I love My Mom!

Mom's are the best.  My mom is my best friend.  I have a great attitude in life because she has a great attitude about life.  Not because she has had an easy life but because she looks for the good in every day and in everyone.  She is in her 80s now and so full of thankfulness for all she has in life.  She grew up in an orphanage, has lived a simple but full life.  She met my dad in that orphanage.  They were "throw away" children yet grew into incredibly valuable people.  I owe my life to them, in more ways than one.  I asked my mom to make a list of her thankfulness.  This is what she typed up on her laptop (she is a high tech great granny):

Things I am thankful for:

Thankful for God allowing me another day
Thankful for God's love
Thankful for Christ Jesus who died for me
Thankful for being able to pray
Thankful for God's beautiful earth
   for the birds that sing, trees, flowers, rain and for the sunshine
Thankful for my beloved husband
Thankful for a cool house in the summer and warm in the winter
Thankful for my wonderful children, all my grandchildren, and great grandchildren
Thankful for my church family
Thankful for the food we have
Thankful for my friends
Thankful for my neighbor Joe and his family
Thankful for my eyes able to read and study God's word and see God's beautiful world
Thankful for my ears so I can hear the bird's singing
Thankful for our car (which our son gave us)
Thankful for my bed to sleep in
Thankful for all my aches and pains (I know others are a lot worse off)
Thankful for the night's rest
Thankful for our country, may we always live in freedom

(I have posted this list before but I think it is worth repeating.)

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and to mom's everywhere.  They are the heart of our nation.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com
214-206-1169

The American Dream

Recent Brooke Training Graduating Class

Krish Dhanam was our honored guest speaker at a recent Freight Broker Training course.  Krish is a transplant from India.  He came to America with nothing. He now is a highly successful and popular motivational speaker, trained by Zig Ziglar.  He values his family over work yet he has been a very successful businessman. He's living the American dream. He is very thankful for the opportunity he found to put in the work and find success.  He tells of his challenging move to America and finding his way to success in, An American Dream with an Indian Heart. 

I am thankful that I met Krish years ago and we became friends. We at Brooke are honored when he comes and shares with our class. We have many transplants from other countries in America.  I find their stories amazing and inspirational.  They leave the known for the unknown in their journey to this land, unsure of their future yet they take that bold step. We live in a great county, not perfect, but great.  A great key to finding success and enjoying life, is thankfulness for what you have and for your capacity to improve.

At our school we teach a proven process for success as a freight broker, but the lessons our instructors impart have relevance in all of life.  Come join us for life lessons and learn the hows of freight brokering in the process.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com
214-206-1169

Be Your Own Boss

Have you ever thought about being your own boss? As your own boss you can work hard and be a great success but it is all up to you.  As your own boss you can set yourself up for success by planning, training and finding mentors.

A freight broker and freight broker agent are their own boss.  Similar to a real estate agent, they can work as an independent or under a larger agency. I strongly recommend starting as a freight broker agent.  As an agent you are your own boss with a great support system in the brokerage you work through.   Most people choose to start in the freight brokering business as an agent working under the umbrella of a brokerage firm that is bonded and has brokerage authority.  A freight broker agent has less upfront costs that an independent freight broker.  As an agent you do not need a license or a bond.

What are the costs and additional requirements to be a broker or an agent?

TRAINING
I highly recommend training as the first requirement, your first expenditure.  Professionals who take advantage of training, start their career way ahead of those who try to figure it out on their own.  Brooke Transportation Training Solutions would love the opportunity to train you as a freight broker.

Complete training before you spend money on these other things because in training you will figure out your specific needs.

HOME OFFICE

Besides training, a freight broker agent will need to set up a home office with a computer with two screens, a 4 in 1 printer/scanner/fax/copier machine, a desk, chair, file cabinet and office supplies.

PHONE

A freight broker spends a lot of time on the phone.  So a great phone with a headset, unlimited long distance and high speed internet is essential.  I do a lot of business in my truck equipped with bluetooth handsfree phone service.

SOFTWARE

The software available to help in the workings of a freight broker is continually improving.  Subscriptions to software can cost $30 to $150 per month depending on how many services you choose to utilize.  Transportation Managment Software (TMS) and Loadboard software are essentials.

BROKER FEES

Some brokers (but not the majority) charge fees to the agent as a part of their internal business model for such things as marketing, advertising, training and usage of their systems.

LEGAL FEES

If you are going to be a broker you will need to choose a name for your logistics company then set up the legal structure of the company (such as a SCorp, LLC, or other) Your accountant or attorney can advise you on the best choice for your situation.  Fees are set by the professional you select.

BROKERAGE AUTHORITY

File for your brokerage authority with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety (FMCS).  The
Administration filing fee is $300. OP-1 form.  Once you've obtained your registration you'll file a biennial update form MC-150 (no cost).

PROCESS AGENT

One time fee usually $45 to $60.  Submit Form BOC-3 to the FMCS

BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Register your business through the Unified Carrier Registration system.  Current fee is $76 for brokers.

SURETY BOND

Brokers are required to obtain a surety bond or trust fund in the amount of $75,000. Ranges for the broker bond are generally $750 to $9000 depending on your credit situation.The bond is issued by an insurance company that offers freight broker bonds.  The trust fund is generally around $1500 per year and also requires collateral with a bank.

LOCAL REQUIREMENTS

Check with your state for particular requirements to operate a business in that state.

Does being your own boss in the exciting world of transportation peak your interest??

Give me a call.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
214-206-1169
www.brooketraining.com

Let Freedom Ring

Most of us will enjoy freedom from our regular routine for a few days in celebration of the fourth of July...our Independence Day...our time to remember the sacrifice and bravery it took for our forefathers to declare independence and establish a new nation. The history of the United States journey to Independence is a fascinating story.  We live in freedom every day without a thought about what our freedom cost.

The day in 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. Independence Day is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject to the monarch of Britain and were now united, free, and independent states. Wikipedia

I have the privilege of meeting many who have served in the military.  We are the only freight broker training course approved to trained Chapter 31 disabled vets as freight brokers and freight broker agents.  (Click the link to learn more about Chapter 31)

These men and women sacrificed much to make sure our country stays free.  They fight for the oppressed.  They are peacemakers throughout the world.

Some veterans that I talk with every day, come to our training courses some do not, but I always enjoy talking with them and hearing of their stories.  

Are you a veteran?  THANK YOU for serving.  Give me a call, I'd be proud to know your story. 

Jeff Roach
817-897-0681

www.brooketraining.com

Chapter 31 Qualified

Brooke Transportation Training is the only school in the nation qualified under the "Chapter 31" program to train disabled veterans to become freight brokers, at no cost to the vet. We work with you through your counselor to get you trained and equipped to be a freight broker or a freight broker agent.  In a month's time you can be trained and ready to start this exciting career.

A freight broker is an ideal job for a disabled vet.  A freight broker is skilled in matching freight loads with carriers to move those loads to the intended destination.  Since the job is done by phone and computer, a freight broker can easily make a great income from the comfort of their home.  Family members can help in the job.  In fact we often train a husband and wife at the same time so they both have the needed skills for success.

We would be honored to train you in one of our upcoming training courses.

Thank you to all our veterans.  Thank you for sacrificing your time and talents in service to our country.  Thank you for protecting the unique freedoms we have in the United States of America. Thank you to your families as well. They have made great sacrifices as well.

Any questions?  Give me a call.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining. com
214-206-1169

Phenomenal Training

A recent student of our Freight Broker Training course taught by Susie Moore left this comment on our facebook page:

My experience with Brooke Training was phenomenal. Mrs. Susie Moore is the BEST!! She was informative, she took her time to make sure everybody understood and the spirit she brought to the class everyday kept me alert!!! I learned so much about the trucking business I never knew before. Thank you for the experience.

We really are honored to teach freight broker training to leaders of the future.  These students come in eager to learn and eager to work hard and have a career with great earning potential.

Come join us for a week of training in the exciting world of transportation.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach

www.brooketraining.com

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day to reflect on the sacrifice that so many have made for freedom. I am so thankful for those in my family that have served in the military.  I don't have anyone in my close family that gave their life serving but many who sacrificed a lot to go defend our country in a foreign land. I am very thankful for that.  I will take time out of my day to express my gratitude. I challenge all of my readers to do the same.

Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day because it was a day set aside to adorn graves of fallen soldiers with   flowers. I was wondering how many graves we should be adorning this Memorial Day.

I found an article from the Los Angeles Times that gave the actual number of soldiers who died in the wars of our land:

4,435 in The American Revolution (1775-17830)
2,260  in the War of 1812 (1812-1815)
1,000 in the Indian Wars (1817-1898)
1,733 in the Mexican- American War (1846-1848)
140,414 Union Soldiers in Civil War
74,524 Confederate Soldiers in Civil War
384 Spanish-American War
53,402 World War I (1917-1918)
291,557 World War II (1941-1945)
33,739 Korean War (1950-1953)
47,434 Vietnam War (1964-1975)
148 Persian Gulf War (Desert Shield/Desert Storm) (1990-1991)
6,915 Global War on Terrorism (2001- present)

As you enjoy a day off grilling burgers with friends and family, take time to remember those who gave the ultimate price in the protection of the freedom we all enjoy in the United States.

Because Brooke Transportation Training is certified to train disabled vets for a new career, I am privileged to get to meet many vets.  I thank you for your service, I am honored to get to be a part of your future and I wish you much success and blessing in appreciation for your service.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketransportationtraining.com
214-206-1169