We recently connected with Aaron Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Aaron, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I do find myself happier because now I have full control over my work schedule & my work load, as well as being able to work from remotely anywhere. The only downside to being a business owner as opposed to having a “regular job” is that with a regular 9-5 job, I know when I am clocking in, that my work load and tasks at hand are pretty repetitive, what amount of money I am making an hour, as well as when I am clocking out. Being a business owner, I can “clock in” whenever I want, but there is no telling exactly when I will clock out. I have had some super long days that leave me pulling all-nighters & ending up in line at Starbucks the next day to do it all again. My tasks from day to day are never the same! One day I may have an easy flowing work load with light tasks, the following day I might end up having so many tasks that I am on the constant move all day. So, I would say I find myself happier with the increased freedom & feeling of being my own boss, but at the same time I can find myself stressed out. But that comes with being a business owner. I often question if I should go back to the regular 9-5 and every time I have to kind of snap myself out of it because I’ll think back on how much I disliked my old jobs and wished that one day I would be in the position that I am in today.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Aaron Jackson and I am what my friends have called a “Serial Entrepreneur”. Starting at the young age of 13, I opened my first business (named Aaron’s Italian Ice at the time) where I served New York style authentic homemade Italian Ice. I started real small, almost like kids with lemonade stands do. My very first vendor event was actually at my grandpas church. They were hosting a Spring Festival with carnival games, a dunk tank, and other fun activities! So what better way to introduce my business of serving a cool sweet treat, than on a day where everyone is running around and getting hot from playing all the outdoor carnival games. I had made a great amount of money in a short amount of time. To some people, it probably wouldn’t be considered that much, but to a 13-year old, it was a lot of money! I really worked hard to grow & expand that business because I saw it as a way to make great money while being my own boss. When I got into high school, I expanded into a large sized concession trailer & competed in a Shark Tank event in my hometown. Out of all of the competitors, I was the only one to have a business implemented into the community & beyond the concept stages.
Following my graduation from high school, I had discovered Tapioca & Boba drinks. Instantly fell in love & thought “I can do that!” That’s exactly what I did! I started my own smoothie shop right in my hometown, named “Bubblz Boba: Smoothie Bar”. Here, customers could come in and order fully customizable smoothies to fit their tastes. This storefront took off instantly & I rarely had an empty shop. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I operated the shop for 1 year before having to close my doors, but not without another opportunity around the corner! I had been chosen to be a part of the Disney College Program, which got me in the door with the Walt Disney Parks & Resorts company! For anyone thinking of doing the program…DO IT!!! It is the best program on planet earth!
After the end of my Disney College Program, I went back to running my mobile concession trailer like normal, as I thought of my next business idea! Not long after, I had been casted to play an acting role on Our Kind Of People on FOX. Being filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, this show featured Nadine Ellis, Morris Chestnut, YaYa DaCosta, Lance Gross, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Debbi Morgan, Alana Bright, Kyle Bary, Joe Morton, and countless other talented actors & actresses). This was not something I had done before, but I was very grateful to have been selected to play on all 12 episodes of the season as a recurring actor. Sadly, the show was not renewed for a 2nd season, but that didn’t stop me as I had already brainstormed my next business venture!
Returning home soon after the end of an amazing production, I had launched Pines Aesthetics! This business specialized in making custom decals & apparel for all types of individuals or businesses. No matter if it’s an order of shirts for a family reunion, custom boxes for a group of bridesmaids to put their day-of belongings, or storefront decals, Pines Aestheics can do it all! Thankfully, I have had consistent business & clients, but something was jumping inside me to start another business. That moment, I decided to start “THE BIG ONE”, and no, that wasn’t the business name!
My best friend, Jamel (thank God for him), had been driving semi trucks for about 3 years & told me to look into driving as well. This was not something I had ever looked into before researching that the trucking industry generates some SERIOUS money. I spoke with my parents, who had heard all of my business ideas over the years, that I wanted to go to CDL Truck Driving School! For them, I believe THIS idea of an endeavor gave them a sense of shock, as they hadn’t envisioned me as a truck driver. Neither did I, but they didn’t know that just yet. I enrolled in Roadmaster Drivers School, and began my 5 week long journey of obtaining my Class A CDL. This was a super long time because I lived an hour away from school & class started at 7AM every day, so I had to wake up at 5:30AM to be out of the house by 6AM to make sure I was there on time! Nevertheless, I got my butt out of bed & made that drive every morning (with a can of Red Bull in hand of course). After successfully completing my program & graduating with my credentials, I went out job hunting for companies to drive trucks for. With every new endeavor, we are met with challenges & obstacles. I was having a difficult time finding a company that would hire me due to having a few speeding tickets on my driving record. Did I let that stop me? No! It slowed me down, but I kept at it! After no luck with other companies, I decided to get an LLC and start my own trucking company!
In July of 2022, I launched Carolina Elite Trucking LLC! We are a trucking company providing all individuals and businesses freight & cargo shipping. Whether it be moving pallets of boxes, furniture, perishable foods, or vehicles, we’ve got you covered. This currently is my baby in a way as I am taking all precautions to ensure the smooth development & growth of this company!
Now, you’d think I’d be done, but I am currently working on developing another business that you will just have to follow along on my adventures to find out what it is! I have always had a drive to be my own boss & run an empire of multiple businesses with lots of employees, and I have not slowed down from reaching that ultimate goal! No matter what it is that you may want to start (business, craft, hobby, etc.) go for it! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t, you’re too young/old to, etc. There is always room for you to bring your dream to reality, and the only thing standing between your dream being a dream and a reality is YOU! Make sure to light a fire under yourself to ignite that drive to get up every morning, go out there and hustle, and don’t stop until you’ve reached the finish line. Even when you reach the finish line, keep running, because there’s no telling what may come next after reaching your FIRST goal. Continue to set goals & go after them!
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
WORD OF MOUTH!!! I promise you, word of mouth from one person goes a LONG way! If you secure one customer & they love your work, politely ask them to post about the amazing product or service on social media! Social media is a gold mine for discovering new businesses & creatives! It’s also a great way to network with other likeminded individuals. I have had so many clients & met many of my business friends through referrals from past customers!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I come from a family of school educators, so I was in no means born into money whatsoever. I am not one to let my environment determine what I can do with my future either! To get money to fund my businesses, I would do side jobs like cutting grass for my neighbors, other odd jobs, and selling some personal belongings that I no longer wanted or needed through Facebook Marketplace. I would save that money up & begin purchasing equipment or small items that I would need to get started.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @officialaaronjackson
- Facebook: @CarolinaEliteTruckingLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-jackson-322a96251