Week in a life: building a startup Logistics · Storage · Packaging business

Introduction

What a week it has been! I’m on an incredible journey of building my own logistics, storage, and packaging business, and every day is filled with new challenges and excitement.

Monday Madness

At the start of the week, I encountered a little mishap with my camera while filming the delivery. Unfortunately, the camera slipped, and the back camera fell off. This week, I need to grab some super glue to fix it because it just won’t stick to the metal on its own. I’m all about making content and capturing moments, so getting that camera fixed is a priority.

Despite this minor setback, I’m thrilled to have Rob come on board to help build the business. He brings a unique skill set that complements mine perfectly. While there’s going to be a financial hit initially, I believe this investment in human resources will pay off in the long run. Having Rob’s help allows me to focus better on teaching, learning, and refining our processes.

Mid-Week Developments

Tuesday rolled in, and it became quite evident why I’ve been cautious about covering too many miles in the van alone. It’s pretty limiting when you’re the only one on the road, and my weekly capacity is restricted to what I can handle alone. Luckily, with Rob’s support, I can delegate tasks and not worry about everything falling apart without me.

During a productive meeting in Starbucks, I introduced Rob to Notion, my go-to CRM system. It’s a fantastic platform for discussing ideas and keeping track of project statuses, from logo design to website development. Although I haven’t used it in a while, I’m excited to re-engage and make the most of it again.

Week Overview

As the week progressed, it became increasingly apparent that earnings were low, partly due to the school holidays. I recognized the importance of building a solid foundation for our business, which is why I have spent more time developing strategies than being on the road. This week was a balancing act of preparing for the future while dealing with immediate financial realities.

By the end of the week, things took a turn. A last-minute job popped up, and I diligently bid for it. This job took me from Cambridge all the way to Warrington. I was pleasantly surprised by how many opportunities emerged in a short span. It reminded me of the unpredictability of this industry and the importance of adaptability.

Financial Recap

As I reviewed the numbers, we drove a total of 884 miles for the week, with 352 dead miles. Our total earnings were at a modest £485, barely recovering from a slow Friday. Broken down, that's 54 pence per mile, which reflects the challenges faced when opportunities dry up.

I shared my thoughts on average expenses, indicating that the van costs roughly £730-750 monthly to run. It’s imperative for owners in this space to focus on reducing wastage and acquire clients to ensure sustainability in this unpredictable market.

Closing Thoughts

Every aspect of this journey is a learning experience, and I constantly strive to find better ways to operate and improve service delivery in our logistics business.

Keyword

Logistics, Startup, Business, Delivery, Earnings, Innovation, Notion, Teamwork, Market Challenges, Freelance, Efficiency.

FAQ

What is the primary focus of your business?
Our startup focuses on logistics, storage, and packaging services.

Why is monitoring expenses important in the logistics sector?
Monitoring expenses helps ensure profitability and sustainability in a competitive and unpredictable market.

How do you plan to scale your business?
By investing in skilled team members and leveraging technology to streamline processes.

What tools are you using to manage projects?
We utilize Notion as our CRM system to keep track of projects and facilitate communication within the team.

What challenges are you currently facing in your business?
Low earnings, especially surrounding school holiday seasons, and the need to adapt quickly to changing opportunities.