My husband and I are interested in starting a hot shot business.
Maybe start with a van and transport small items to items which can be held in a van.
What would be need to get started as far as equipment, setting up the business name, and money?
Please help.
We are located in Houston, Texas.
I've head this can be a good business if done correctly.

Thanks for your help,
Mina

Hello Mina:

I just pulled this off the internet:

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Hot-shot work can be a good deal for the conscientious owner-operator. Rates are good and some costs, like fuel, are lower than for most Class 8 operations. A prospective owner-operator needs to make sure his truck is acceptable to the carrier he chooses and to check out his contract very carefully. In this regard, hot-shot is no different than other owner-operator niches. The liabilities and responsibilities are similar.

Hot-shotters I know are doing well. One says he is averaging $1.25 per mile to
The truck. He has plenty of work. As in most lines of work, the operator
Must prove himself -- become a known entity to dispatchers -- before he gets the cream. As for the future, it's hard to say.

A word of caution: If you are new to trucking, be advised that becoming an
Owner-operator as your first experience can be quite a shock in terms of the amount of work, time away from home, managing cash flow and other challenges. An owner-operator needs a support network at home to help with running the business.

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Hope it helps. Your organizational needs will be simple, and you don't need a business name. I would print business cards, and visit the dispatchers EVERY day.

excon