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Every successful football team starts with a gameplan. Coaches spend hours studying the field, preparing for different situations, and putting the right people in the right positions. But even the best players can struggle if they step onto the field without a clear understanding of what they’re trying to accomplish.

The same is true for anyone looking to build a successful trucking business.

For owner-operators, getting behind the wheel is only part of the job. Running a business requires planning, preparation, and a willingness to make decisions that support long-term goals. During a recent episode of the Success in Trucking Podcast, host Greg Thompson sat down with Colton Lawrence, also known as the Trucker CFO, to discuss what it takes to lay the foundation for a successful trucking business. From preparing for tax season to building a team of trusted professionals, their conversation offered a reminder that success starts long before game day.

Before You Take the Field, Create a Gameplan

One of Colton’s key points is that becoming a successful business owner requires a shift in perspective. It’s not enough to think like a driver. You have to start thinking like a business owner.

That means looking beyond the next load or the next settlement and considering how today’s decisions affect your business down the road. Without a plan, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of trucking and lose sight of where you want to go.

Think of it like a football team that focuses only on the next play without considering the rest of the game. Every play might look fine on its own, but without a larger strategy, the team can quickly find itself working hard without making meaningful progress.

For an owner-operator, a gameplan starts with asking a few important questions. Where do you want your business to be in five years? Do you want to grow your fleet, or are you happy operating a single truck? What will you do when your truck is paid off or your lease-purchase agreement comes to an end?

There isn’t one right answer. The important thing is to have an answer that helps guide your decisions.

Build Good Habits Before They Become Urgent

Good teams don’t wait until the fourth quarter to start preparing. They build habits throughout the season, and trucking businesses should take the same approach.

Tax preparation is a good example. As Colton and Greg discuss on the podcast, waiting until the end of the year to organize receipts, review settlements, and figure out what you owe can turn a manageable task into a major headache.

Keeping accurate records throughout the year makes tax filing for truckers much more straightforward. It also helps you understand how your business is performing and prepare for upcoming expenses.

Taxes for owner-operators require more than simply gathering paperwork once a year. Staying on top of quarterly taxes, meeting payment deadlines, and planning ahead can help you avoid unnecessary penalties and surprises.

The key is to be proactive. Don’t wait until a deadline is approaching to find out where your business stands. Make recordkeeping and tax planning part of your regular routine, just like checking your equipment or planning your next route.

Get Your Business in the Right Formation

Before a football team can execute its plays, everyone needs to understand their role. A trucking business needs that same kind of structure.

Setting up your business correctly, including establishing the appropriate legal entity, is an important part of building a solid foundation. The right business structure can affect your taxes, liability, and opportunities for future growth. Depending on your circumstances, making the right decisions early can have significant long-term financial implications.

This is an area where professional guidance matters. Your business structure should reflect your goals, not simply what was easiest when you first started operating.

Just as a coach adjusts the team’s strategy to fit its personnel, your business decisions should reflect your individual situation and where you want to go. Taking the time to get these details right can help position your business for the next stage of growth.

You May Be the Quarterback, but You Need a Team

Even the best quarterbacks don’t win games alone. They rely on coaches, coordinators, and teammates who bring different skills to the field.

As a trucking business owner, you’re the quarterback. You’re responsible for making decisions and executing your gameplan, but that doesn’t mean you need to be the expert in every area of your business.

Colton emphasizes the value of surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you in different areas. That means knowing what expertise you need, understanding how others can help, and taking advantage of the resources available to you.

For example, tax planning is a specialized part of running a business. Working with professionals who understand trucking taxes can help you prepare for tax obligations, make informed decisions, and plan for the future. At the same time, business planning involves looking at the bigger picture: your goals, your growth strategy, and the steps needed to get there.

That’s where having the right support system can make a difference. The Trucker CFO can help owner-operators navigate tax planning, while Expediter Services provides resources and support to help business owners plan for what’s next. These roles may overlap in some areas, but each brings a different perspective to the table.

Ultimately, you’re still the one calling the plays. The goal is to surround yourself with people who can help you make better-informed decisions and put your business in a stronger position to succeed.

Play the Long Game

Building a successful trucking business doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistent effort, sound decisions, and a willingness to prepare for challenges before they arrive.

Creating a gameplan, developing good financial habits, establishing the right business structure, and building a trusted team can help you move beyond simply keeping your truck on the road. These are the fundamentals that allow you to focus on your long-term goals and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Start with a plan, build the right habits, and bring in the people who can help you execute.

Want to hear more? Catch the full conversation with Colton Lawrence, the Trucker CFO, on the Success in Trucking Podcast for more insights on tax planning, business ownership, and building a foundation for long-term success.