24-7 Transport, Inc.

Mr. Barragan, who had been part owner of a trucking company, was willing to start over again, but this time he knew he needed some advice. After visiting the Small Business Development Center at the Weill Institute of Bakersfield College, he came away feeling confident that he could succeed on his own, and determined to start.

Just 14 months after his initial consultation with the SBDC, Mr. Barragan’s company, 24-7 Transport Inc., was grossing over $50,000 a month, and today it’s grossing over $200,000 a month, providing income for 12 employees and numerous other contractors.

“It’s one of the happiest start-up success stories I’ve seen,” said SBDC director Peter DeArmond, who provided advice to Mr. Barragan on his new venture.

When his partnership broke up, Mr. Barragan was left with one truck and zero income. Through his abilities as a transportation broker, he was able to generate some cash flow. Mr. DeArmond counseled him on identifying and focusing on the goals that he wanted to accomplish, and how to develop a plan for sustainable growth.

“I noticed that Mr. Barragan thrived in a fast-paced, deal-making environment,” said Mr. DeArmond. “He loves it and he’s good at it. He needed up-to-the-minute, reliable information on his cash flow. I suggested he could accomplish that with an employee, not a business partner.” Mr. Barragan said he was glad he took that advice. He focused on his strengths, hired a person to help him with the books, and also relied on the support of his, wife, Ada. “She’s been my backbone throughout this,” he said.

Today, 24-7 Transport Inc. has seven trucks that deliver refrigerated and nonrefrigerated items, or “dry” products across the country. Mr. Barragan recently acquired software that interfaces with his accounting program, enabling his company to become a paperless operation. Proof-of-delivery forms are scanned, processed by the main office, and then invoices are sent via e-mail. “Paperwork that used to take a week now takes a couple of hours,” he said. “We really like this system.

” As for the future, Mr. Barragan said his goal is to have a fleet of 100 trucks some day. He also will be focusing more on the brokerage side of the company where the profit margin continues to prove strong – and where he has the most fun.

Mr. DeArmond was so impressed with Mr. Barragan’s progress that he listed him as one of the SBDC’s Clients of the Year during National Small Business Week in April. As for the company’s future plans, Mr. DeArmond said, “If he says he’s going to have 100 trucks some day, I’d be the last person to doubt him.”