Truck Rental Business

Truck Rental Business Success Stories [2024]

Updated: December 18th, 2024

A truck rental business provides individuals, businesses, and companies with large trucks to haul cargo to specific destinations.

Businesses constantly look for the best ways to reduce operating expenses. One preferred method is hiring trucks instead of buying. This is often the case when the need for a truck is rare such as when moving an office or transporting machinery to a new plant.

You may invest in a box truck and work with a motor vehicle leasing company, or if you have huge capital, buy a fleet of trucks and start a full truck rental company. Market your business to startups and other small-scale businesses that likely need trucking services but do not consider buying an economical way of doing business.

In this list, you'll find real-world truck rental business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a truck rental business that makes money.

1. Sant Lines ($1.2M/year)

Mikael Sant's journey towards founding Sant Lines began with a fortuitous suggestion from a friend while he was working in Texas as a moisture inspector. His friend, who had a family in the trucking industry, recognized Mikael's aptitude for logistics and urged him to explore the field. Intrigued by the potential earnings and steady demand, Mikael returned home and began to research the trucking business extensively, utilizing platforms like YouTube to gather insights and understand the market.

He invested $32,000 in his first truck found on Facebook Marketplace, using his savings accumulated from a landscaping business he'd run since the age of 12. Mikael negotiated diligently to ensure he got a good deal, even bringing his dad along for a second opinion. After his initial purchase, he continuously refined his business plan, including setting aside 20% of his revenue for maintenance and unexpected expenses, informed by ongoing industry research and feedback.

Mikael faced several challenges early on, from dealing with high insurance costs to managing breakdowns and even experiencing theft from a driver. However, he stayed resilient and learned valuable lessons, such as the importance of thorough research, prudent financial management, and the necessity of building a reliable team. His ability to leverage digital platforms for branding and recruitment further strengthened the foundation of Sant Lines.

How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $32K
How many people on the team: 7

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How 19-Year-Old Mikael Sant Built a $1.2M/Year Trucking Empire
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