Get All Access for $5/mo

Is a letter of credit from our bank enough to start a freight broker business?

By Nina Kaufman

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Should our banker fill out the necessary form with the letter of credit, or are we required to have a bondsperson handle it after we receive the letter of credit?

It's not clear what form you�re talking about, as this is a business that requires a number of different forms.

There's a lot that goes into starting a freight broker business, not the least of which is ensuring that you have a substantial enough line of credit to be able to pay your carriers even before you're paid by the shippers.

Make sure you surround yourself with a solid team of advisors--for insurance, record-keeping (the Code of Federal Regulations specifies the records you need to maintain), legal issues and, especially, banking. They should be able to help you create a smooth system for operations.

Nina L. Kaufman, Esq. is an award-winning New York City attorney, edutainer and author. Under her Ask The Business Lawyer brand, she reaches thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners with her legal services, professional speaking, information products, and LexAppeal weekly ezine. She also writes the Making It Legal blog.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

How to Connect With Buyers and Get Your Products on Store Shelves, According to the Founder of Daring and Cadence

Ross MacKay, founder and original CEO of the plant-based food company Daring Foods and co-founder of performance beverage brand Cadence, shares the strategies that have landed his products in over 40,000 stores nationwide.

Growing a Business

Being a Good Manager Isn't Enough — Here Are 5 Leadership Skills That Will Keep Your Employees Around

The article outlines five key leadership skills — engagement culture, effective staffing strategies, AI utilization, shared team reality, and work-life balance — that can improve team performance and reduce turnover, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

Starting a Business

'Wait, I Have to Pay to Donate to You?' How Nonprofits Are Flipping the Script With 'For Profit' Strategies to 10X Their Impact

Spiraling donations and outdated dogmas around fundraising and operating costs have left many charities struggling to stay afloat. Some are trying new strategies to make money.

Business Solutions

Amp up Productivity with MS Office 2021 for Just $60

Unlock the full potential of your business with a lifetime license to the suite of beloved apps.

Leadership

Joe Biden's Job Is Finished, Now What? Lessons and Cautionary Tales About Life After Power From Former Presidents.

In the book, "Life After Power," author Jared Cohen examines seven presidents' search for purpose after leaving the White House.

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.