Freight 360

Stephen Ruhe & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: ✅ Insurance and surety bond requirements for starting a freight brokerage in Florida 📦 How brokers find loads and the role of load boards vs. direct shippers 🚫 Handling the "we only work with asset-based carriers" objection Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Fr...

🎧 This Freight 360 episode explores winning brokerage strategies, industry risks, and economic shifts. -Securing more freight through strong communication and customer value -FMCSA identity verification changes and rising fraud concerns -Tariffs, safety budget cuts, and their economic impact -Tech, AI, and personal productivity tips for brokers Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: 📦 Are load boards enough? — Can brokers actually find spot market loads directly on load boards, or do they first need to secure customers independently and then post the freight? 📞 Cold call math — Out of 80 outbound calls, how many typically answer on the first try? And how many return the call later? 🔁 From sa...

In this episode of Freight 360, we’re joined by Ken Adamo , Chief of Analytics at DAT, and Marcus Womack , CEO and Co-founder of Outgo, to break down the current freight market and DAT’s recent acquisition of Outgo. We discuss how this move enhances payment speed, transparency, and financial control for carriers. Topics include challenges like capacity constraints and high operating costs, plus ho...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: Freight Broker Certificate Courses Canceling a Freight Brokerage Start-Up Covering Step Deck Loads AI for Freight Brokers Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial: Click Here DAT One - Brokers & Carriers: Click Here to get 10% off your first year! DAT Outgo Factoring...

In this episode of Freight 360, we cover key issues in freight and trucking—from 4% of truckers being unlicensed to low freight volumes and economic pressures. They break down double brokering vs. interlining, highlight fraud and safety risks, and explore challenges in trailer rentals, bids, and project management Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Tri...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: MC Authority Delay? New brokerage struggling on DAT — is 1.5 years to gain traction legit? Broker Contracts Help Lawyer vs. templates — what’s best for new logistics brokerages? Insurance Needed Hard time raising liability to $2M? Here's where to look. Cameron Pechia: Cameron@AllLinesInsure.com Support Our S...

This episode exposes real cases of internal fraud at freight brokerages—from agents moving loads under fake approvals to inflating commissions and abandoning contracts. Learn how to protect your business with better system controls, document checks, and shared account access. Plus, hear how China’s tariff cuts could shake up freight volumes—and who’s liable when customers don’t pay. Support Our Sp...

In this second segment of 2 part episode, attorney and law professor Matthew Leffler joins the hosts to unpack key legal issues in trucking. They cover non-compete agreements, broker transparency, driver safety, shipper-broker contracts, and recent cases like Werner and Wabash. Leffler shares insights on legal risks, evolving regulations, and how automation could reshape the industry—emphasizing t...

In this first segment of 2 part episode, attorney and law professor Matthew Leffler joins the hosts to unpack key legal issues in trucking. They cover non-compete agreements, broker transparency, driver safety, shipper-broker contracts, and recent cases like Werner and Wabash. Leffler shares insights on legal risks, evolving regulations, and how automation could reshape the industry—emphasizing th...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: 🔍 Why brokers request carrier inspections 🧑‍💼 Is Landstar a good choice for agents? 📦 Best load boards for freight brokers Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial: Click Here DAT One - Brokers & Carriers: Click Here to get 10% off your first year! DAT Outgo Fact...

Poor email habits can cost you customers. In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of professional email communication for freight brokers and why it matters more than you think. 🔹 Write clear, purpose-driven messages 🔹 Use subject lines and recipient lists effectively 🔹 Repackage sloppy carrier emails before forwarding 🔹 Always follow up calls with confirmation emails 🔹 Avoid costly m...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: Is there a platform where brokers can bid on available freight shipments? What should I do if someone is fraudulently using my MC number to book loads? I'm getting started as a broker, but people say I can't compete with the big guys—any advice? Responding to claims that brokers are "parasites" a...

When it comes to vetting motor carriers, each freight broker has their own preferences on what to look for and what to avoid. In this episode, we're opening the hood on our own personal rule sets that we use when selecting motor carriers. Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial: Click Here DAT One - Brokers & Carriers: Click Here to get 10% o...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: Should I be using an official quote form when sending pricing to a customer? Is it realistic to earn $1 million a year as a cradle-to-grave rep handling mostly LTL with 25% commission? When managing LTL and FTL with FedEx and UPS, should I explore alternative shipping options beyond current contracts? Support Our Sp...

In this episode of Freight 360, the hosts break down freight brokering basics with a focus on carrier selection and fraud prevention. They cover how the current economy affects the industry, share a global outlook, and dive into a real case of identity theft. Key takeaways include best practices for vetting carriers, staying ahead of fraud tactics, and the value of training and education in spotti...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: What's the biggest challenge brokers face when it comes to shipping freight? How to find bulk carriers and handle washout requirements. GPS tracking issues: Why isn't it pinging every 30 minutes like it should? Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial: Click He...

Ever wonder why some freight brokerages thrive while others constantly struggle with cash flow problems? The answer lies in mastering the fundamentals that many brokers overlook. In this eye-opening episode, we explore the critical but often neglected basics that make or break your brokerage operation. We share real stories of brokerages that generated impressive revenue on paper but collapsed whe...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: 🔍 How to find the right companies to prospect — and who to contact once you do ⛽️ How to calculate fuel surcharge when quoting a customer 🙈 What blind shipments are and why shippers use them Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial: Click Here DAT One - Brokers &...

🚚 In this episode, we cover: ⏱ What accessorial charges are (detention, layovers, TONU, lumpers & more) 📄 How to document charges and avoid disputes 📉 Real-world examples of how mishandling accessorials hurts profits and relationships Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial: Click Here DAT One - Brokers & Carriers: Click Here to get 10% off...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: 📞 What does “100 calls per day” really mean—total dials or the number of companies contacted? 🚫 Is there a way to get more customers without cold calling? What can a new broker do after struggling with outreach? 💸 When does a shipper typically pay a new brokerage, and how do you cover the carrier payment before y...

Profits can vanish fast when brokers cut corners. Nate kicks things off with a wild National Guard story from inside New York prisons, then we dive into real-life brokerage disasters: a $50K trailer fail, insurance loopholes that killed claims, and a rejected tanker load no one wants to touch. If you’re in freight, these lessons could save your business. Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here Oper...

Nate Cross & Ben Kowalski answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: Does Your Business Name Matter? – Should you change “Transportation” to “Logistics” when you become a broker? Cold Calling 101 – How to approach shippers as a new broker and what your outreach should sound like. Finding Carriers When You’re New – Strategies to build carrier relationships, even when you lack a credit...

Get 10% off a Year of DAT: Click Here 🔹 DAT Features – Explore qualification settings, company profiles, and market insights. 📊 Leveraging Data Analytics – Use tools like Benchmark & LaneMakers to optimize operations. 📈 Navigating Market Shifts – Learn how seasonal changes impact capacity and pricing. 💰 Boosting Profitability – Improve decision-making with real-time carrier performance tra...

Ben & Stephen answer your freight brokering questions and discuss: Prospecting as a New Broker – Key advice for getting started and landing shippers. Using the BOL for Leads – How to leverage Bills of Lading to start conversations. Building Carrier Trust – Overcoming factoring issues and earning credibility. Support Our Sponsors: Togo: Click Here OperFi: Click Here QuikSkope - Get a Free Trial...