Start Your Own Transportation Service. Cheryl Kimball

Transport

Marine Shipping

Medical Transport

Senior Services

Chapter 2

       Is Transportation the Right Business for You?

Test Yourself

Small-Business Personality Traits

Other Things to Consider

The Pressure of Schedules

On the Road Again

All Business Is Local

Your Final Answer

Chapter 3

       Meet Your Mentors

East Coast Equine Transport (www.equine-transport.net)

Seacoast Helicopters (seacoasthelos.com)

Orcas Island Taxi (orcasislantaxi.com)

       Chapter 4

       Transportation Business Basics

       Naming Your Baby

       On a Mission

       Choosing a Business Location

       Business Types

       Sole Proprietor

       General Partnership

       Limited Liability Company

       Corporations

       Licenses and Permits

       Choosing Insurance

       Forms

       Proposals

       Agreements

       Invoices

       Receipts

       Chapter 5

       Market Research for the Transportation Industry

       The Basics of Market Research

       Types of Market Research

       Where to Begin

       Trade Associations

       State of the Industry

       The Details

       Local Market Research

       The Research

       Focus Groups

       What Makes You Stand Out?

       Chapter 6

       Financing and How to Get It

       First Things First

       Don’t Forget Life

       Finding Financing

       Get Your Credit in Shape

       Networking

       Your Business Plan

       The Components of a Successful Business Plan

       Buying Office Equipment and Inventory

       Essential Equipment

       Inventory

       Chapter 7

       Licensing, Regulations, and Maintenance

       Zoning

       Garaging Your Fleet

       Licensing

       Commercial Driver’s License

       Federal Licensing and Regulations

       State Licensing and Regulations

       City Ordinances

       Environmental Laws

       Safety

       Vehicle Maintenance

       Maintenance Supplies

       Chapter 8

       All Things Digital

       Mobile Websites

       Setting Up a Website

       Design

       Website Must-Haves

       The Homepage

       Drilling Down

       The Rest of the Site

       Contacting You from a Website

       Updating

       Marketing Your Website

       Your Website URL

       Keep ’Em Interested

       Choosing a Web Host

       Chapter 9

       Employee Considerations

       Whom to Hire

       Reaching Out to Candidates

       Advertising

       Interviewing

       Interviewing Strategies

       Pay

       Training

       Letting Employees Go

       Seasonal Workers

       Layoffs

       Termination for Reason

       Vendors

       Professional Services

       Chapter 10

       Day-to-Day Finances

       Financial Statements

       Organizing Cash Flow

       Pricing Your Services

       Maintaining Cash Flow

       Break-Even Point

       Taxes

       Deducting Expenses

       Chapter 11

       Making Sure the World Knows You Exist

       The Difference Between Sales and Marketing

       Why Marketing?

       Networking to Business Success

       The Ins and Outs of Advertising

       The Small but Mighty Business Card

       Information Brochures