FIXTITLE Raul Martinez.docx

BIG MOVES

Legend Nominee: Raul Martinez

There is a process to achieving success. It doesn’t happen overnight, nor is it awarded to those that give up. It is earned through faithfulness, driven by ambition towards attaining one’s goals.

Success is the feeling you get after climbing an uphill battle. It’s the thought, knowing that you have made it further than your last setback. Success for this Legend nominee means that his children have food to eat and clothing on their bodies. His success proves apparent in the form of a smile on his wife’s face. The relief that they are heading in the right direction, improving their lives one day at a time is the measurement in which he determines success.

Having to earn certain privileges that others may take for granted can make a person appreciate the most trivial conditions. Growing up in a large family, Raul Martinez was fifth in a total of eight children. Born and raised in New York City, his stepfather served in the Army, while his mother stayed at home and was as stern as she was nurturing. Raul later moved to Florida to live with his dad at the age of 13. By 16, through a high school work study program he landed his first job working part-time at Universal Orlando Resort, a theme park and entertainment complex.

Formerly known as Universal Studios Escape, Raul’s commute to work was two hours away. After spending half his day at school, he would take the bus to the park, then skateboard back home. Hired on as a busser or food runner, he was grateful to work any position asked of him. He says, “I was young and hungry for work. It was my first taste of making money and was willing to help do anything. Some days I was a busser, others I was a cashier, or stocked products for concession stands. I’d take whatever was thrown at me. My time there, I feel was basically a platform of where it all came together. I was getting a feel of what I wanted and needed to do with my life.”

In 2009, Raul met his wife, Naomi. The two tied the knot that November. The following year their son, Sebastian was born. Exactly two weeks later, Raul signed a six-year contract with the Army National Guard. When Raul married Naomi, he took on the role as a father figure to her three kids. With the addition of Sebastian, he joined the military to provide a better life for his growing family.

As a kid, Raul had a strong interest in cars, which led him to mechanics. He decided to pursue a career with the National Guard to receive the proper training as a mechanic in hopes to one day open his own shop. In 2012, he and Naomi expanded their household to five with son, RJ. Understanding the value of a motivated individual and the results of hard work, Raul saw an opportunity to utilize his skills and increase his income in an ad from a company searching for over the road truck drivers. At the time, he was working in construction without a means of transportation. His vehicle was out of commission, and the position working as a company driver appealed to him for one main reason: good pay. Once Raul had his CDL, he went to work for that trucking company, based out of Arkansas pulling dry van.

For six months, Raul rode a bicycle to and from work; two hours each way, until he had saved enough money to purchase his first truck. People typically have a special role model or a close family member that impacts their life, with Raul it was situations such as these, when he felt as if he had hit rock bottom. Never allowing himself to stay complacent, he scratched his way back to the surface. He says, “Driving over the road didn’t work out well with my schedule. I had to find a way to co-exist with the Army and also work towards my goal of becoming an owner operator. I knew what I wanted to do, but it goes back to when I was younger… I had to put in the time where it was needed first to get what I wanted.” Staying the course, he switched to local work, hauling intermodal container trailers.

His next move was as calculated as the 3 or 4 he already had planned afterwards. Being goal-oriented, Raul’s every move is to better align his vision that he consistently works toward achieving. He found a company that offered a third-party lease purchase program that sparked a world of ideas. There was a way to purchase a truck and run as an owner operator! He started leaning towards pulling tankers, except this time he was all in. “I didn’t want there to be any reasons that could possibly hold me back from moving forward. So, when I went for my tanker endorsement, I got endorsements for hazmat, doubles and triples, too.” After much research, he was tuned into a tanker outfit based out of Florida that had a regular lease purchase program in place.

The chemical transportation company is the largest bulk tank hauler in the U.S. with a fleet of independently owned and operated trucks. Raul joined the Williamsport terminal, located in Pennsylvania as a company driver. After six months, he was ready to make the transition to owner operator. Founders, Dan and Dave Brown are the creative geniuses behind the DB Kustom Truck Program; who are exclusively partnered with the tanker company. With over 50 years’ driving experience combined, they wanted to establish a program specifically for owner operators, new and seasoned. The Brown brothers have formed a team that offer the mentorship, tools, and resources needed for owner operators to succeed as business owners.

As former truck drivers, Dan and Dave incorporated their own personal accomplishments, as well as the struggles that they endured throughout their professional careers. The DB Kustom Truck Program makes it financially possible for owner operators to drive their dream truck. Offering affordability and counsel, each driver is given the support system needed to achieve their desired goals. Raul explains in detail his experience in working with Dan Brown.

“Honestly, it almost sounded too good to be true. I had the down payment ready, but I couldn’t believe with the caliber of trucks that DB Kustom Trucks has, that I could own one. All of my life I’ve been a risk taker. I’ve had to work like crazy to get what I want, and I still believe that way. If you want something; work to get it and don’t stop there. Keep going! Life is about chances and making big moves. So, I went for it and now my future plans have opened up to so much more!

I remember in the beginning, Dan told me that starting my own business wasn’t going to be easy. That was very true! Over time though, Dan has been there for me with advice, or answers, even when I just wanted his opinion on something. He makes himself available to help, that alone goes a long way for drivers like me trying to grow and learn.”

DB Kustom Trucks is located in Antioch, Illinois where their builds are available at three different levels. One, the driver can assist in the full design of their dream truck, from the start of the building process to the end. Or, the driver may select a truck under construction and complete the design to their preference. And lastly, the driver can own a DB Kustom Truck already designed and ready to drive away.

In January, Raul took ownership of the Eliminator, a 2003 Peterbilt 379. The classic red and black finish matches the sleek interior design, with the perfect touch of chrome added at Raul’s request. He says, “That’s the thing, they’re willing to change the design to fit what you’re looking for in a dream truck. They make it yours, so that you can drive with pride. And I do! I look forward to going to work just so I can drive my truck.”

Raul is currently running a dedicated route that allows him to return home almost daily. Now with a full house of seven kids, Raul’s next course of action is purchasing his second DB Kustom Truck. For 2018, he plans to expand to three, and within five years own a small fleet of ten trucks. As for drivers, he wants to recruit family, veterans, and current military like himself. By providing the stepping stone for others to accomplish their dreams, like Dan and Dave have done for him, is Raul’s way of giving back to the hard-working men and women trying to break through.

“It’s been a huge challenge having to balance everything. Between spending time with my family, being away on the road in the truck, and then working around my schedule with the National Guard. It’s important to me that I spend as much quality time with my wife and kids as I can, and try to enjoy it all. Seeing how much we’ve progressed in life; we went from eating poorly to living good. I believe people fail because they give up. Everyone has the potential to make it. To succeed! You just have to keep pushing and keep taking chances. And behind every strong person is a strong spouse. Naomi has always encouraged me in everything I’ve done. We have made it to where we’re at by believing in each other and making it work.”

Raul describes himself as a person that doesn’t shy away from commitment. He says, “My focus is my family and work. I’ll do anything for both. I’m the one taking loads to places other drivers don’t care for. I’m committed to everything I do, like the military. I signed up for another six years last year with intentions to keep advancing. I’m still young, but that just means I have more time to keep checking things off my list and adding more.” His idea to open a shop that originally started his venture into trucking also remains on the agenda. I have no doubt that his future will lack anything other than what he sets his mind to.

Training in the military has played a major role in Raul’s work ethic. The willpower that a truck driver has to possess often goes unstated. Running as an owner operator who’s just getting started, can also test a driver’s limitations. Raul reveals that being a mechanic has its advantages. His close friend has a shop where he does most of his own maintenance at. He continues saying, although he can do most of the work himself when something breaks on your truck, it can easily set you back. He stresses the importance of remaining frugal in this business. “Especially when you start seeing big money. It’ll make you want to go buy all sort of toys and gadgets and before you know it, you’ve blown through so much in such a short amount of time. Then, your truck breaks down… I’ve had to learn the hard way. And of course, I had to work, work, work to stay afloat. I can’t put enough emphasis on it… you have to be meticulous because without your truck you’re stuck at square one again,” he said.

Having experience hauling flatbed, dry van, and containers, pulling tankers has become Raul’s calling. Before his driving career took off, he would often take Naomi and his kids on the road with him. Together they would visit places they had never been, such as Niagara Falls and areas far up north as Maine; making many memories along the way. Now with seven kids, I asked him what the odds are on how many will follow in his shoes. His five-year-old, RJ enjoys being in the truck the most. Maybe we have a second-generation trucker in the making.

BRAGGING RIGHTS:

The Eliminator

2003 Peterbilt 379

Caterpillar C16 Engine

575HP/18-Speed

Quality Sound System w/2 12IN subs & custom speakers

8IN Stacks/336 Rears

With 70IN Sleeper