Tag: business capacity owners

Road to Success Blog

Tips from a Serial Entrepreneur

The Road to Success® Podcast

Larry Long, nicknamed “The Serial Entrepreneur,” is a Landstar independent BCO and owner of Blue Ribbon Logistics who applied lessons learned from owning successful businesses outside of the trucking industry to growing his business as a fleet owner in the Landstar network.

Long frequently shares his success story with other Landstar truck independent owner-operators, like Chris Polk, who once needed guidance and now is partners with Long at Blue Ribbon Logistics.

“Chris made a very honest post on Facebook about his failures and that it wasn’t Landstar. It wasn’t the end. It wasn’t a rate. It was his lack of being a business person. If he had just put away 15 or 16 cents a mile into a maintenance account, he wouldn’t be out of business right now,” says Long in episode 12 of the The Road to Success podcast.

A few of Long’s tips:

  • Be a problem solver. Successful businesses figure out ways to solve a common problem and make money doing it.
  • Know your numbers. Know how much money it takes to operate your truck and your business.
  • Keep your overhead low. Start with a used truck and maintain your equipment to save money for upgrades down the road.

For more tips from the serial entrepreneur Larry Long and the story of Chris Polk’s U-turn in business, click below to listen to episode 12 of The Road to Success podcast, or watch the video version on Landstar’s official YouTube channel.

Tune into other episodes of The Road to Success® podcast by visiting our podcast channel or subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

Steering Women Toward Their Dreams

Before Landstar owner-operator Deb LaBree embarked on a career in the trucking industry, she enjoyed helping others through her work in cosmetology and sales. LaBree didn’t become a professional truck driver until later in life. While her career took a big turn, her personality stayed the course as she climbed into the driver’s seat.

“There’s no greater feeling than helping people. It’s always been in my nature. I think people reach out to me with questions because I make them feel comfortable,” explains Landstar Business Capacity Owner (BCO) Deb LaBree.

When she became an over-the-road team driver with her husband Del, LaBree says she never imagined her trucking career would take her down the path of advising or coaching other owner-operators. The BCO laughed out loud when asked for a count of the number of drivers she’s mentored over the years.

“I can’t keep track. I just do it. I’ve always liked to help people and encourage them to do well in whatever they are trying to accomplish,” says LaBree, whose official work mentoring women began when she volunteered for the nonprofit organization Women in Trucking (WIT).

A WIT board member and administrator of the organization’s Facebook page, LaBree says she started by mentoring a few women who were new to the trucking industry.

“I’d help them apply for scholarships to help pay for truck driving school. When they finished school, I’d help them apply for their first over-the-road jobs,” says LaBree. “Many of them have become close friends, and some of them even call me ‘Momma Deb.’”

LaBree says she didn’t realize how impactful her advice to fellow drivers was until September 2018 when she was selected to appear on a national network television show during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW).

That week, LaBree traveled to New York City to appear on NBC’s Megyn Kelly Today. LaBree spoke candidly with Kelly about life on the road and being a female owner-operator in the transportation industry. Then, near the end of the segment, Kelly shocked LaBree by presenting her with a $10,000 check from segment sponsor Shell Rotella.

“After that segment aired, I heard from hundreds of professional drivers from coast to coast. Some were Landstar BCOs congratulating me, others were complete strangers who saw the segment and had questions of their own,” says LaBree. “It was incredible to hear from so many people within the industry and to offer them my advice.”

The segment also included a taped interview with one of LaBree’s mentees, Landstar BCO team driver Pam Kays, who spoke to NBC about her relationship with LaBree. Kays had originally contacted LaBree through Facebook four years ago when Kays was a new BCO looking for some advice from someone already leased to Landstar.

“Deb has helped me with paperwork and procedures over the years, anything I’ve needed. She is the kind of person who would literally give you the shirt off her back if you needed it,” explains Kays. “That mentorship has transpired into a true friendship.”

Despite their busy lifestyles, LaBree and Kays still find ways to connect. When they are out on long hauls and in the same area of the country, the two make it a point to meet – even if it’s for a quick hug at a truck stop.

“Through kindness, Del and I have met great people and built some beautiful friendships over the years,” says LaBree. “Everything we do to help our fellow owner-operators, is because we don’t want people go through the same struggles we did when we first started out on the road. Aside from that, it just feels great to help others.”

UltraONE Fuel Incentive for BCOs

Business capacity owners (BCOs) who fuel up at TA Petro Stopping Centers will earn 5x points when using their UltraONE card on diesel fuel purchases from now until December 31, 2017.

*Valid from October 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 for only those UltraONE members who drive for Landstar. UltraONE card must be entered at time of purchase to qualify. UltraONE Platinum members earn 5x points on each gallon for diesel fuel plus one additional UltraONE point for each gallon over 130 in a single gallon fill.

Yokohama Tire Corporation Offers Fall Tire Promotion

Yokohama Tire Corporation is offering Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) a variety of ways to save on tires this fall. Owner operators can take advantage of Yokohama’s autumn promotion until December 31, 2016.

BCOs who purchase 8 premium Yokohama drive tires (703ZL & 709ZL) will receive 2 Yokohama steer tires for only $100 each, plus federal excise tax. BCOs, be sure the qualifying purchases include a complete set of 2 steer and 8 drive tires that all appear on the same Yokohama delivery receipt and are in sets of 10.

Please note additional information:

  • Offer valid October 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016.
  • Taxes and fees are added to the $100 price of Yokohama steer tires.
  • It is the Yokohama dealer’s responsibility to provide proof of sale to receive pricing for the RY617 or 101ZL SPEC 2.
  • Yokohama reserves the right to limit quantities to anyone and may cancel the promotion at any time.
  • Contact LCAPP at 1-800-531-5227 with any additional questions.