If you are just starting out or thinking of just starting out, things in general such as expenses will be medium to high in relative cost.  The OO (which we will refer to as Owner Operators), the OO has advantages and disadvantages in relation to national economic norms.  The courier industry as a whole actually thrives in a competitive national market.  As an OO, you are afforded the luxury to choose (in a narrow margin) the type of courier work you wish to perform.  If you look forward to going to work - If you're happy at work, then you're productivity slightly increases, and you're profits slightly increase as well.  Courier work is actually very interesting work, as you will find out.  It's like a triathlon !!!   Walking down long hallways, Climbing over obstacles, Jumping up about four feet in the air to a Loading Dock, Driving your own Vehicle in traffic for a hundred miles, Loading and Unloading your vehicle by hand,  Interacting verbally with people, and Keeping a written or electronic record of jobs that were performed.  There are a dozen different "tasks" a courier will need to perform.  And in the end at the end of the day, if everything is performed correctly, the OO will overwhelmingly succeed.

OO which we will refer to as Owner Operators, are a special breed of person.  Buy the local newspaper or newspapers and see what ads are out there.  Be very careful what you do, ask questions, you must feel comfortable around these people before you start sub-contracting to them.

The Courier Job is a thinking-mans-job.  Physical labor follows what needs to be done.  You should be able to throw a 75 lb. box on your shoulder, and walk with it, maybe, even walk up a few stairs.  The OO must take a step back mentally, and think outside the box (not too far)  but far enough to see themselves as a "workman" and not as "themselves".  Picture this, another you is back at the office but - isn't.  The Boss and the Laborer is you.  Any OO's or want-to-be OO 's  in the field of ICVO have to have the mental evolution to distinguish between the two job titles.  Different job titles have different responsibilities.  Also, additional demands will occur which the OO must contend with in his own way.  No one will be around, and everything rests on your decision. !  The AICVOA has educational programs to assist in the establishment of your delivery business, and what needs to be done to remain prosperous.

If you have a few years of experience as an Independent Courier Van Driver Owner Operator in the United States, then you understand some of the obstacles and pitfalls an OO will encounter along his journey.  Managing your expenses is the primary concern.  New and better methods of managing your expenses must be developed to help-out the OO in all ways.  The AICVOA is will be a leader in establishing the fundamental framework for the ICVO to function.

 

 

BASIC STUFF

Beginners Setup

Top 10 things you need-to-do before your Office set-up is implemented -

1).      Finances -   cash, moolah, denaro ---

Nothing out of your reach, nothing out of the reach of most average middle class citizens.  Some things require cash, however most things can be paid for using a credit card.  Credit cards are bad, because it cost's you money to use them.  Be very careful that you don't bite off more than you can chew.  Cash is needed to purchase money orders, and the money orders themselves cost up to $10 a piece.  Get a small box, a shoe box, put it on a shelf in your home.  Everything you purchase for your courier business, save the receipt, then put it into the shoe box when you get home.  The box does not have to have a lid.  To get your basic "Office" up and running, you need about  $1,500.00 to get the ball rolling.

 

2).      Basic Office Supplies -   go to the stationary store or office supply store ---

First get a few nice pens; black, blue and red (nothing over $5.00), standard size stapler, staples, a couple of small 3x5 memo pads with the spine on top, a black personal brief case, but the small kind, like a lawyer uses (doesn't always have handles) the plastic ones are $10 to $90 dollars, leather are $150 and up.  The soft brief  case is important, because you will carry all your important documents in it, wherever you go.  Business size (#9) envelopes (security printed) not or self sealing, 8 1/2 x 11 manila catalog envelopes, black, blue, red magic markers, (sharpies) also the fatter  permanent markers black, blue, green and red - with the square angled tip, white paper, yellow lined pad, ruler, regular clipboard (not fancy), scotch tape, and a calculator - not a small one but one with large buttons easy to use - (pay cash or credit card) -

 

3).      Your Company Name -   what are you going to call your courier company ---

Think of a name that you want for your business, like "Jimmy's Friendly Delivery Service Inc.".  This is not as easy as it sounds, take your time, write down all of your ideas.  Sleep on it, but come up with one.  Try to be creative, and unique - try to include the word delivery or transport or courier or logistics or small package service - but do not use trucking, or lite trucking, you are not a trucker, don't use the word trucking -

 

4).      Cellular / Land-Line Telephone ---

You will need this to do everything -   There are just a few communication's monopolies in this market, use which ever one you want - this is relatively a new industry, so your judgment is what's best - the company can go out of business or what ever - be prepared to deal with a changing industry and changing regulations - 1000 minutes (9 to 5 mon-fri) a month is ample - (being that you don't have a checking account yet, try to pay this expense with a bank money order, cash is also good, just get a receipt).

 

5).      Your Address -   what address will you be using as a business address ---

This address will be your official address where your business is located.  If you are operating from a residential area, your business is an office, and just an office, not a retail establishment which has people walking-in off the side walk.  There are all sorts of local laws concerning that - but it is your god-given right as an American to have an office in your house, do business from your kitchen table -  A Post Office Box can be used, but, P.O. box's used for advertising are frowned upon, because it appears as if you are hiding something, and your business could be a scam.

 

6).      Parking Spot for Courier Vehicle -   either on your property or in street ---

Parking your vehicle is important - this may be a little pre-mature, but start thinking about it now.  You may not even have a vehicle yet, but you're going to have to park it somewhere eventually.  If you own a house, you're home free.  But if you rent an apartment, the street may be your only hope, at least finding a spot.  An office building should provide spot - legality is a relative issue.  What's legal and illegal?  No court can deprive you from making a living the only way you know how to make a living.  You don't need to act on this now, but you will might eventually -

 

7).      Company Lawyer -   your corporate attorney ---

Find a lawyer, they could be someone you know or not.  It should be someone from your hometown, and who has an office in your hometown or neighborhood.  This lawyer is will represent you when you have business related problem's.  Walk around town, or look in the phone book.  Once you have found one, you will need to register your name, form a corporation, and tell the attorney what your business is about - 

(being that you don't have a checking account yet, try to pay this expense with a bank money order, cash is also good, just get a receipt)

 

8).      Print Business Cards -   go to printer / press or print on home computer ---

Now that your have an official name, address, phone number, it's time to make your business cards.  Also, you must think of a Slogan, this is important and a staple ingredient to having a business.  Know what hours you will want to be open for business.  This program has a business card making ability, so either go to an outside printer / press or use this program or another business card program to get the cards that you want and need. Take a photo of your vehicle, you may also want to come up with an original graphic - your business-card is all about you -  (being that you don't have a checking account yet, try to pay this expense with a bank money order, cash is also good, just get a receipt)

 

9).      Company Accountant -   your corporate accountant ---

Find a Accountant, if you already are using one for your personal taxes, and IRS return, ask them if they can advise you on business matters and preparing a corporate tax return.  If you prepare your own taxes, check and see about 1099 and other form's rules - you are probably going to have to read up on quarterly payments, worker comp insurance for unemployment insurance.  Make sure your accountant fills out all the forms with your company name on it, and its spelled correctly.  Accountants seem to have problems with letters.  Also very important, is the corp code, or fid# or federal tax number.  You need this # to open a company bank account.  Your accountant should get this number, or it will be sent to you in the mail from the government.  As time goes on, try to memorize your federal tax number.  Also, your relationship with your accountant can get strained, if, you expect too much from them.  Being an accountant is a job, money talks and accountants are reluctant to give free advise.  They've been taught how to deal with clients.  They're like a vending machine, you get out of it what you put money in for.  (being that you don't have a checking account yet, try to pay this expense with a bank money order, cash is also good, just get a receipt)

 

10).    Open Bank Account -   go to the bank geographically closest to your front door ---

Now that you have your federal tax id number, you can open an account.  Bring a your current Gas and Electric bill, two forms of id , i.e. drivers license, credit card or passport.  If it's your first business account, you wont have old invoices, but you should have the name of a customer, address, phone number and contact person of your future customer/client.  You may also need 3 personal references, (name address, relationship, phone number, years acquainted) and 3 business references  (name address, relationship, phone number, years acquainted).  Write this data down on a piece of paper before going into the bank. Write down the name address, and phone number of your corporate lawyer, and accountant.  Bring copies (signed) of the past 3 years of your personal tax return's, your letter of incorporation (comes in the mail or your lawyer gives it to you after your corporate lawyer filed/registered your name with the state), your business card, letter from IRS with Federal ID Number on it, and the past 3 months bank statements (checking accounts, savings or ira) of your old bank - same bank, or other types of bank account's.  The old bank statements are very important for establishing credibility with the bank rep you're will be dealing with.  Once you get your account underway, you probably will not make cash deposits over $ 2,500 dollars, most deposits are made in check form. Get a cash access card, or atm card.  You will use this card allot especially when you're on the road.  Have patience with the bank representative, they will ask allot of questions.  Remember, in the back of their mind they think you're a criminal and you want to launder money, they are taught to deal with new customers this way, you have to convince them you are honest, sad but true.  This process at the bank can take an 1 hour or more.

These ten things are a start.  Don't rush, take your time, save -up and have that cash available.  It may take a year to save it, however it  ("it" and "this higher cost") of doing business is a monster (liability/800 pound gorilla)  that the OO has to contend with everyday.  This is a bad imbalance, and creates a state of operation where the OO must be extremely careful, for exactly what he (or she) does - in the operation of his (or her) business...

The AICVOA is dedicated to eradicating inefficiency and unfair and unsafe working conditions for ICVO SPPD service business' in the United States of America.

 

 

 An ICVO at home attempting to do some document filing.