Roman Shmundyak didn’t intend to start a freight dispatching business. But when other trucking companies kept asking for his help, he couldn’t keep ignoring the idea.
Plus, dispatching was lower risk than owning a fleet of trucks himself — and gave him the flexibility to work remotely.
In episode 622 of The Side Hustle Show, Roman shares how to:
- market a dispatch business and get your first customers
- match freight with truckers that can carry it
- grow your dispatch business and free up your time
A good dispatcher can earn $1,000 a month per client, and can handle several clients at once.
Today, Roman still oversees the dispatch business at Alfa X Logistics, and also helps new dispatchers learn the business at LearnDispatch.com.
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The Accidental Trucking Entrepreneur
Roman’s virtual dispatch business began during a time of economic uncertainty.
Back in 2010, with the real estate market still reeling from the financial crisis, Roman was working in real estate sales. He had the opportunity to buy semi-trucks and he took it.
“I had no idea that it would lead to the realization of my dream of remote work,” Roman shared. But that first truck purchase was just the beginning. He quickly learned that the trucking industry was no smooth ride.
“A sitting truck [is] not only not making you money, it is losing you money.” Between equipment costs, fuel, insurance, and driver pay, keeping trucks moving was crucial. It’s like owning a plane—if it’s not in the air, it’s not making money.
The “Aha” Moment
As Roman grew his fleet, he started hearing a common pain point from other trucking companies: they were struggling to find freight.
Soon his entrepreneurial spidey sense started tingling. There was an opportunity to provide dispatch services without the stress and liability of owning trucks.
“Look, you can operate your trucking company in any way you want. We will just help you secure the cargo.” Roman said. They will keep the client’s truck busy and then be paid a percentage of their gross revenue or a flat fee.
Eventually, Roman focused solely on dispatching. He could run the business remotely, living out his dream of working from anywhere.
He could sit on a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean, serving clients back in the U.S. That’s the “I made it” moment we all dream about.
Getting Started in Dispatch
Roman’s approach to starting his dispatch business was simple but effective:
- Get authority from the DOT to transport freight
- Target owner-operators and small fleets (less than 5 trucks)
- Use load boards to find shipments
- Market services through Google Ads for “truck dispatching service”
But the real key to standing out in a crowded market is the personal touch.
If you are just a guy or a girl and you’re planning on doing it on your own, tell people about it.
“Tell them, ‘Look, here I am, my name is Joe, and anytime you call, I will answer your call. If there’s going to be a problem, I will be solving your problem.'” Roman advised.
This personal approach differentiates small operators from larger companies where drivers might deal with a different dispatcher every time they call.
Pricing and Scaling
Roman’s pricing model is flexible, which allows him to cater to different client needs:
- Flat fee or 3-8% or 5-6% of gross revenue
- Typically $1,000/month per full-time truck
- $1.80-$2.25/mile
At just 5 clients and $5,000 a month, he was onto something.
“At that point, I was like, okay, I know I will be making less money than with a trucking company, but I will also relieve myself of a lot of stress,” he said.
Roman had to get creative to scale beyond what he could handle personally. He hired virtual assistants from the Philippines, training them to handle paperwork and make phone calls. Later, he moved his team to India, paying them hourly.
“I don’t think that I initially had a plan of building an agency,” Roman admitted. “But I just wanted to make my job easier because sometimes some kids would have some sort of events or I wanted to travel somewhere in an inconvenient time zone.”
This gradual scaling allowed Roman to take on more clients while maintaining quality service. He recommends scaling slowly, especially when taking on larger fleets.
“Let’s make sure you like what we do. Let’s make sure we like how you operate. And then we’re going to be adding gradually two more trucks, three more trucks,” he explained.
A Day in the Life
Roman’s typical day starts early with an 8 am team check-in, managing anywhere from 15 to 30 trucks.
He describes the role as “basically an assistant to the trucking company,” handling everything from negotiations and scheduling to billing and paperwork.
He takes 15 to 30 minutes to see what’s going on with the dispatching side of things and only gets directly involved if there’s a problem his team can’t solve or if a client has a complaint.
After work, Roman hits the gym, using that time to listen to podcasts and generate new ideas. The afternoon is dedicated to content creation and other business ventures. It’s a balance that allows him to stay on top of his dispatch business while exploring new opportunities.
Roman explained the two main markets in the trucking industry:
- Spot Market: This is where most independent dispatchers work. It’s for immediate needs — someone who needs something moved today or tomorrow.
- Contract Market: This involves regular, scheduled shipments, typically handled by larger trucking companies.
While the contract market might seem like the holy grail, Roman cautioned that it’s not always the best option for smaller operators. The spot market offers more flexibility and opportunities for independent dispatchers and small fleets.
Challenges and Surprises
Like any business, dispatch has its challenges. Cancellations and unexpected delays can throw a wrench in the works.
The most common scenario is that a load that you have booked cancels. Or even worse, your driver drives somewhere, let’s say for 80 miles, arrives at the shipper, and the shipper tells him, “Well, sorry, the product is not ready today.”
These situations require quick thinking and problem-solving skills to keep clients happy and trucks moving.
But for Roman, the biggest surprise was how he “stumbled into his dream” of remote work. “I did not plan it. It just happened,” he said. This unexpected win shows that staying open to new ideas and adapting to market needs can pay off.
What’s Next?
Roman is not one to just sit back and relax. He’s expanded into education with LearnDispatch.com, offering courses for aspiring dispatchers.
They released the first version of their training course, which they had been working on for the past eight years.
The course draws on Roman’s years of experience, including training materials he created for his own team.
One of the main advantages of this side hustle is that you can learn this skill because it’s not that difficult. What you cannot learn is experience.
Looking to the future, Roman is exploring AI tools to help dispatchers market and organize their businesses.
“We’re brainstorming on how we can bring some helpful tools that would make it easier for aspiring dispatchers to market their business, to organize their business,” Roman shared.
Your Turn to Hit the Road
If you want to learn more about the dispatch business, check out Roman’s YouTube channel, Alfa X Logistics, for in-depth content about the logistics industry. Or head to LearnDispatch.com/sidehustle for a special discount on his course!
Roman’s #1 Tip for Side Hustle Nation
“Concentrate on marketing.”
Episode Links
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Guaranteed inspiration for your next income stream! Enter your email to download the full list now: Success! The big ideas list will be in your inbox shortly. (If it doesn't show up in 5-10 minutes, check spam/promotions.) You'll also receive my best side hustle tips and weekly-ish newsletter. Opt-out anytime.101 Service Business Ideas
