Independent Henry Albert has at least two signs that he’s doing something right: steady customers and a home approaching a half-million dollars in value. Before he started on the started on the 10-year path that brought him to this point, and led to his being named Overdrive’s 2007 Trucker of the Year, he was smart enough to know what he didn’t know.
He sought the counsel of the U.S. Small Business Administration. He budgeted conservatively. He spent lots of time with his wife, Karen, prospecting for clients. Only then did he buy a truck.
Albert maintained that same patient, methodical approach as he and Karen built the business. He hauled general freight before slowly taking on higher-dollar loads. He began wearing a tie and business shirt, knowing the professional appearance would yield dividends of respect and good rates down the road.
He also has practices that have immediate payback: idling rarely, analyzing oil every 15,000 miles and spec’ing equipment that saves fuel and extends tire life.
Albert has earned the luxury of farming out oil changes to truck stops and other maintenance to a shop so he can focus on business and enjoy weekends with Karen and their son.
Perhaps that freedom and personal balance, more than anything, are the true marks of success – and we salute our 2007 Trucker of the Year for showing how to achieve it in style.
–Brad Holthaus, Publisher
