September 17, 2024 • 44 mins
Ms. Kerri is the Proud Owner/Operator of Trucker Jons, Ohio's Premier Deluxe Portable Washrooms. A little about Ms. Scott, She is a Trucker, (Thus the name, Trucker Jons). She is a Daughter of a Trucker so it runs in the blood. AT 5'2, other Truckers we're always amazed when she would get out of the truck, after backing into many tight places around Columbus and surrounding areas.
Ms. Scott, knew after her divorced that she had to Put her "Big Girl Panties" on and get out there and provide for herself. So she consulted with her Father, who himself was a trucker for over 55 years.
She knew she needed to make a lot of money and a lot of money fast. She she traded in her heels and suits for a Big Rig and Boots. She Trucked for over Seven years. And loves being a Trucker!
While Trucking in Columbus and Throughout the Region, she saw how much the City and the Surrounding areas had grown. One day at a Delivery Stop in the BIG Rig, she had to use the restroom facilities, but the Warehouse she was delivering at, didn't have facilities for the Truckers. In desperate needs, she had to hold it until her next available stop, but while in the moment, she got a bright idea.....When you're in a Semi, you have plenty of "Windshield" Time, so you have lots of time to think!
and thus the light bulb was bright in her head. With a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Ms. Scott started doing her research and saw that the Portable Restroom Business is an extremely Lucrative business. So she started preparing a Business Plan and talking to her local Banker. They praised her Business Plan and put together a Small Business Loan package and Ms. Scott had prepared herself Financially to make the leap and resign from her Trucking Company and Start what we will get to know as her own Empire, Trucker Jons.
Ms. Scott looks to put the Posh in the Porta Potty Business!!
Ms. Scott, knew after her divorced that she had to Put her "Big Girl Panties" on and get out there and provide for herself. So she consulted with her Father, who himself was a trucker for over 55 years.
She knew she needed to make a lot of money and a lot of money fast. She she traded in her heels and suits for a Big Rig and Boots. She Trucked for over Seven years. And loves being a Trucker!
While Trucking in Columbus and Throughout the Region, she saw how much the City and the Surrounding areas had grown. One day at a Delivery Stop in the BIG Rig, she had to use the restroom facilities, but the Warehouse she was delivering at, didn't have facilities for the Truckers. In desperate needs, she had to hold it until her next available stop, but while in the moment, she got a bright idea.....When you're in a Semi, you have plenty of "Windshield" Time, so you have lots of time to think!
and thus the light bulb was bright in her head. With a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management, Ms. Scott started doing her research and saw that the Portable Restroom Business is an extremely Lucrative business. So she started preparing a Business Plan and talking to her local Banker. They praised her Business Plan and put together a Small Business Loan package and Ms. Scott had prepared herself Financially to make the leap and resign from her Trucking Company and Start what we will get to know as her own Empire, Trucker Jons.
Ms. Scott looks to put the Posh in the Porta Potty Business!!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Columbus in Central Ohio have a rich history of companies
being headquartered here, everything from technology, manufacturing, retail, insurance, and more.
But what about the leaders behind these companies? What makes
them tick? How do they get their start? This is
where you get to meet the captain of the ship.
Welcome to CEOs You Should Know and iHeartMedia Columbus Podcast.
(00:20):
Welcome back to a new episode of CEOs You Should
Know and iHeartMedia Columbus Podcast. Boy, you are in for
a treat today with our latest guest. Not just inspirational,
but I gotta tell you, the first time meeting her,
I thought she was everything I thought she would be
full of energy. Is it okay to call you a
(00:41):
human firecracker?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I would say that would be a great assessment.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Please, Welcome to our latest episode of CEOs You Should Know,
Owner operator of Trucker John's Miss Carry, Scott Carrie. Welcome.
Thanks for taking time to come down and I'm not
going to put you on the spot that you were late,
but when you're a business owner, you never know what's
going to happen and how you start your day, right.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I know, and of course my apologies.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
No, it's okay.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Late, Hey, you know what, as a former trucker sometimes
you're gonna be late. But I'm here now and I'm
so excited to be here with you. Thank you so
much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thank you. We want to know more about Trucker John's.
What met you know what? Because I want to hear
your story too, the behind you know, the true Hollywood
story of Carrie Scott. But before that, tell us in
a snapshot, what is Trucker John's.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Trucker John's is Central Ohio's premier deluxe portable washrooms. Just
a fancy way of sayan porta potties. Yes, indeed, so
wherever nature calls, we're rolling and we're hauling in some
great comfort, cozy, pristine deluxe portable washrooms. I like I said,
(02:02):
it's just another fancy way of Santijara boddies. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
I want to know, and we will. We're going to
get to this. That when the light bulb went off
on this business. But a little where are you based
out of? First of all, are you just down the
road from us? I I am.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I am just right.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
So West Fifth Avenue. Yes, okay, that's where the headquarters is.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
That is that is, But my equipment and my units
will be all over So I am definitely trying to
find more warehouse because I got some new units coming in. Yeah. Yeah,
so but office is right down the road. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
So let's hear your story. Carry are you from Columbus?
Born and raised here? Where are you from?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Originally from Fort Myers, Florida? Okay, Hey, I've been here,
what thirty seven years now? So I'm a Buckeye yeah here,
like I'm crazy buck guy, like getting ready to get
new gear for next weekend.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
That's right. That's right. Well, let's let's start this because
I was fascinated to see that your dad was a trucker, right,
is that right?
Speaker 2 (03:03):
My dad, God bless his soul. Yes, he was a
trucker and he trucked for fifty five years.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yes, retired from YRC, which, of course, you know felt
the demise a couple of months ago. Yeah, and you know,
retired and what twenty nineteen, went to Thailand to visit
my grandfather got that down in my lineage as well
(03:33):
as uncle. Went over there, had a great time for
a couple months, played around with a bunny, a mail
order bride, I guess for a couple of months.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I was like, okay, Dad, this podcast is getting more interesting, right. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Well, I guess you know when you retire and you know, hey,
he had a good time over there for a couple
of months, then came back on fortunately, got the COVID
and died. Wow. I'm sorry, so yeah, thank you, thank
you so much. But you know, he was so proud
of me. Of course, I have a brother and a
(04:16):
sister that are also truckers drive for other companies. But
the last time I saw him, he lived in New Albany,
and I'll never forget it. I was working on the
east side of Columbus, filling in for the person who
normally runs that route, and I was on Hamilton Road,
(04:37):
just trucking along, heading to home depot to make a delivery,
and all of a sudden, I kid you not, I'm
backing into the dock and I get a phone call
and it was my dad. This was the last time
I saw him, so I get a little choked up
about it. But he called me and he said he
was a daughter. I just passed you. He goes, oh
(05:01):
my god, you look so good in that truck. Oh
so yeah, that was the last time that I spoke
with my dad. Because you know, obviously twenty twenty, I
think he fell ill and in January. Yeah, then he
died twenty twenty one. But you know I've sent him
(05:24):
everywhere and then you know, full circle. Oh my gosh.
The company that I drove for, SDS, what did they do?
They bought a lot of Yrc's equipment. So I felt
my dad every day when I would see Yellow Freight's
equipment in the yard and I was like, oh my gosh,
(05:45):
that's just Dad, that's the angels, you know. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yeah, misscarry Scott is with us, the owner and operator
of Trucker John. She's this week's guest on CEOs. You
should know. And I heard Media Columbus podcast Safe to
say it was your dad who inspired you to get
in and do what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
You know, I am a daughter of a trucker. So
I remember way back riding with him and getting on
the CB and his handle was Pancake. So I would
get on the CB and break or break or breaker
this pancake Junior here. I remember like it was yesterday.
(06:24):
Oh my gosh. And you know, twelve thirteen years ago,
unfortunately I got a divorce and I knew I said Okay,
let's pull up your bootstraps here. And because I was
a stay at home mom for a long time, and
I knew I had a degree in business management, but
I knew I needed to make a lot of money
(06:45):
and a lot of money fast, because you know, I
was playing ketchup right funding my retirement. So I went
to my dad and I said, Hey, I need to
make a lot of money and a lot of money fast.
I think I'm going to go into trucking because I
was in sales at the time. Okay, for logistics. So
I traded in my heels and suits for a big
(07:06):
rig and boots. And yes, indeed, he said, okay, if
you're going to do this, you know, stay local. And
he mentioned three companies that would be great for me,
and yeah, SD's was one of them. Best decision ever.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
So Carrie, help help us understand or at least me.
Did you buy your own truck? Were you independent? How
did that work?
Speaker 2 (07:29):
So I drove for a company LTL company, SD's Express
here in Columbus, Like I said, great company, great for
female drivers. I drove for them for seven years and
I tell you what, I learned so much, so much
(07:51):
in the transportation trucking business made a lot of money,
and you know, was able to, you know, just stash
away my money. And you know, I just knew that
I had to do something more for the next ten
to twelve years.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Yeah, yeah, you.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Know, but yes, it was just a phenomenal career. Trucking
and transportation is so vital to the American economy.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
It's the fabric, isn't it is?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
It really is, and you touch, I probably brought it
to you.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Absolutely, that's the truth. Absolutely, And I remember this so well.
What a year or two years ago, Carrie, when the
supply chain shortage was happening, and that gave me a
real education. It probably should have given everyone an education
who isn't in it? Just how vital our truckers are
(08:41):
that and give them some room and give them some respect.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Please. Yeah, that's another story. Yeah four wheelers, My gosh,
I could tell you I got some good stories.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Oh, I bet you do. You should write a book.
That should be the next project.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
My god, you know, yeah, out it. You know four
years ago what happened, But trucking we kept moving, absolutely
kept moving and sties. I got to tell you, great
company didn't lay off not a soul. Wow, not a soul.
We kept moving. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
So I grew up on a farm carry and my
father was a farmer, but to make extra money, he
was a truck driver. So during the holidays I would
get that opportunity to you know, ride with him to
places like Chicago and Denver, and it was it was
drainage tile is what we usually hauled. But there's nothing
(09:42):
else like it over the road trucking, And I know
it's you know, probably some people have their stereotypes of it,
but like what we just said, I mean, they move
and they're always on the move, always.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Always, and you know, I feel like, yes, there was
always a stereotype with trucking. Maybe years ago not so good, right, sure, Okay,
but over the seven years that I saw mad respect
(10:15):
mad respect man, I tell you, driving around this city
south of Ohio, other areas where I drove, you know,
sometimes I would have to say women are better drivers.
And there were times that you know, when you're you're
(10:41):
making a tight, tight turn in this city, yeah, you
know there were times where where four wheelers would you know,
some would get out of my way yea, and some wouldn't.
And then it was like you're making that turn and
it's a height ryron and oh my gosh, I think
(11:04):
I had a fan club just sitting right there watching
me make that turn. And all of a sudden I
saw this one guy gets out of his window and
was like, you go girl. So over the years I
saw mad appreciation kids and school buses, you know doing.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, that was always my favorite.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Oh yes, it was because there's not a lot of
female truck drivers. Yes, it has increased over the years,
but it is so so much appreciation. And of course,
you know when you get out of that truck, you know,
people will look this little, well, this five foot three.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
That's that's what I wanted to know, Gary, And just
forgive me here for a sec, but I want to
describe you for those that haven't seen you, because you're
this small, petite woman, re attractive. So I'm just trying
to I'm trying to picture you getting out of the
truck and what the reaction was.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Well, I'd get out of the truck and my pink
steel toe boots and there were times that no kidding,
I am not kidding. Tight area. I had another Samulian
driver could not hit the dock and the fellow walked
over to me and handed me his keys and asked
(12:29):
me to back in the door. Wow, you should not
be behind an eighty thousand pound vehicle, buddy, if you
can't back into this dock right. But yes, I would
get that all the time, just you know, dock workers
that were standing there watching because they'd watch because they
knew how tight of an area it was. But when
(12:50):
I whipped that thing right on back and they're like, man,
you go girl, he goes. They're like, I've seen people.
It took him an hour to try it back in. Yeah.
So yeah, mad respect, mad respect.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
So how many years total were you over the road?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Seven seven over, Kevin, And how long.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Did it take you to master, like really master tight
spaces roundabouts?
Speaker 2 (13:22):
So you know, I as when you go through training
through the school and you had to pass that CDL
test and there are some maneuvers you had to do,
like blindside parallel parking. So when you were out there
(13:43):
and the instructor would say, guys, it is just like
driving a car, except you just got this long rectangle
behind you and really you are really driving the trailer.
You're really driving the trailer because you have to know
where those wheels are because you are driving the trailer.
(14:05):
And then after several months you kind of get that
aha moment because it's everything opposite of driving a car,
and it really is. And once you like, oh okay,
because you're really driving the trailer, and once you got
that moment, you know, okay, you know how you know
(14:28):
how wide you got to turn so you won't knock
down you know, a pole on your right hand side,
so you know you got to turn wide and stuff.
But yeah, after several months, you know, you do you
get that aha moment? Backing into places if I've never
been there before, I always always and like they said,
(14:52):
do the goal method, get out and look. So if
you're not really sure, you get out. I'll get out
and assess how I was going to maneuver into that dog,
especially when I've never been there before, you know, because
you you don't want to get stuck anywhere.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
No, are it's.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Not easy backing out of fifty three footer.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
No carry any any tough spots that your daily in
the daily traffic life. Are there any tough areas to
be a driver for an eighteen wheeler?
Speaker 2 (15:28):
So I would say I'm going to share this because
I was new behind the wheel and it was a
moment I wouldn't necessarily say tough, but you know, watching
four wheelers because four wheelers don't respect truckers. I mean
(15:49):
that's we can't stop on a dime, you know, because
you don't know how heavy we are. We know that,
but you don't. So one time, and like I said,
this was kind of new because I was on my
own and I was at a Low's oh Low's, yes,
(16:10):
and I was backing into the dock, you know, just
getting myself in my position, and I had my four
way flashers on, and I know that it was nothing
but God. I know it wholeheartedly, the way that I
was positioned, like in a ninety degree angle and I
(16:34):
was backing up, and I know it was nothing but
God that gave me the right moment. This woman and
a four wheeler went right behind my trailer and I
missed her by inches, and I stopped and I was
because you know, I mean, obviously you don't want to
(16:55):
you don't want to hit anybody.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
No, no, you know, she.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Went right behind me. And I know it was nothing
but God that gave me that right angle to see her,
and I blew the horn at her so bad, and
I just stopped and gathered, you know, because that would
have not been.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Good, no, and that would have made anyone very flustered,
well and angry.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Oh my god. Yeah, you know, just really a couple
months into your career and nobody, nobody wants that, you know.
But I just stopped and just sat there and gathered
at my composion because I thought, oh my lord, you know,
because you do. We're always driving defensively.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yeah, I mean you have to, and.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
You're just gonna have to know what people will do.
But I mean, yeah, I did not see her, but
I thank God for that angle for me to catch
her before I kept backing.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Carrie's that the worst part about driving an eighteen wheeler
is just stupid people, just people not thinking.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Ever, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I would say, because now obviously,
you know, if I'm with friends and we're driving, and
I'm like, no, you'd never want to ride behind a truck,
get away as fast as you can past us. But
you know, also be diligent and respectful, because again, you know,
(18:30):
we can't stop on a dime. We can't. But yeah,
the disrespect is it's not nice, you know, it really isn't.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, Carrie Scott is with us on CEOs. You should
know and I heard Media Columbus podcast. She's the owner
and operator of Trucker John's. Let's fast forward, Carrie. Eventually
you get to a point where a light bulb went
off and you had this idea I'm guessing for a business.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Yes, yes, so so as I try over seven years,
I absolutely love trucking. I did. I love being behind
that semi and I'm gonna tell you it was like empowerment.
You know, you know when you would see people and
(19:20):
you're handling that eighty thousand pound vehicle, people will all say, oh,
that's badass. If I can say that, sorry you can,
but it was. It was like such an empowerment. So
when you're in that semi, you have plenty of windshield
(19:40):
time is what we call it, because you're you're seeing everything.
You can see everything. So over the years, I just
saw exponential growth and Columbus. So one day I won't
name the warehouse where I was making a delivery in
(20:03):
Marysville and I had to use the bathroom and I thought,
oh my gosh, I got to use the bathroom. And
it takes a little while you know when you have
to go through drop your trailer, get your paperwork and
things like that. And there were times that you will
(20:23):
look under the trailer and they call them piss bombs
yeah yeah, which were water bottles, yeah yeah, yeah. So
I just thought, oh my god, I got to use
the bathroom. Am I gonna make it? And it was
just like and I started noticing, like, man, you know,
(20:45):
there's so much growth going on. There's port of bodies
everywhere in this city. I delivered to construction sites every day.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
I was gonna say, is that Can I just ask you?
Is that your number one client construction?
Speaker 2 (21:01):
They will be yes. And events, look what has happened?
Events have come back. There's over fifteen hundred events that
just happened throughout the Columbus area. It's crazy. So I thought,
oh my gosh, I've got to use the bathroom here.
And then I just started noticing, Yeah, there's a lot
(21:21):
of portable restrooms everywhere. And I thought, you know what,
I've been trucking now for seven years, and I thought, well,
I got ten to twelve more years ago, and I'm
just working, stashing money away, trying to make sure I'm
having some fun in between times too, because you know,
normally truckers unfortunately when they retire, it seems as though
(21:45):
after their retirement you hear a bottom dying.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Why is that, do you think, Cary?
Speaker 2 (21:50):
You know, I mean sad. I try to make sure
I take care of myself so when I'm out there,
you know, if I'm sitting, I'll get out and I'll
start doing some kickboxing. Good good when launches. Yeah, I
packed my lunch every day, salads and stuff. You know,
because your health is your wealth in the trucking business.
(22:12):
So true, because you have to pass a physical every
year or every two years. So I just knew that,
you know, having a strict regimen, going to the gym,
stand active, being physically active was so important to me.
But yeah, as I kept going, I knew that. I
(22:35):
knew I was smart, and I thought, you know, I
got a degree here in business management. I'm gonna check
out this portable restroom business. Started doing some research. Wow, Wow,
what a very lucrative business. Small investment yield, great return.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
Were you surprised to see the ROI were you surprised
to see the investment you'd have to make?
Speaker 2 (22:59):
First?
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Is their return so early?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah? I was so shocked. I thought, you know, like
I said, at that warehouse and couldn't get to a
restroom facility as quick and going back home and just
started diving into the research, writing. I couldn't believe how
small of investment that could yield great return. So I
(23:24):
knew that the money that my father had left, God
bless his soul, you know. I just thought, Okay, I
need to do something with this money. Do I want
to buy a house? Eh? Do I want to buy
some property? Do an AIRBB you know, just I wanted
to create some income, you know, yeah, another revenue stress investments.
(23:49):
You know, my kids are grown now, and I thought, yeah,
I need some other streams of income. So yeah, I
started doing that research and Lowa Maho I put together.
I had a business created, and then I presented it
to my local bank and they took about about two
(24:11):
and a half to three weeks to research and read
up through my business plan and came back and said, hey,
all right, you want to move forward because we like
this awesome and yes, so so.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
They were impressed. It sounds like business.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
They were impressed. And yeah, as of last week, I
closed on my SBA loan. Yes, yes, so that's a
great story. Congratulations, thank you, thank you so much. And
so now I am officially a portable restroom operator known
(24:53):
as a PRO. I like that.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
With regards to PRO, are there things you have to
be certified or with the State of Ohio anything like that.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Yes, absolutely, so you know, and with me being a
CDO Class A, I'm holder, you know, so you're it's
gonna be great for me because you know, you'll have
hazmat I can carry that, I carry all my endorsements
and so hey, you know I can drive my own equipment.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Yes, this is true.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Yes indeed, but yes, so as I did my research,
I had to take the state exam because I did
not want to just be a rental facility. I wanted
to be on the sanitation side, okay as well because
there's other avenues that I'm going to dive into as well.
(25:54):
So yes, I took the state test, studied and passed
a test. So I am licensed, bonded, and insured and
certified to haul my own waste.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
There you go, State of Ohio, congrats. Carry you said
something that caught my ear. There are companies that just
strictly rent the facilities, and then there are companies like
yours who not just rent, but you you do it all.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Well, yeah, because I'm a numbers person. And as I
kept doing my research, you know, I called the state
and so they said, well, you don't have to take
the tests. And then I did more digging and did
my research because hey, I'm a numbers person, right, and
I found I thought, hmm, well if I just rent,
(26:46):
then who's going to do the hauling and cleaning? And
I said, oh no, no, no, no no, this eats
into my profit. We can't have that.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
That's what I was just gonna ask that would need
in your profit?
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Yeah, So you know, I got so lucky. I found
a mentor out of Newark and he just took me
under his wing because he had his own septic portable
restroom business as well. Okay, and he took me under
his swing and he said to me, he goes, Carrie,
(27:25):
there is so much business an opportunity in this business.
Not everyone wants to do it. Sure, So he said,
I am not threatened by you. I'm going to help you.
And he did, and lo and behold he had a
small pumping truck that he was selling. I thought, oh
(27:46):
my gosh. So he was asking twenty grand for it. Yeah,
I walked in there. I said, well you take eighteen
cash and he took it. Wow. So yes, look at you.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
You're a great negotiator by.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Oh absolutely, but it was awesome. So yeah, I had
a truck that's ready to make money, you know. And
then of course I went and purchased you know, my
units to get started. But yes, once I knew, and
of course watching all the videos going out with him,
watching simple, simple, simple, simple, and I knew that the
(28:21):
initial investment would yield great returns. I'm not afraid. I'm
not afraid to get dirty.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Yeah. So you're numbers person, So this is probably a
great thing to ask you. If you're just starting this business.
Do you have a calculated and maybe it just depends
on how much business you get when you buy these items.
How long will it take you to pay them off?
Speaker 2 (28:47):
So my items, a lot of them, I have already
paid for myself. And to tell you the truth, after
two or three rentals, every thing after that is all profits.
Incredible and that and just insane.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
And does a lot of it have to do with
carry lack of competition?
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Well, you know there is competition out there, but I
think also, hey, you know being a trucker. Yeah, I've
had to go in quite a few of those units.
Let me tell you it ain't pretty. No, it's not pretty.
But where I'm gonna kill it is on the service
because we're missing that. Now, those units could go and
(29:34):
sit at a construction site for months, right, You're just
making money with that unit sitting out there for months.
So yeah, so that's why once I did the research
and saw just how lucrative this business is, it's insane.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
But I feel like, and you're right, a lot of
those units do sit there for months the construction sites,
and I'm guessing this is where your business comes in.
Is Okay, Sure you get someone that will come out
and you know, take care of the waste, maybe refill
the soap. But I'm guessing, knowing you and correct me
if I'm wrong, you probably will go in and clean
(30:15):
it all up, make it poshy, I mean, because that's
the one thing that is missing. No one really does that,
no one. I feel like, no one wipes.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
It down exactly. I'm gonna put the pasha in a
port a potty business.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
I love it that too, absolutely, But yes, that's the thing.
You know, we're we're missing and I like to keep
it clean. I mean, that's just that's just me. Yeah,
you know, so I'm gonna kill it on the cleanliness
because that is so important. I've talked to some construction workers,
(30:48):
you know, being out there, and there were some that
were gonna report that. We're gonna report the pros because
it was just it was filthy, you know, and that
is it's it's the hazardous. So that's why you know,
you have to be certified and licensed and all the
counties that you service, because yeah, you you can be
(31:10):
reported if it's not kept up and clean because that's
a hazard. It's a waste.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
Carrie, I don't want you to reveal all your secrets,
but I'm just I'm trying to put perspective. Okay, let's
say our business, our studio and growing up, my mother
was a cleaner and she worked at a bank and
she cleaned the bathrooms, you know, once a day. How
is it for portable units?
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Is it?
Speaker 1 (31:33):
Do you have someone that comes out every day at
a busy construction site do you? I don't know.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Okay, So basically that unit will sit and it gets
rented on a monthly basis. Okay, That's why I said
usually after the second third rental, everything after that it's
all profit.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
So the thing is it will come with one weekly
service every week. To be honest, once a week is
not enough. Okay, it's not enough, but you know the
company is probably just gonna do the basics. Okay, once
a week.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Do you pack it like through ported uh excuse me,
through trucker John's? Will you do you have different packages
that you.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
Do where you know, because we are the experts and
you know, we know what the OSHA guidelines are, and
so you're we're gonna have to create the narrative to
that contact person on the phone because like I said, again,
once a week it's not enough. It's not enough, and
(32:40):
it's unfortunately, it's disgusting and it is can be a hazard. Way.
So we're going to create the narrative. And again I'm
going to stand on my cleanliness. I may I may
be a little bit more, but you're gonna get the service.
You know, You're gonna get the service and the posh
service in the concierge service that comes with truck or John's.
(33:04):
I mean, that's just how it is.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
Yeah, do you do you see a time eventually where
it wouldn't cut too much of your into your profits,
where you would go more than once a week or.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
And that's where you and educate the contact person that's
on that phone. You know, I've got some great deals
that we are implementing, whereas that second cleaning is going
to be beneficial, and yet it may save you hundreds dollars,
you know, as I roll out my rewards program. You
(33:36):
know again it's you know, you want to make sure
that according to the OSHA guidelines. You know, your people
out there on that site, you know that they don't
have to endure such difficulties of stuff being sure, you know, wasteful.
I mean, that's let's just keep it real. It's it's
not pretty. It's not pretty out there. But we do
(34:00):
know once a week is unfortunately not enough. But that's
where you're going to have to educate that person and
let them know down the road you're gonna end up
getting those savings when you go twice a week. Yeah,
because one trucker John's name is going to be on
the line. But I want to make sure that we
(34:22):
are servicing our clients with the utmost cleaninists and comfortable
units and again and making sure that I'm killing it
on service and cleaninists, because that's just how it's got
to be.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Absolutely carry Scott is with us, the owner and operator
of truck or John's. Who are some of your clients
right now?
Speaker 2 (34:40):
Well, I am working with some other radio stations. I
do have quite a few, like churches that are doing
some festivals right now. Okay, and yeah, we're getting out
there and getting rolling. I got some individuals as well.
You know, people do have parties, man, and they yeah,
(35:01):
they don't want people trampling through their homes. You know.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
I laugh, because you're absolutely right. I've been to some
very nice charity events at some very million dollar plus
homes and You're right. You see the port of bodies outside.
They don't want people.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Going in there, which I get. I get it.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
I do too. I do too that this is absolutely incredible. Carrie.
Would you agree with this statement that some of the
most unglamorous jobs pay the most money.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
I would agree with that statement and also say that
you have to be willing to get in and get
dirty and understand, you know, the benefits behind it. So
I knew as I told you earlier, when I got
(35:56):
a divorce and being a stay at home mom. You know,
I knew I had a bachelor's degree in business management,
so I knew I was always a leader. But I
also know too that I was playing ketchup in the
financial corporate world. I knew that I had to pick
(36:17):
up my bootstraps and get out there. And I knew
I needed to make a lot of money and a
lot of money fast. And I knew exactly where I
could do it because I watched my dad. And so
when I told him that I was going into trucking,
you know, he gave me great advice and it was
the best ever. So some of the jobs that we
(36:42):
don't want to do, you're missing out. You have to
re vamp yourself and I knew it. And when I
was out there on the dogs, I saw so many
women that were so impressed and they're like, hey, you're
driving that big truck. You're making all the money. And
(37:03):
I would always say, and you can too, hunt and
you can too, So I knew that. Hey, I knew
I'd grew up watching being in trucking, but I knew
I was a great driver, and I knew you could
make a lot of money. And I'm a testimony. Yeah
you can. I never driven a truck, but I knew
(37:24):
I was in that family of trucking because I was
a daughter of a trucker. Yeah, and once I once
I mastered driving that thing, it's like yeah, and you know,
and hey, being able to take care of myself it
afforded me the financial stability and financial wins that I needed.
(37:45):
And I was able to, you know, financially take care
of myself and walk in my company office and hand
them my resignation letter because I knew that, hey, I
wanted to make some more money and a little more
control of my time because trucking it is very financially rewarding.
(38:07):
It's a lot of work. You're working a lot of hours,
a lot of time away. Oh my gosh. Yeah, So
I just knew that I needed a little more control
of my time and what by better way of doing
it is becoming your own boss.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Well, Carrie, as we start to wrap up, kudos to you,
by the way with your inspiring story of getting a divorce,
because whether you're a man or a woman, if you
if your job for so many years was to stay
and take her the family and make sure the bills
are paid and take her the kids. And suddenly one
(38:42):
day you find that your world is about to change,
but you did something about it.
Speaker 2 (38:48):
Oh absolutely, absolutely. And I get chills when I meet
other people and other women. Not trying to toot my
own horn.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
You should though your own art, thank.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
You, but yeah, no, I do. I do get a
lot of I get a lot of women that are
just I try to encourage and I'm like, you can
do this too, and and I just feel now that hey,
you know you can do this. You can too. And
(39:22):
I'm out here and I'm doing it. I didn't wallow
and oh woe is me? No, Nope, I invested in
myself and so I just sometimes I hear other women
were like, I wish I had your confidence, and I'm
(39:42):
just I'm just me. But I'm out here doing it
because I know that I always knew I was a leader. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Well, you're very inspiring, Carrie. I have a dirty question
for you, okay, because I'm just curious.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Clean it up for you. I love me some bleach
and lie and liesaw, Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
Carrie, just to understand a little bit better how this works.
You talked about you know, buying a pump truck. Where
where do you take the waste when you take you know,
take care of those units.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
Okay, So I have a seven and fifty gallon waist
pump truck, so I will be able to go. I
would probably say three weeks at a time. Yeah, you know,
before you have to dump. But I will be dumping
and right over off like Jackson Pike. Okay, so, yes,
(40:35):
so I had.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
To So there's a facility there that exactly. Okay, got
to do it the right way, exactly.
Speaker 2 (40:41):
And you know, I have procedures in place for my
field service technicians where they are to upload picture showing
that they've cleaned that unit to my specifications.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
Oh okay, yeah, and you.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Are to upload that picture when you're done servicing, and
then you are to upload a picture dumping, you know,
at the proper waste facility, because that is the only
way you're going to get paid. Because Trucker John's name
is on the line. And if I dare catch anybody
(41:19):
dumping where they should not be, you know, that's that's good.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
That could get you in trouble to absolutely did you,
by the way, did you get the picture thing? I'm
just curious. Was that just something that popped in your head?
Because Amazon does that as you know, when they deliver
a package.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
I know right well, And the thing is that presentation
is everything, And you know, I mean I I like
to take care of myself. You know, I think I'm
I think I still got it, you know. So you know,
(41:59):
pre is everything in Trucker John's, We're on it. And
I can't have anything that's not the presentative of me.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
You know what else just popped in my head? And
you are probably so advanced you've already had this idea.
But but speaking of Pash, I see you creating and
manufacturing your own sense for for what do you think,
you know, pot pourri, peaches? I am strawberries.
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Already ahead of that, you know. And you know, and
also just and taking care of my trucking community because
you know, I'm always going to be a trucker first,
that's the name trucker John's get it. But yes, I
do have some great things in the pipeline for my truckers,
(42:51):
the trucking community as well. You're absolutely right, I got
some great things already lined up for branding.
Speaker 1 (42:59):
Yeah, well I figured so.
Speaker 2 (43:01):
You know, I am going to have a lot of
fun in this business. Wait and see there's TikTok videos
coming and everything.
Speaker 1 (43:11):
Oh that's great.
Speaker 2 (43:12):
You're gonna unleash my mascot Willie. Oh really yeah, I'm
gonna unleash Willie. Yeah. So I am gonna have fun
with this business. It's a little shitty, but I'm gonna
keep it clean. I love this because who is my profit?
Speaker 1 (43:33):
This is the greatest podcast episode, Carrie Scott. I for
those that want more info on Trucker John's, where do
they go?
Speaker 2 (43:42):
Oh? Definitely please check out Trucker John's without theh dot com.
Speaker 1 (43:49):
Trucker Johns dot com. Carrie, full of inspiration, full of energy.
I don't have to wish you the best of uck you.
You do not need it. You're gonna be just fine.
But I'm I'm really proud of you and I'm excited
for you.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
So congratulations, Thank you so much, and thank you for
having me. And definitely do go and like all of
my social media's Facebook, Instagram, and we're just gonna have fun.
Stay tuned as I unleash quite a few of my
characters as well.
Speaker 1 (44:19):
CEOs You Should Know is hosted and produced by Brandon Boxer,
a production of iHeartMedia, Columbus
Columbus in Central Ohio have a rich history of companies
being headquartered here, everything from technology, manufacturing, retail, insurance, and more.
But what about the leaders behind these companies? What makes
them tick? How do they get their start? This is
where you get to meet the captain of the ship.
Welcome to CEOs You Should Know and iHeartMedia Columbus Podcast.
(00:20):
Welcome back to a new episode of CEOs You Should
Know and iHeartMedia Columbus Podcast. Boy, you are in for
a treat today with our latest guest. Not just inspirational,
but I gotta tell you, the first time meeting her,
I thought she was everything I thought she would be
full of energy. Is it okay to call you a
(00:41):
human firecracker?
Speaker 2 (00:43):
I would say that would be a great assessment.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Please, Welcome to our latest episode of CEOs You Should Know,
Owner operator of Trucker John's Miss Carry, Scott Carrie. Welcome.
Thanks for taking time to come down and I'm not
going to put you on the spot that you were late,
but when you're a business owner, you never know what's
going to happen and how you start your day, right.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I know, and of course my apologies.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
No, it's okay.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Late, Hey, you know what, as a former trucker sometimes
you're gonna be late. But I'm here now and I'm
so excited to be here with you. Thank you so
much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thank you. We want to know more about Trucker John's.
What met you know what? Because I want to hear
your story too, the behind you know, the true Hollywood
story of Carrie Scott. But before that, tell us in
a snapshot, what is Trucker John's.
Speaker 2 (01:40):
Trucker John's is Central Ohio's premier deluxe portable washrooms. Just
a fancy way of sayan porta potties. Yes, indeed, so
wherever nature calls, we're rolling and we're hauling in some
great comfort, cozy, pristine deluxe portable washrooms. I like I said,
(02:02):
it's just another fancy way of Santijara boddies. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
I want to know, and we will. We're going to
get to this. That when the light bulb went off
on this business. But a little where are you based
out of? First of all, are you just down the
road from us? I I am.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
I am just right.
Speaker 1 (02:16):
So West Fifth Avenue. Yes, okay, that's where the headquarters is.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
That is that is, But my equipment and my units
will be all over So I am definitely trying to
find more warehouse because I got some new units coming in. Yeah. Yeah,
so but office is right down the road. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
So let's hear your story. Carry are you from Columbus?
Born and raised here? Where are you from?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Originally from Fort Myers, Florida? Okay, Hey, I've been here,
what thirty seven years now? So I'm a Buckeye yeah here,
like I'm crazy buck guy, like getting ready to get
new gear for next weekend.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
That's right. That's right. Well, let's let's start this because
I was fascinated to see that your dad was a trucker, right,
is that right?
Speaker 2 (03:03):
My dad, God bless his soul. Yes, he was a
trucker and he trucked for fifty five years.
Speaker 1 (03:10):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yes, retired from YRC, which, of course, you know felt
the demise a couple of months ago. Yeah, and you know,
retired and what twenty nineteen, went to Thailand to visit
my grandfather got that down in my lineage as well
(03:33):
as uncle. Went over there, had a great time for
a couple months, played around with a bunny, a mail
order bride, I guess for a couple of months.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I was like, okay, Dad, this podcast is getting more interesting, right. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Well, I guess you know when you retire and you know, hey,
he had a good time over there for a couple
of months, then came back on fortunately, got the COVID
and died. Wow. I'm sorry, so yeah, thank you, thank
you so much. But you know, he was so proud
of me. Of course, I have a brother and a
(04:16):
sister that are also truckers drive for other companies. But
the last time I saw him, he lived in New Albany,
and I'll never forget it. I was working on the
east side of Columbus, filling in for the person who
normally runs that route, and I was on Hamilton Road,
(04:37):
just trucking along, heading to home depot to make a delivery,
and all of a sudden, I kid you not, I'm
backing into the dock and I get a phone call
and it was my dad. This was the last time
I saw him, so I get a little choked up
about it. But he called me and he said he
was a daughter. I just passed you. He goes, oh
(05:01):
my god, you look so good in that truck. Oh
so yeah, that was the last time that I spoke
with my dad. Because you know, obviously twenty twenty, I
think he fell ill and in January. Yeah, then he
died twenty twenty one. But you know I've sent him
(05:24):
everywhere and then you know, full circle. Oh my gosh.
The company that I drove for, SDS, what did they do?
They bought a lot of Yrc's equipment. So I felt
my dad every day when I would see Yellow Freight's
equipment in the yard and I was like, oh my gosh,
(05:45):
that's just Dad, that's the angels, you know. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Yeah, misscarry Scott is with us, the owner and operator
of Trucker John. She's this week's guest on CEOs. You
should know. And I heard Media Columbus podcast Safe to
say it was your dad who inspired you to get
in and do what you're doing.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
You know, I am a daughter of a trucker. So
I remember way back riding with him and getting on
the CB and his handle was Pancake. So I would
get on the CB and break or break or breaker
this pancake Junior here. I remember like it was yesterday.
(06:24):
Oh my gosh. And you know, twelve thirteen years ago,
unfortunately I got a divorce and I knew I said Okay,
let's pull up your bootstraps here. And because I was
a stay at home mom for a long time, and
I knew I had a degree in business management, but
I knew I needed to make a lot of money
(06:45):
and a lot of money fast, because you know, I
was playing ketchup right funding my retirement. So I went
to my dad and I said, Hey, I need to
make a lot of money and a lot of money fast.
I think I'm going to go into trucking because I
was in sales at the time. Okay, for logistics. So
I traded in my heels and suits for a big
(07:06):
rig and boots. And yes, indeed, he said, okay, if
you're going to do this, you know, stay local. And
he mentioned three companies that would be great for me,
and yeah, SD's was one of them. Best decision ever.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
So Carrie, help help us understand or at least me.
Did you buy your own truck? Were you independent? How
did that work?
Speaker 2 (07:29):
So I drove for a company LTL company, SD's Express
here in Columbus, Like I said, great company, great for
female drivers. I drove for them for seven years and
I tell you what, I learned so much, so much
(07:51):
in the transportation trucking business made a lot of money,
and you know, was able to, you know, just stash
away my money. And you know, I just knew that
I had to do something more for the next ten
to twelve years.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Yeah, yeah, you.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Know, but yes, it was just a phenomenal career. Trucking
and transportation is so vital to the American economy.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
It's the fabric, isn't it is?
Speaker 2 (08:17):
It really is, and you touch, I probably brought it
to you.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
Absolutely, that's the truth. Absolutely, And I remember this so well.
What a year or two years ago, Carrie, when the
supply chain shortage was happening, and that gave me a
real education. It probably should have given everyone an education
who isn't in it? Just how vital our truckers are
(08:41):
that and give them some room and give them some respect.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Please. Yeah, that's another story. Yeah four wheelers, My gosh,
I could tell you I got some good stories.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Oh, I bet you do. You should write a book.
That should be the next project.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
My god, you know, yeah, out it. You know four
years ago what happened, But trucking we kept moving, absolutely
kept moving and sties. I got to tell you, great
company didn't lay off not a soul. Wow, not a soul.
We kept moving. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
So I grew up on a farm carry and my
father was a farmer, but to make extra money, he
was a truck driver. So during the holidays I would
get that opportunity to you know, ride with him to
places like Chicago and Denver, and it was it was
drainage tile is what we usually hauled. But there's nothing
(09:42):
else like it over the road trucking, And I know
it's you know, probably some people have their stereotypes of it,
but like what we just said, I mean, they move
and they're always on the move, always.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Always, and you know, I feel like, yes, there was
always a stereotype with trucking. Maybe years ago not so good, right, sure, Okay,
but over the seven years that I saw mad respect
(10:15):
mad respect man, I tell you, driving around this city
south of Ohio, other areas where I drove, you know,
sometimes I would have to say women are better drivers.
And there were times that you know, when you're you're
(10:41):
making a tight, tight turn in this city, yeah, you
know there were times where where four wheelers would you know,
some would get out of my way yea, and some wouldn't.
And then it was like you're making that turn and
it's a height ryron and oh my gosh, I think
(11:04):
I had a fan club just sitting right there watching
me make that turn. And all of a sudden I
saw this one guy gets out of his window and
was like, you go girl. So over the years I
saw mad appreciation kids and school buses, you know doing.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, that was always my favorite.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Oh yes, it was because there's not a lot of
female truck drivers. Yes, it has increased over the years,
but it is so so much appreciation. And of course,
you know when you get out of that truck, you know,
people will look this little, well, this five foot three.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
That's that's what I wanted to know, Gary, And just
forgive me here for a sec, but I want to
describe you for those that haven't seen you, because you're
this small, petite woman, re attractive. So I'm just trying
to I'm trying to picture you getting out of the
truck and what the reaction was.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Well, I'd get out of the truck and my pink
steel toe boots and there were times that no kidding,
I am not kidding. Tight area. I had another Samulian
driver could not hit the dock and the fellow walked
over to me and handed me his keys and asked
(12:29):
me to back in the door. Wow, you should not
be behind an eighty thousand pound vehicle, buddy, if you
can't back into this dock right. But yes, I would
get that all the time, just you know, dock workers
that were standing there watching because they'd watch because they
knew how tight of an area it was. But when
(12:50):
I whipped that thing right on back and they're like, man,
you go girl, he goes. They're like, I've seen people.
It took him an hour to try it back in. Yeah.
So yeah, mad respect, mad respect.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
So how many years total were you over the road?
Speaker 2 (13:12):
Seven seven over, Kevin, And how long.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Did it take you to master, like really master tight
spaces roundabouts?
Speaker 2 (13:22):
So you know, I as when you go through training
through the school and you had to pass that CDL
test and there are some maneuvers you had to do,
like blindside parallel parking. So when you were out there
(13:43):
and the instructor would say, guys, it is just like
driving a car, except you just got this long rectangle
behind you and really you are really driving the trailer.
You're really driving the trailer because you have to know
where those wheels are because you are driving the trailer.
(14:05):
And then after several months you kind of get that
aha moment because it's everything opposite of driving a car,
and it really is. And once you like, oh okay,
because you're really driving the trailer, and once you got
that moment, you know, okay, you know how you know
(14:28):
how wide you got to turn so you won't knock
down you know, a pole on your right hand side,
so you know you got to turn wide and stuff.
But yeah, after several months, you know, you do you
get that aha moment? Backing into places if I've never
been there before, I always always and like they said,
(14:52):
do the goal method, get out and look. So if
you're not really sure, you get out. I'll get out
and assess how I was going to maneuver into that dog,
especially when I've never been there before, you know, because
you you don't want to get stuck anywhere.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
No, are it's.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Not easy backing out of fifty three footer.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
No carry any any tough spots that your daily in
the daily traffic life. Are there any tough areas to
be a driver for an eighteen wheeler?
Speaker 2 (15:28):
So I would say I'm going to share this because
I was new behind the wheel and it was a
moment I wouldn't necessarily say tough, but you know, watching
four wheelers because four wheelers don't respect truckers. I mean
(15:49):
that's we can't stop on a dime, you know, because
you don't know how heavy we are. We know that,
but you don't. So one time, and like I said,
this was kind of new because I was on my
own and I was at a Low's oh Low's, yes,
(16:10):
and I was backing into the dock, you know, just
getting myself in my position, and I had my four
way flashers on, and I know that it was nothing
but God. I know it wholeheartedly, the way that I
was positioned, like in a ninety degree angle and I
(16:34):
was backing up, and I know it was nothing but
God that gave me the right moment. This woman and
a four wheeler went right behind my trailer and I
missed her by inches, and I stopped and I was
because you know, I mean, obviously you don't want to
(16:55):
you don't want to hit anybody.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
No, no, you know, she.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Went right behind me. And I know it was nothing
but God that gave me that right angle to see her,
and I blew the horn at her so bad, and
I just stopped and gathered, you know, because that would
have not been.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
Good, no, and that would have made anyone very flustered,
well and angry.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Oh my god. Yeah, you know, just really a couple
months into your career and nobody, nobody wants that, you know.
But I just stopped and just sat there and gathered
at my composion because I thought, oh my lord, you know,
because you do. We're always driving defensively.
Speaker 1 (17:44):
Yeah, I mean you have to, and.
Speaker 2 (17:46):
You're just gonna have to know what people will do.
But I mean, yeah, I did not see her, but
I thank God for that angle for me to catch
her before I kept backing.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Carrie's that the worst part about driving an eighteen wheeler
is just stupid people, just people not thinking.
Speaker 2 (18:05):
Ever, Yeah, yeah, yeah, I would say, because now obviously,
you know, if I'm with friends and we're driving, and
I'm like, no, you'd never want to ride behind a truck,
get away as fast as you can past us. But
you know, also be diligent and respectful, because again, you know,
(18:30):
we can't stop on a dime. We can't. But yeah,
the disrespect is it's not nice, you know, it really isn't.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Yeah, Carrie Scott is with us on CEOs. You should
know and I heard Media Columbus podcast. She's the owner
and operator of Trucker John's. Let's fast forward, Carrie. Eventually
you get to a point where a light bulb went
off and you had this idea I'm guessing for a business.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
Yes, yes, so so as I try over seven years,
I absolutely love trucking. I did. I love being behind
that semi and I'm gonna tell you it was like empowerment.
You know, you know when you would see people and
(19:20):
you're handling that eighty thousand pound vehicle, people will all say, oh,
that's badass. If I can say that, sorry you can,
but it was. It was like such an empowerment. So
when you're in that semi, you have plenty of windshield
(19:40):
time is what we call it, because you're you're seeing everything.
You can see everything. So over the years, I just
saw exponential growth and Columbus. So one day I won't
name the warehouse where I was making a delivery in
(20:03):
Marysville and I had to use the bathroom and I thought,
oh my gosh, I got to use the bathroom. And
it takes a little while you know when you have
to go through drop your trailer, get your paperwork and
things like that. And there were times that you will
(20:23):
look under the trailer and they call them piss bombs
yeah yeah, which were water bottles, yeah yeah, yeah. So
I just thought, oh my god, I got to use
the bathroom. Am I gonna make it? And it was
just like and I started noticing, like, man, you know,
(20:45):
there's so much growth going on. There's port of bodies
everywhere in this city. I delivered to construction sites every day.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
I was gonna say, is that Can I just ask you?
Is that your number one client construction?
Speaker 2 (21:01):
They will be yes. And events, look what has happened?
Events have come back. There's over fifteen hundred events that
just happened throughout the Columbus area. It's crazy. So I thought,
oh my gosh, I've got to use the bathroom here.
And then I just started noticing, Yeah, there's a lot
(21:21):
of portable restrooms everywhere. And I thought, you know what,
I've been trucking now for seven years, and I thought, well,
I got ten to twelve more years ago, and I'm
just working, stashing money away, trying to make sure I'm
having some fun in between times too, because you know,
normally truckers unfortunately when they retire, it seems as though
(21:45):
after their retirement you hear a bottom dying.
Speaker 1 (21:49):
Why is that, do you think, Cary?
Speaker 2 (21:50):
You know, I mean sad. I try to make sure
I take care of myself so when I'm out there,
you know, if I'm sitting, I'll get out and I'll
start doing some kickboxing. Good good when launches. Yeah, I
packed my lunch every day, salads and stuff. You know,
because your health is your wealth in the trucking business.
(22:12):
So true, because you have to pass a physical every
year or every two years. So I just knew that,
you know, having a strict regimen, going to the gym,
stand active, being physically active was so important to me.
But yeah, as I kept going, I knew that. I
(22:35):
knew I was smart, and I thought, you know, I
got a degree here in business management. I'm gonna check
out this portable restroom business. Started doing some research. Wow, Wow,
what a very lucrative business. Small investment yield, great return.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
Were you surprised to see the ROI were you surprised
to see the investment you'd have to make?
Speaker 2 (22:59):
First?
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Is their return so early?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah? I was so shocked. I thought, you know, like
I said, at that warehouse and couldn't get to a
restroom facility as quick and going back home and just
started diving into the research, writing. I couldn't believe how
small of investment that could yield great return. So I
(23:24):
knew that the money that my father had left, God
bless his soul, you know. I just thought, Okay, I
need to do something with this money. Do I want
to buy a house? Eh? Do I want to buy
some property? Do an AIRBB you know, just I wanted
to create some income, you know, yeah, another revenue stress investments.
(23:49):
You know, my kids are grown now, and I thought, yeah,
I need some other streams of income. So yeah, I
started doing that research and Lowa Maho I put together.
I had a business created, and then I presented it
to my local bank and they took about about two
(24:11):
and a half to three weeks to research and read
up through my business plan and came back and said, hey,
all right, you want to move forward because we like
this awesome and yes, so so.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
They were impressed. It sounds like business.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
They were impressed. And yeah, as of last week, I
closed on my SBA loan. Yes, yes, so that's a
great story. Congratulations, thank you, thank you so much. And
so now I am officially a portable restroom operator known
(24:53):
as a PRO. I like that.
Speaker 1 (24:56):
With regards to PRO, are there things you have to
be certified or with the State of Ohio anything like that.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Yes, absolutely, so you know, and with me being a
CDO Class A, I'm holder, you know, so you're it's
gonna be great for me because you know, you'll have
hazmat I can carry that, I carry all my endorsements
and so hey, you know I can drive my own equipment.
Speaker 1 (25:26):
Yes, this is true.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Yes indeed, but yes, so as I did my research,
I had to take the state exam because I did
not want to just be a rental facility. I wanted
to be on the sanitation side, okay as well because
there's other avenues that I'm going to dive into as well.
(25:54):
So yes, I took the state test, studied and passed
a test. So I am licensed, bonded, and insured and
certified to haul my own waste.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
There you go, State of Ohio, congrats. Carry you said
something that caught my ear. There are companies that just
strictly rent the facilities, and then there are companies like
yours who not just rent, but you you do it all.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Well, yeah, because I'm a numbers person. And as I
kept doing my research, you know, I called the state
and so they said, well, you don't have to take
the tests. And then I did more digging and did
my research because hey, I'm a numbers person, right, and
I found I thought, hmm, well if I just rent,
(26:46):
then who's going to do the hauling and cleaning? And
I said, oh no, no, no, no no, this eats
into my profit. We can't have that.
Speaker 1 (26:56):
That's what I was just gonna ask that would need
in your profit?
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Yeah, So you know, I got so lucky. I found
a mentor out of Newark and he just took me
under his wing because he had his own septic portable
restroom business as well. Okay, and he took me under
his swing and he said to me, he goes, Carrie,
(27:25):
there is so much business an opportunity in this business.
Not everyone wants to do it. Sure, So he said,
I am not threatened by you. I'm going to help you.
And he did, and lo and behold he had a
small pumping truck that he was selling. I thought, oh
(27:46):
my gosh. So he was asking twenty grand for it. Yeah,
I walked in there. I said, well you take eighteen
cash and he took it. Wow. So yes, look at you.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
You're a great negotiator by.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Oh absolutely, but it was awesome. So yeah, I had
a truck that's ready to make money, you know. And
then of course I went and purchased you know, my
units to get started. But yes, once I knew, and
of course watching all the videos going out with him,
watching simple, simple, simple, simple, and I knew that the
(28:21):
initial investment would yield great returns. I'm not afraid. I'm
not afraid to get dirty.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Yeah. So you're numbers person, So this is probably a
great thing to ask you. If you're just starting this business.
Do you have a calculated and maybe it just depends
on how much business you get when you buy these items.
How long will it take you to pay them off?
Speaker 2 (28:47):
So my items, a lot of them, I have already
paid for myself. And to tell you the truth, after
two or three rentals, every thing after that is all profits.
Incredible and that and just insane.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
And does a lot of it have to do with
carry lack of competition?
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Well, you know there is competition out there, but I
think also, hey, you know being a trucker. Yeah, I've
had to go in quite a few of those units.
Let me tell you it ain't pretty. No, it's not pretty.
But where I'm gonna kill it is on the service
because we're missing that. Now, those units could go and
(29:34):
sit at a construction site for months, right, You're just
making money with that unit sitting out there for months.
So yeah, so that's why once I did the research
and saw just how lucrative this business is, it's insane.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
But I feel like, and you're right, a lot of
those units do sit there for months the construction sites,
and I'm guessing this is where your business comes in.
Is Okay, Sure you get someone that will come out
and you know, take care of the waste, maybe refill
the soap. But I'm guessing, knowing you and correct me
if I'm wrong, you probably will go in and clean
(30:15):
it all up, make it poshy, I mean, because that's
the one thing that is missing. No one really does that,
no one. I feel like, no one wipes.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
It down exactly. I'm gonna put the pasha in a
port a potty business.
Speaker 1 (30:25):
I love it.
Speaker 2 (30:26):
I love it that too, absolutely, But yes, that's the thing.
You know, we're we're missing and I like to keep
it clean. I mean, that's just that's just me. Yeah,
you know, so I'm gonna kill it on the cleanliness
because that is so important. I've talked to some construction workers,
(30:48):
you know, being out there, and there were some that
were gonna report that. We're gonna report the pros because
it was just it was filthy, you know, and that
is it's it's the hazardous. So that's why you know,
you have to be certified and licensed and all the
counties that you service, because yeah, you you can be
(31:10):
reported if it's not kept up and clean because that's
a hazard. It's a waste.
Speaker 1 (31:14):
Carrie, I don't want you to reveal all your secrets,
but I'm just I'm trying to put perspective. Okay, let's
say our business, our studio and growing up, my mother
was a cleaner and she worked at a bank and
she cleaned the bathrooms, you know, once a day. How
is it for portable units?
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Is it?
Speaker 1 (31:33):
Do you have someone that comes out every day at
a busy construction site do you? I don't know.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Okay, So basically that unit will sit and it gets
rented on a monthly basis. Okay, That's why I said
usually after the second third rental, everything after that it's
all profit.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
So the thing is it will come with one weekly
service every week. To be honest, once a week is
not enough. Okay, it's not enough, but you know the
company is probably just gonna do the basics. Okay, once
a week.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
Do you pack it like through ported uh excuse me,
through trucker John's? Will you do you have different packages
that you.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
Do where you know, because we are the experts and
you know, we know what the OSHA guidelines are, and
so you're we're gonna have to create the narrative to
that contact person on the phone because like I said, again,
once a week it's not enough. It's not enough, and
(32:40):
it's unfortunately, it's disgusting and it is can be a hazard. Way.
So we're going to create the narrative. And again I'm
going to stand on my cleanliness. I may I may
be a little bit more, but you're gonna get the service.
You know, You're gonna get the service and the posh
service in the concierge service that comes with truck or John's.
(33:04):
I mean, that's just how it is.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
Yeah, do you do you see a time eventually where
it wouldn't cut too much of your into your profits,
where you would go more than once a week or.
Speaker 2 (33:14):
And that's where you and educate the contact person that's
on that phone. You know, I've got some great deals
that we are implementing, whereas that second cleaning is going
to be beneficial, and yet it may save you hundreds dollars,
you know, as I roll out my rewards program. You
(33:36):
know again it's you know, you want to make sure
that according to the OSHA guidelines. You know, your people
out there on that site, you know that they don't
have to endure such difficulties of stuff being sure, you know, wasteful.
I mean, that's let's just keep it real. It's it's
not pretty. It's not pretty out there. But we do
(34:00):
know once a week is unfortunately not enough. But that's
where you're going to have to educate that person and
let them know down the road you're gonna end up
getting those savings when you go twice a week. Yeah,
because one trucker John's name is going to be on
the line. But I want to make sure that we
(34:22):
are servicing our clients with the utmost cleaninists and comfortable
units and again and making sure that I'm killing it
on service and cleaninists, because that's just how it's got
to be.
Speaker 1 (34:34):
Absolutely carry Scott is with us, the owner and operator
of truck or John's. Who are some of your clients
right now?
Speaker 2 (34:40):
Well, I am working with some other radio stations. I
do have quite a few, like churches that are doing
some festivals right now. Okay, and yeah, we're getting out
there and getting rolling. I got some individuals as well.
You know, people do have parties, man, and they yeah,
(35:01):
they don't want people trampling through their homes. You know.
Speaker 1 (35:05):
I laugh, because you're absolutely right. I've been to some
very nice charity events at some very million dollar plus
homes and You're right. You see the port of bodies outside.
They don't want people.
Speaker 2 (35:16):
Going in there, which I get. I get it.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
I do too. I do too that this is absolutely incredible. Carrie.
Would you agree with this statement that some of the
most unglamorous jobs pay the most money.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
I would agree with that statement and also say that
you have to be willing to get in and get
dirty and understand, you know, the benefits behind it. So
I knew as I told you earlier, when I got
(35:56):
a divorce and being a stay at home mom. You know,
I knew I had a bachelor's degree in business management,
so I knew I was always a leader. But I
also know too that I was playing ketchup in the
financial corporate world. I knew that I had to pick
(36:17):
up my bootstraps and get out there. And I knew
I needed to make a lot of money and a
lot of money fast. And I knew exactly where I
could do it because I watched my dad. And so
when I told him that I was going into trucking,
you know, he gave me great advice and it was
the best ever. So some of the jobs that we
(36:42):
don't want to do, you're missing out. You have to
re vamp yourself and I knew it. And when I
was out there on the dogs, I saw so many
women that were so impressed and they're like, hey, you're
driving that big truck. You're making all the money. And
(37:03):
I would always say, and you can too, hunt and
you can too, So I knew that. Hey, I knew
I'd grew up watching being in trucking, but I knew
I was a great driver, and I knew you could
make a lot of money. And I'm a testimony. Yeah
you can. I never driven a truck, but I knew
(37:24):
I was in that family of trucking because I was
a daughter of a trucker. Yeah, and once I once
I mastered driving that thing, it's like yeah, and you know,
and hey, being able to take care of myself it
afforded me the financial stability and financial wins that I needed.
(37:45):
And I was able to, you know, financially take care
of myself and walk in my company office and hand
them my resignation letter because I knew that, hey, I
wanted to make some more money and a little more
control of my time because trucking it is very financially rewarding.
(38:07):
It's a lot of work. You're working a lot of hours,
a lot of time away. Oh my gosh. Yeah, So
I just knew that I needed a little more control
of my time and what by better way of doing
it is becoming your own boss.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Well, Carrie, as we start to wrap up, kudos to you,
by the way with your inspiring story of getting a divorce,
because whether you're a man or a woman, if you
if your job for so many years was to stay
and take her the family and make sure the bills
are paid and take her the kids. And suddenly one
(38:42):
day you find that your world is about to change,
but you did something about it.
Speaker 2 (38:48):
Oh absolutely, absolutely. And I get chills when I meet
other people and other women. Not trying to toot my
own horn.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
You should though your own art, thank.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
You, but yeah, no, I do. I do get a
lot of I get a lot of women that are
just I try to encourage and I'm like, you can
do this too, and and I just feel now that hey,
you know you can do this. You can too. And
(39:22):
I'm out here and I'm doing it. I didn't wallow
and oh woe is me? No, Nope, I invested in
myself and so I just sometimes I hear other women
were like, I wish I had your confidence, and I'm
(39:42):
just I'm just me. But I'm out here doing it
because I know that I always knew I was a leader. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Well, you're very inspiring, Carrie. I have a dirty question
for you, okay, because I'm just curious.
Speaker 2 (39:55):
Clean it up for you. I love me some bleach
and lie and liesaw, Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (40:01):
Carrie, just to understand a little bit better how this works.
You talked about you know, buying a pump truck. Where
where do you take the waste when you take you know,
take care of those units.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
Okay, So I have a seven and fifty gallon waist
pump truck, so I will be able to go. I
would probably say three weeks at a time. Yeah, you know,
before you have to dump. But I will be dumping
and right over off like Jackson Pike. Okay, so, yes,
(40:35):
so I had.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
To So there's a facility there that exactly. Okay, got
to do it the right way, exactly.
Speaker 2 (40:41):
And you know, I have procedures in place for my
field service technicians where they are to upload picture showing
that they've cleaned that unit to my specifications.
Speaker 1 (40:57):
Oh okay, yeah, and you.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Are to upload that picture when you're done servicing, and
then you are to upload a picture dumping, you know,
at the proper waste facility, because that is the only
way you're going to get paid. Because Trucker John's name
is on the line. And if I dare catch anybody
(41:19):
dumping where they should not be, you know, that's that's good.
Speaker 1 (41:24):
That could get you in trouble to absolutely did you,
by the way, did you get the picture thing? I'm
just curious. Was that just something that popped in your head?
Because Amazon does that as you know, when they deliver
a package.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
I know right well, And the thing is that presentation
is everything, And you know, I mean I I like
to take care of myself. You know, I think I'm
I think I still got it, you know. So you know,
(41:59):
pre is everything in Trucker John's, We're on it. And
I can't have anything that's not the presentative of me.
Speaker 1 (42:08):
You know what else just popped in my head? And
you are probably so advanced you've already had this idea.
But but speaking of Pash, I see you creating and
manufacturing your own sense for for what do you think,
you know, pot pourri, peaches? I am strawberries.
Speaker 2 (42:28):
Already ahead of that, you know. And you know, and
also just and taking care of my trucking community because
you know, I'm always going to be a trucker first,
that's the name trucker John's get it. But yes, I
do have some great things in the pipeline for my truckers,
(42:51):
the trucking community as well. You're absolutely right, I got
some great things already lined up for branding.
Speaker 1 (42:59):
Yeah, well I figured so.
Speaker 2 (43:01):
You know, I am going to have a lot of
fun in this business. Wait and see there's TikTok videos
coming and everything.
Speaker 1 (43:11):
Oh that's great.
Speaker 2 (43:12):
You're gonna unleash my mascot Willie. Oh really yeah, I'm
gonna unleash Willie. Yeah. So I am gonna have fun
with this business. It's a little shitty, but I'm gonna
keep it clean. I love this because who is my profit?
Speaker 1 (43:33):
This is the greatest podcast episode, Carrie Scott. I for
those that want more info on Trucker John's, where do
they go?
Speaker 2 (43:42):
Oh? Definitely please check out Trucker John's without theh dot com.
Speaker 1 (43:49):
Trucker Johns dot com. Carrie, full of inspiration, full of energy.
I don't have to wish you the best of uck you.
You do not need it. You're gonna be just fine.
But I'm I'm really proud of you and I'm excited
for you.
Speaker 2 (44:01):
So congratulations, Thank you so much, and thank you for
having me. And definitely do go and like all of
my social media's Facebook, Instagram, and we're just gonna have fun.
Stay tuned as I unleash quite a few of my
characters as well.
Speaker 1 (44:19):
CEOs You Should Know is hosted and produced by Brandon Boxer,
a production of iHeartMedia, Columbus
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