One of the things I love the most about my business is the interesting characters that come through our classes. I get to hear lots of life stories, amazing backgrounds and the unexpected twists along the road of life.
Robert Landaros, Sr from Plainview, Texas graduated from Brooke Transportation Training in February 2020. Robert is multi talented. He owns a bar in Plainview, Texas called Red Door (on facebook as Robert Red Door, Plainview, Texas).
Robert also has a freight background working international freight. So he was juggling his job and his bar when he decides he was ready to take on a new adventure.
He thought through what he would need to do to follow his dream of having his own business in logistics. First step was to take a course that would set him up well and give him the support he would need. He found Brooke Training on Google, read the reviews and enrolled in our Dallas class with his son.
After he graduated, he got his broker’s authority. He was all ready to rock and roll… then the Corona Virus hit. He started calling all the contacts he was sure would give him some loads to move, only to find they were all shut down.
I often say that there will always be work for a freight broker. You just have to work hard, seek out opportunities and ask for advise from someone knowledgeable.
Robert immediately called his instructor at Brooke Training, Vinny, to ask if he had any ideas on how to beat this. “Vinny loves what he does, he wants his students to succeed so he is always available to give advice or talk through issues. He provides the support after the class that is what makes Brooke’s training so great. He told me to call industries that are working hard now like food suppliers and logistics. He told me in colorful language to get up and get going. Vinny put a little fire under me”, Robert said.
That was the push that launched Robert’s logistics business. After some calling and calling and then more calling Robert eventually found a shipper who was willing to let him bid a load. Roberts says, “Well I must have beat everyone’s bid because I got the load. Everything went right and the shipper decided to give me more business.”
The loads Robert is currently moving are Computer servers and wall mounted ATMs from big name manufacturers. Everyone is working from home so Internet servers have got to work. Banks are closed so ATMs are in high demand as well.
Robert told me about a recent contract he got that he hopes to become the main source of his work: Mission Tortilla. They are headquartered close to where Robert lives. He likes to be able to personally meet with them and they like working with a local. He knows the drivers. He is moving truckloads full of flour destined to become tasty tortillas.
I can’t think of anything more challenging that starting a business at the onset of a Pandemic. Robert is an inspiration. He didn’t sit back and have a pity party. He got some advice and a push from a knowledgeable advisor and got his business off to a great start.
Brooke congratulates Robert. We will support him along the way.
If you are ready to start a new adventure and are willing to put in the work, you can be a success in the exciting transportation industry as well.
Moving forward,
Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com
214-206-1169