Kentucky-based Mac Tools distributor Joe Hardin started his second truck and second driver in April 2016, and is currently in the process of starting his third truck and driver. Training is going well, and Hardin sees a benefit to riding two-to-a-truck, as one person can take money and the other (Hardin, typically) can focus on selling.

Hardin admits there was a learning curve involved with setting up additional routes, and each truck proved a different experience. Still, the decision was the right one for him.

“I went to a multi-route class; that was the second one I’d been to," he recalls. "The second time I came out and thought, ‘The only way I’m going to make more money is if I hire someone or work more hours.' I’d been through that [working more hours], and I’m not doing that again.”

Setup for truck number two was a smooth process. Hardin got in touch with Dan Robertson, who had been a distributor for 13 years and excelled at large-volume sales.

“Going from one to two trucks, I never missed a beat,” Hardin says. “I hired Dan, bought his truck and ordered inventory at the tool fair in Vegas.” He says starting the third truck has been a bit tougher than the first go-round. But he is optimistic about the payoff. Brad Atwell is Hardin’s second driver and new hire. Atwell’s off to a promising start with a $7,000 average for the first six weeks.

“It’s been a little stressful but I know we can do it,” Hardin says. “I know I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work, so I’m not really worried.”

Ultimately, Hardin would like to keep growing his operation to four or five trucks and concentrate more on managing the business, as well as selling more big-ticket items like toolboxes and diagnostic tools.

He’s laying the foundation now to retire at 55. “I’ve said it for a long time, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make that come true,” Hardin says. “I’ve watched so many people work until they retire and die, and I don’t want that to be me.”