One Year of BulkLoads

On Thursday, September 26th @ 11:40 am I received an email with a pdf attachment and check number from a Smart Freight Funding (SFF) billing email address. I had submitted a rate confirmation sheet to a SFF representative approximately two hours earlier. I checked the Smart Freight app verifying the invoice was submitted correctly. Throughout the remainder of the day, I enthusiastically looked to seeing the “Unpaid” status move to the “Paid” status. The next day I called SFF to receive clarity on above mentioned terms and timing. During the call I asked the representative what the significance of the email and pdf attachment I’d received the day prior. She replied “that is your check verifying payment of the invoice”. Oh! I replied and followed up with the question “So, if I go into my account I should…oh wow I see it now. It was deposited yesterday, when I received the email. Cool. Thank you.”

This experience represents a “full circle, roundtrip” from the time I engaged Bulk Loads as a monthly subscriber in September 2023 to receiving payment on an invoice from Bulk Loads strategic alliance partner SFF one year later as Asset-Based Carrier (Looking back at an archived text message I contacted Bulk Loads on October 23, 2019 creating a basic profile. I had not even obtained my CDL as this stage but was interested in being a bulk driver in some capacity).

In September 2023 we purchased the first of 6 monthly subscriptions to become a Pro Member. During this time, I familiarized myself with the expanded tools and options. Additionally, I also studied lanes, commodities being shipped, shippers, and brokers. month subscription. I continued using the load board for obtaining market intel and began contacting brokers for more information on loads, rates, and carrier qualifications. I've gained an abundance of useful information using the load board including:

·      Data—mined and collected historical data of over 250 entries since June 2024 of lanes and revenue per mile statistics direct or indirectly from Bulk Loads.

·      Intel—insight from brokers on lanes are profitable and low capacity; recommendations on leveraging new business; honest feedback about exactly why our company was not selected despite having the lowest quote, etc. 

The load board has been a boon to me. I started completing carrier packets in May of this year. Some of the brokers I registered with also had load boards and I began studying these boards as well.  As of September 28th, I have booked one load; however, “the pump has been well primed” heading into 2025. CREAMAX is registered with 15 freight brokers active in the bulk liquid commodity space and has 2 potential contract opportunities to haul 100,000 gallons of a seasonal commodity within the next three months.

Beyond the load board I have greatly benefitted from Bulk Loads as follows:

2024 BULK FREIGHT CONFERENCE

In April 2024 I participated in the Bulk Freight Conference in Springfield, MO. This was the first professional conference I’ve attended in the transportation industry as a professional commercial driver. The key take aways from the event included:

* Understanding the role of Brokers—Brokers are not the enemy. Brokers serve a vital role in serving the transportation and logistics plans of manufacturers and shippers that often Asset-Based Carriers are unable to fulfill. I learned to view Brokers as a “no cost upfront” marketing and salesforce promoting my business as an Asset-Based Carrier.

* Understanding the term of Asset-Based Carrier—There is value in being an asset-based carrier. The presentation by the shipper highlighted things I have incorporated into my business model.

* Improved understanding of the insurance industry in transportation—My insurance costs for my business increased significantly after obtaining our USDOT number. This was a brief point of discouragement continuing the process of obtaining motor carrier authority prior to attending the conference. The panel discussion helped understand “the why” of increasing insurance costs. I was able to glean some best practices I began incorporating into the business. It was also good to “hear the lens” the insurance industry underwriters work—low risk, manageable risk, predictable, consistent. These are terms we need to consider as business owners.

* Engaged representatives of Smart Freight Funding to begin sign up process for factoring.

* Lastly, the most impactful aspect of the conference that I was not seeking to find but found me was the proliferation of the theme of FAITH & FAMILIES. I left the event full, encouraged, edified by the conversations, acts of kindness, consideration, fellowship, and demonstration of individuals belief in God. Andy Dishner and Sam Kennard of Konexial exemplified this in response to a simple offer to share a ride to the event facility. The three of us ended up engaged in conversations throughout the conference around business, but more importantly the reasons why we do the business—family, honoring God, and leaving a legacy.

BULK LOADS PODCASTS

At the time of the conference my company’s application as an USDOT motor carrier authorization was pending. After the conference I became more confident in our company’s capacity to provide a valuable service to the industry. I set a course to be fully prepared to launch once our operating authority was approved. I also began listening to the Bullkloads podcast more consistently and reviewing past podcasts. I appreciate the breadth and depth of the subject matter offered via the podcasts. Collectively the episodes offer something to everyone involved in transportation and logistics.   To date my top 5 (not necessarily in any order) Bulkloads podcasts are:

https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/podcasts/the-surprising-data-this-professor-has-found-about-bulk-freight-trucking/

https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/podcasts/the-secret-this-cfo-learned-with-prime-and-christensen-that-led-to-explosive-growth-in-trucking/

https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/podcasts/creating-a-successful-lease-purchase-program-for-your-drivers/

https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/podcasts/an-owner-operator-from-a-brokers-prospective/

https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/podcasts/how-tristate-built-their-bulk-trucking-empire-over-50-years--3-generations/

The above mentioned are on repeat cycle for several hours throughout the day especially when I am driving. The repetition helps me retain key points and gain a better understanding of a concept or practice.

Every interaction with Bulk Loads I've had has been positive since 2019. The last year has seemed like a whirlwind, but I appreciate the guidance provided by Buddy and Tanner. I look forward to obtaining insurance through the Bulk Loads network and incorporating the TMS into our operations as we scale larger.

Thank you Bulk Loads

Byam (pronounced Be I am) Alexander, Managing Member of CREAMAX LLC and BLAC CREAM