FIXTITLE Aaron Olds.docx
TRIAL BY FIRE
The Story
Of
Aaron Olds
Guidance and authority comes automatic for certain people. However, a natural born leader will stand out from the crowd. An individual that is self-reliant, brave, and willing to try new experiences while multitasking without collapsing under pressure is a notable ringleader. A few characteristics that sets a good leader apart from the group is their bold personality, an incredible work ethic, and most importantly, the ability to continue moving forward; not being easily discouraged. A leader is not afraid of failure. Instead, they convey confidence in pursuing their goals. Often refusing to wait for things to happen. They make things happen.
With leadership, comes a thirst to learn. Constantly growing and believing in what they are doing. Loving what they are doing! When a person is ready to convert their dreams into existence, fuel it with passion and self-motivation, it then becomes reality. In order to be successful it requires doing any and everything possible to attain their purpose. Doing the work that is necessary without being hindered or pushed. Being fearless in getting your hands dirty and understanding it will not always be enjoyable are all notions that come with the territory. For a leader, problem-solving is instinctive and they are known to encourage, rather than direct.
Beginning a new career can be intimidating. An accomplished career requires a ton of hard work and (often) years of knowledge. As we all know, gaining experience through your toughest times is the most beneficial form of learning. It also tends to keep you humble. Failure is sort of like a reminder that tests your patience, resiliency, and character.
Most individuals start off their professional careers at a young age. More often than not, it works to their advantage for a number of reasons. Two being, they have a high tolerance for risk and optimism. And they have the rest of their lives to be successful. The younger you are, the more of a head start you get on correcting errors, learning to adjust, and making better decisions. Plus, in the beginning you’re fresh and eager. Still enjoying work. Time and the ability to learn from mistakes can help determine your progress.
It has been stated that new comers, into any field of study, can point to some type of business experience from their own childhood, which ultimately led them to their current situation. That involvement specifically defined their choice of direction for their future. Whether it is a skilled job that you have imagined performing since adolescence. Or maybe a close friend or family member was your idol growing up and you recognized your destiny from day one.
As for Aaron Olds from Lima, Ohio he always knew that he would follow in his uncle’s footsteps. Raised an only child, Aaron had always been very independent and mature for his age. Growing up, both of his parents had full time jobs. His mother worked at a bank, while his father built school buses at a local factory. The three of them lived on the family farm, owned by Aaron’s grandparents. Fortunately for Aaron, his grandpa ran an AG diesel repair business in his shop, also located on the farm. For over 43 years, he built his clientele list and was prestigiously known for his great work. Aaron says, “All of the farmers knew my grandpa. He was the best around! People would drive from all over. I grew up in that shop and learned how to fix just about everything in there.” Aaron was a bright student and intrigued with it all, becoming a sponge for knowledge. “Since a kid, I’ve always been involved with either trucking, excavating, or being a mechanic,” he said. “It’s all I’ve ever done. It’s all I’ve wanted to do.” Aaron had all intentions in putting his skills to use as soon as he could.
With his grandpa’s insight from a mechanic’s point of view, his dad had a little nudge, as well. During the winters his father would let him ride with him in the snow plow truck. His biggest influence in trucking as a child was his Uncle Earl. Aaron continues, “I can remember standing in our driveway on the farm, next to his truck. I was only three years old at the time.” He described the truck as an old black and white Mack. “He and his truck are the main reason I wanted to get into trucking. Being around trucks was neat for me, but being inside of my uncle’s semi was the best part.” His uncle started trucking by the age of 20, mostly regional. He later retired and now resides in southern Ohio.
Aaron had a typical upbringing, for life in the country. After school he did his homework, then his chores around the house. Once his daily duties were done and the animals were feed, he would spend the rest of the day at his own leisure. He and his cousins had 18 acres of woods to ride 4 wheelers and dirt bikes through. Aaron laughed as he explained how he would decide what he wanted for dinner every night. His grandparents’ house was within walking distance. So he would see what his grandmother was cooking and if it wasn’t to his liking, he would walk back home to eat. Not one day would go by without him finding his way to the shop. “I would see if my grandpa needed any help. Really, I just liked causing him grief.” I hear him laugh again. Somewhat, painting me a picture of how laidback and friendly their banter was in the shop. “We all had a good time. I tried to learn as much as I could from both, my dad and my grandpa. In fact, I was running tractors at six years old out on the farm, working ground. It’s what we did together. For me, it was all about farming and learning how to fix stuff. Any time I had an opportunity to learn more about something, I did the best I could.”
At 15, Aaron started working during his summers for an excavating company. He initially started as a laborer, laying pipe. Eventually working his way up to bull dozing. Two summers in, he was running pan and a bull dozer both. When his junior and senior year in high school came he opted for technical school. He took a few courses in construction equipment operations and services. In these classes Aaron learned more in depth about the systems used in lasers and how to read blueprints. His schooling helped prepare him for several different excavation contractors.
The turning point in Aaron’s career came during a regular day of work. The only difference that day was the weather. Sounds minor, but when you are outside on a rainy day covered in mud from head to toe, I can imagine any situation can grow old, very quick. As Aaron recalls, “I can remember there were dump trucks hauling the stone. Here I was, soaking wet and muddy then I see the drivers inside the dump trucks sitting there. It’s like they had it easy. Right then I thought to myself, you know what? I’m tired of this gig. I’m going to get a job driving dump truck!” He meant every word of it.
Aaron immediately put his thoughts into action. He spoke with a few drivers, asking for help in learning how to drive a dump truck. They obliged and Aaron had his CDL by the age of 18.
He soon landed a job driving for a material company out of Lima. Their main office was based out of Sylvania, Ohio but Aaron wanted to work for the terminal located in his hometown. After his first year, his handiwork as a mechanic landed him in the shop turning wrenches. A year later, Aaron hit his second brain storm. “I thought, I can do this for myself.” With that said, he purchased his first dump truck. He was only 19 at the time. It was a Kenworth T600 6 axel. Six months later, he traded it in and bought a 1995 Ford L8000 5 axel. He ran it for a year and decided to expand. He put a driver in it and grabbed another dump truck. A 1995 Ford Louisville 7 axel. The following year, Aaron bought two semi-trucks, both with a dump bucket behind them. In late 1997, due to the fierce competition with dump trucks around town and the semis not making the money needed, Aaron had to shut down. The stress of the new business, so fast at such a young age became overwhelming. He retreated to his comfortable element; excavating again for local contractors.
Over a span of five years, Aaron continued to drive for a number of trucking companies. Putting in the time and saving up money. He found a good fit with an excavating company out of Harrod, Ohio. He worked there for 11 years, before facing his giant for another go of it. “I always knew that I wanted to do my own thing. I was at a financial position to do it, so I went for it. I knew this time that I was going to make it work,” he said.
Cautious with more experience, Aaron didn’t rush back into things. He met with a couple of local businessmen that owned their own trucks, pulling dump buckets. They all confirmed that the money was good and he was on the right path. After some negotiating, nothing written in stone, but a very strong lead Aaron felt confident that he was ready to team up and move forward.
That March, Aaron made a trip to Louisville, Kentucky to attend the Mid-America Trucking Show. His primary interest was towards the latest technology, trucks, and trailers. While he was there he bumped into Dan Brown, co-founder of DB Kustom Trucks at the Quality Carriers booth. Quality Carriers had two DB Kustom Trucks featured, Cold Steel and Draft Horse. Aaron explains, “I told Dan that I liked his truck and he told me that it can be mine… I was sort of surprised thinking, how does this work?”
Dan and Aaron talked for a while, going over any concerns that Aaron had. Then Dan introduced him to his brother, who is also his partner and co-founder of DB Kustom Trucks, Dave Brown. Dave went on to share more details of how their program works. Later, Aaron made some phone calls to a couple of friends that currently work with Quality Carriers. His questions were answered honestly and helped seal the deal. “That’s how I switched gears. I went from looking for a daycab truck and dump bucket; ended up coming back home and deciding to get a sleeper tractor again and pulling for Quality Carriers.”
Aaron picked up his dream truck, the exact one he picked out from the trucking show, Cold Steel at the DB Kustom Trucks shop located in Antioch, Illinois on May 8th. Cold Steel is a 1999 Peterbilt 379 with a Caterpillar engine, 3406E model 18-speed with 550HP. Custom painted Iridium Metallic and a 63” standup sleeper. He has over 1 million safe driving miles under his belt and counting. He is leased on to Quality Carriers, running a dedicated route for the terminal out of Lima. His loads pertain mostly to Procter & Gamble Co., traveling to New Jersey and back to Ohio.
Now that Aaron is back on track and pleased with his career, with ambition like his one can never be completely satisfied. His plans are to own another truck and have them both on the road pulling for Quality Carriers. Giving a five year goal, Aaron would like to have at least four trucks under his name. He doesn’t shy away from admitting where he went wrong at the beginning. Knowing various types of machinery and how to drive trucks was a no-brainer. All of that was in his blood. The business aspect is what was lacking. He says, “I wish I had knew more about that side of the table. It takes a lot to run a successful business and I knew that I had what it took to own and operate equipment for a company, but I wasn’t familiar with the ins and outs of the other end.” Aaron took that struggle and turned it all around to work in his favor. He combined his entire background of mechanics and trucking with the lessons he learned in the past, and has built himself a solid foundation to grow on. “I was living that entire period of my career, trial by fire… and I wouldn’t change any of it,” he states. He offers advice to others that can relate, but haven’t been able to push forward yet. Or to those that are considering following their dreams, but unsure of themselves. He stands firm in the words of encouragement that he had to rely on; ‘Nothing is impossible if you keep the drive. If you give up, you’re never going to reach your goals.’
His work schedule varies week to week. Often, he is home every night. Then he could be away seven days in a row. He gets the best of both worlds. When he is out trucking, he enjoys interacting with new people. Learning their stories. Seeing different places. Other days, he simply takes in the silence and is able to be in his own thoughts. No distractions, just an open road. At home he has his girlfriend and their two Australian shepherds, Ruger and Texie.
Aaron parks his truck in his grandfather’s shop, on the family farm where he grew up. Unfortunately, his grandfather passed away in 2006. His grandmother still lives there and he is less than three miles down the road. That’s not as close as his house was during his childhood, but still close enough to come over and peak in and see what is cooking for dinner. That farm that he calls home played a huge part in Aaron’s life. The memories made as a family, the laughter shared in the shop, and all of the wisdom gained over the years are all pieces that cannot be bought, taught, or forgotten. They’re all blessings that molded a young dreamer into the successful professional that we all know today.