We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful EDWARD HOLDER. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with EDWARD below.
EDWARD , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?
When I first started my trucking business, I struggled to find work locally and often parked my truck near my home. One day, I received a notice from the city’s code enforcement saying I couldn’t park in the neighborhood anymore, which prompted me to search for a new parking spot. Eventually, I found a warehouse where other truckers parked their vehicles, and it felt like a good fit.
One day, while picking up my truck to make a delivery, I noticed the check engine light had come on, and I could feel the truck losing power—it wouldn’t go faster than 55 mph. When I arrived at my drop-off location and turned off the truck, I realized that it would barely move, only reaching 5 mph. Panic set in, and I called roadside assistance, but they couldn’t fix the issue on-site, so they towed my truck 10 miles to the nearest shop for $600.
The mechanic inspected the truck and informed me that my DEF tank had been contaminated with diesel fluid, and it would cost $6,000 to replace. At that point, I had only been in business for a month and had just paid my insurance and truck note. Fortunately, I had recently completed a long run and saved about $4,000. I asked the mechanic how diesel could have ended up in my DEF tank, and he explained that someone must have put the wrong fluid in it. When he asked where I parked my truck at night, it hit me—someone was trying to sabotage my efforts and see me fail.
Desperate and stressed, I prayed for a solution, unsure of how I would come up with the additional $2,000 needed for repairs. I reached out to a friend to borrow the money, but he said he couldn’t help. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, that same friend called me a few days later, saying that he had shared my situation with his mom, who wanted to help by lending me the money. I tear up every time I recount this story; I was on the brink of losing everything I had dreamed and prayed for, through no fault of my own. But when God is on your side, a setback can truly become a setup for a comeback.
This all happened in August 2022, and I didn’t get my truck back until the end of September. Over the next four months, I managed to earn $40,000, and by the grace of God, I was able to repay my friend’s mom and express my gratitude for her belief in me when
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello everyone! I’m Edward Holder, an entrepreneur and the CEO of Absolutely Smooth Trucking LLC. My journey into trucking was somewhat unexpected; I initially intended to focus solely on dispatching. However, when my original driver decided to stop driving, I had to quickly adapt and learn the ins and outs of the trucking industry. This experience has been invaluable, as it allows me to better understand the challenges my drivers face and to answer their questions with firsthand knowledge.
I’ve always aspired to own my own business, as I’ve never enjoyed working for others. For much of my life, I felt like I was contributing to the wealth of other companies, and now it’s my turn to create my own success. My company specializes in delivering your favorite products from warehouse to warehouse, and sometimes even directly to residential locations. We also provide cross-country transportation. If you need something moved, just give us a call—we can make it happen!
What sets us apart from larger carriers is our genuine care for every client. While the big companies often overlook individual customers due to their size, we pride ourselves on providing personalized service to each and every
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I first started my trucking business, I struggled to find work locally and often parked my truck near my home. One day, I received a notice from the city’s code enforcement saying I couldn’t park in the neighborhood anymore, which prompted me to search for a new parking spot. Eventually, I found a warehouse where other truckers parked their vehicles, and it felt like a good fit.
One day, while picking up my truck to make a delivery, I noticed the check engine light had come on, and I could feel the truck losing power—it wouldn’t go faster than 55 mph. When I arrived at my drop-off location and turned off the truck, I realized that it would barely move, only reaching 5 mph. Panic set in, and I called roadside assistance, but they couldn’t fix the issue on-site, so they towed my truck 10 miles to the nearest shop for $600.
The mechanic inspected the truck and informed me that my DEF tank had been contaminated with diesel fluid, and it would cost $6,000 to replace. At that point, I had only been in business for a month and had just paid my insurance and truck note. Fortunately, I had recently completed a long run and saved about $4,000. I asked the mechanic how diesel could have ended up in my DEF tank, and he explained that someone must have put the wrong fluid in it. When he asked where I parked my truck at night, it hit me—someone was trying to sabotage my efforts and see me fail.
Desperate and stressed, I prayed for a solution, unsure of how I would come up with the additional $2,000 needed for repairs. I reached out to a friend to borrow the money, but he said he couldn’t help. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, that same friend called me a few days later, saying that he had shared my situation with his mom, who wanted to help by lending me the money. I tear up every time I recount this story; I was on the brink of losing everything I had dreamed and prayed for, through no fault of my own. But when God is on your side, a setback can truly become a setup for a comeback.
This all happened in August 2022, and I didn’t get my truck back until the end of September. Over the next four months, I managed to earn $40,000, and by the grace of God, I was able to repay my friend’s mom and express my gratitude for her belief in me when
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Before venturing into trucking, I ran my own personal training company, where I had about 5 to 10 clients. While things were okay, I often felt that they could be better. I was juggling a demanding 9-to-5 job alongside my personal training business, all while raising three kids aged 18, 5, and 3. Finding balance was a constant struggle, and I realized that something had to change.
I truly enjoyed my personal training business and still have a passion for it, but it became clear that I couldn’t give my full attention to both ventures. After careful consideration, I made the decision to focus on trucking. I believed that once I got everything set up and running smoothly, I could always return to personal training and reconnect with my clients later.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Absolutely_smooth_trucking
- Other: MuscleRightFitness on ig
Image Credits
Edward Holder