We were lucky to catch up with Jason Bauch recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jason, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I believe all great ideas are rooted from something someone saw, read, or heard. This was one of those events, while traveling on business and listening to The Everything Book which outlines how Amazon scaled it really got my brain turning about how I could innovate the transportation industry. Then one day, a week or two later while taking a shower the idea of Luramiles came to me.

I could innovate the transportation industry if I created a system that would offer trucks to shippers like a retail site allowing for more transparent system. I instantly knew this idea was huge so I didn’t hesitate and got out of the shower soaking wet and with shampoo in my hair to write it down on a note pad I had on the night stand.

I then finished my shower and started to figure out who I know that could help make my project come to life. I began to lean into my 20+ years of transportation experience and documented the current process and where all the bottlenecks were.

Then I set out to remove them and what remained was a very streamlined system that offers shippers extremely competitive shipping solutions with all the benefits of working with a broker but for a greatly reduced fee. The average freight broker makes 15% to 23% profit on each load. We are transparent and charge 10% with a cap of $500 per load.

We pre-qualify all the carriers and make sure they remain compliant with all federal laws so shippers are only working with reputable carriers.

We let the carriers set their rates and add our cost to their rate which contradicts how things currently operate. Under the current system, carriers are competing in a very predatory environment and often make poor choices that will eventually put them out of business. I love that we are helping companies make more money and keeping the American Dream alive for so many families.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I got my start in the transportation industry as a truck driver. My driving career came to a halt when I was involved in a head on collision at 45mph when a Ford F150 entered my lane causing the accident. I was moved into the office so I could work as a light duty employee. This is where I learned how to dispatch trucks. I soon took a job as a dispatcher with a different company. I worked there for almost a year until I was terminated the day before my 25th birthday. After being unemployed for about 3 months, I walked into a Pontiac dealership with a friend who wanted to buy a car. The salesman did such a poor job trying to sell us a car that I pulled his boss aside and said “if you were willing to hire that guy to do sales you should let me show you what I can do.” I was hired less than a week later. This is where I received professional sales training for the first time. I loved selling Pontiacs but got an opportunity to get back into freight and that decision would change my life.

This is where I first became aware of what a Freight Brokers was, and became one in 2004. I have taken all the service skills I’ve learned from these various jobs and use them to offer my customer’s an experience that is second to none. This is why I created Luramiles, to automate the successful processes and procedures I have created throughout my career. Luramiles is a company that helps trucking companies scale and gives shippers excellent carrier choices for affordable rates. A strong country needs a strong Transportation Industry and I’m proud of the work we do because it directly affects US businesses and families.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

It’s said that your network is your net worth and I can 100% agree with this wisdom. To do this, I join mentoring groups and other places where decision makers are. I lean into my ability to connect with people and to get referrals. This are the easiest and most effective way to sell.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

This is super easy but it has to be genuine. I like to call my clients on Thursday and Friday to ask them if they have any plans on the weekend and then I follow up with them on Monday and Tuesday to see how it went. By taking an interest and asking questions about my clients, I give them the opportunity to talk about themselves and to be heard. This changes the dynamic of my relationships and makes me less likely to get replaced and more likely to get protected by my clients from outside influences. This is not a sales tactic, I genuinely care and convey it through thoughtful discussions about them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.luramiles.com
• Instagram: jasonpbauch
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.bauch.750
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/personalizedlogisticsolutions/
• Twitter: @jason_bauch

Image Credits

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