In 2019, I established Kadoko Furnitures, LLC, with the aim of monetizing my woodworking endeavors. I crafted and sold food serving trays, picture frames, and assembled furniture for clients within the local RTP community, though profitability remained a challenge.
The following year, in 2020, I expanded Kadoko Furnitures by acquiring two Kenworth T-680 semi-trailer trucks and venturing into long-haul trucking through a partnership with an established company. This experience provided invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, including financing large capital expenditures, truck maintenance, cost management, driver management, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. Concurrently, I completed an introductory accounting course on Coursera and obtained a Class A commercial driver’s license.
It’s worth noting that the trucking industry is characterized by boom and bust cycles. My entry coincided with a boom period where shipping revenues were sufficient to cover operational costs such as drivers, insurance, fuel, and maintenance. However, this favorable period was not sustained.
By the end of 2023, I divested Kadoko Furnitures, LLC, from the trucking industry due to unfavorable economic conditions. I am grateful for the lessons learned, as I believe they are highly transferable to my future ventures. Read the research report I compiled on the trucking industry.
