wrong equipment (mostly becuase i didnt know what it was that i wanted to accomplish) and went terribly into debt. With no money, no credit, and no way to get a loan, i cheated, borrowed, stole, and cut corners any way possible to make it. I tried just about everything, hauling 2 cars, 3 cars, 4 cars, 6 cars, freight, etc, etc.... it wasnt untill a few years into it that I got one steady customer. One turned into many, and ive finally streamlined what it is that I do. Its been about 2 years now that things have been good and busy for me. Steady work (even in a down economy business has grown) and loyal customers. My equipment is finally right for the type of freight I haul, and ive now been able to diversify and get into other business's. July of 09 I opened a rolloff dumpster company and rented my first building (instead of just renting a parking spot) I still work all kinds of hours (never less than 80 in a week) but im finally comfortable and not really worried about how to pay the mortgage!
Recently I picked up a tow truck as it is a natural extension of car hauling. I plan on using it for local runs, police tows, limited repo (for one lot only), and local stuff. We'll see how it goes.
I dont claim to be an expert on anything (except making mistakes... this i am an expert in!), but i have owned and gone through close to a dozen trucks from 3/4 ton to full size semi, and at least 15 different trailers. School of hard knocks has forced me to learn about them. Maybe I can pass on some of my downfalls so that others dont have to pay for the same mistakes.