Main Street: Spinning your wheels

Generally speaking, a simple and easy way to start a small business is to use assets you already have and do something you enjoy because it will be fun and it will reduce your start up costs. If you like being behind the wheel then driving for money may offer you an income opportunity with your current vehicle. Becoming a courier, driving a van or truck are several choices to consider when spinning your wheels for income.

Providing courier services while driving your car or van to deliver small packages, messages or people is one option to consider. There are a number of companies that seek couriers through newspaper classified ads as independent owner/operators or as employees. Additionally, CourierBoard.com lists companies needing couriers and also offers you the opportunity to list your services as well.

There are several items you will need when using your car or van for courier services. Make sure you have proper insurance coverage. Before contracting as an independent rep most companies require that you have liability and comprehensive collision insurance as well as additional cargo insurance. And, even though sole proprietors without employees are not required by the State of Ohio to carry worker's compensation insurance some companies still require you to have it or a CERTIFICATE OF PREMIUM PAYMENT waiver which cost $10 for the initial six months in business and $50 for each additional six months in business thereafter. The waiver is available at any Bureau of Worker's Compensation office.

An offshoot of using your car for courier services is to use a motorcycle. This is more common In Europe but certainly can be used in the U.S. This would cut fuel costs but may increase other expenses such as safety clothing that may include a helmet, gloves, boots and a heavy carry bag. Your insurance may also increase.

Driving vans or small box trucks for larger packages also offers income opportunities. Moreover, there are a number of retailers such as appliance and furniture stores that use these delivery services. These opportunities are identified in newspaper classified ads or contact the retailers yourself. If the stores have already contracted out or have their own fleet ask them to consider using your service when they are overloaded with deliveries or during the coming holiday season when getting goods to customers in a timely manner is critical.

Don't want to use your vehicle but still desire to drive for money? Look in the Ohio Statewide Classified ad section in the newspaper for companies seeking people to drive new larger vehicles such as trucks, recreational vehicles, buses and the like from the manufacturer to the end users such as truck dealerships, car and truck rental centers, school systems and municipalities that buy an assortment of cars, trucks and vans. Your income is based on being paid a set amount for every mile driven. For example, if you were paid 30 cents per mile and you drove 1,000 miles you earn $300 and so on.

Further, there are companies that seek persons to drive rental trucks for people that move and rent a truck for one way use. For instance, if someone moved from Ohio to Florida, the truck rental center may need the truck back in Ohio and would hire a driver to drive the truck from Florida. These companies also pay a per mile rate.

A drawback to driving vehicles for manufactures or truck rental centers is since your driving is also one way you need to make arrangements for your return trip or attach a small car behind the truck or RV to make it back.

Did you know that larger companies such as FedEx, Panther and Tri State among others do not own any vehicles but instead seek owners/operators of vans and trucks to deliver an assortment of goods via their expedited service- the delivery of goods overnight or door-to-door delivery in the business-to-business or consumer markets? However, unlike the previous driving income opportunities these companies require a commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate any type of vehicle with a gross weight rating of 26,001 lbs or over for commercial use, including but not limited to tow trucks, tractor trailers and buses, is designed to transport 16 or more people including the operator, or is placarded to carry hazardous materials.

Myfreecar.com is a money making opportunity for drivers who are willing to have their vehicles wrapped with advertisement that pays from $400 to $800 per month for a period of up to three months or longer. They also may pay you to drive a new car with wrapped advertising. To participate, log on to their site and complete the customer profile and according to them they will attempt to match you with a willing advertiser.

Once you decide to pursue spinning your wheels for income, full or part-time log on to the Ohio Department of Development website and click the One Stop Business Center site and download a Starter Kit. And, while you're at it log on to IRS's web site and download a Small Business Tax Kit. You will discover that both Ohio and IRS require that you choose a form of business entity to monitor all business activity. Our options are to be a sole proprietor, form a partnership or incorporate. The kits will explain each option fully. Please note that the IRS or the State of Ohio does not give any breaks for any type of business-to them a business is a business and every business is required to complete certain forms regardless of hours worked or type of business, including a drivingservice.

Lastly, when driving for money as with all businesses keeping accurate records is a must-right from the start. Record all driving expenses such as advertising costs, uniforms, insurance, office expenses, and since you will be on the road constantly its' critical to keep an accurate auto log, toll receipts, and meals and lodging records on an ongoing basis so when it comes to tax time you can claim all business expenses.

Happy driving!

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Russ Panas is the Economic Development Director for The Bellevue Development Corporation and Project Manager for The Downtown Revitalization Grant Program and can be reached at r.panas@bellevuedevelopment.org