Wednesday, October 2, 2013

My hopeful solution to a very sought after service

Hello, My name is Michael Tims. I have been working in the DSD business for nearly ten years. The first eight, I owned and operated  three different bread and snack cake routes. The last being in West Nashville. While I made decent money, the business took my soul and left very little time for my new bride, Kathleen, and our newest arrival, Emmet. Over the years, I had seen what the long years of this industry could do to a DSD routeman. Not to mention, all the missed  family gatherings and functions, reunions, births and more sadly funerals of very special loved ones. Most importantly to me however became; starting a new marriage and raising my first child in a manner to which I feel is sufficient and necessary. The DSD industry, historically,  hasn't been kind to marriages and relationships from my vantage point, anyways. I waited until I was 35 before I had children because I wanted to make sure that  I was mentally and emotionally prepared for the most important task that I'd ever been given thus far. I took a step back and evaluated my then current career choice, and quickly saw where it was not gonna afford me the necessary family time for my budding family. Just 2 months before Emmet was born; I sold my route, paid off some debt, and stayed home with my newborn while Kathleen went back to work. It was a beautiful experience, but I had to figure out what I was gonna do to provide for my family in the future. I pondered and researched an invention idea for a while, but that wasn't, keeping the lights on, if you will. Not to mention, Kathleen was about to quit her job and start working part-time from home to save on childcare. I had no idea what I was gonna do. Then it hit me. I could make myself 'for hire' in the DSD route business. An industry that was in DESPERATE need of a specialized staffing service to provide these guys and gals with a vendor specific employee at their beckon call . A service that works with ALL the different company's routes. I knew guys that hadn't taken vacations since I'd known them. These guys had families too. Kids don't remember all the money you spend on them, but they do remember the time you spend on them. To me, it was win-win. I would offer my service to a multitude of routemen that owe themselves and their family a vacation. So off I went. I spoke to a good friend that I knew who owned a bread route with a different company. I asked if she would agree to train me on how that particular company went about doing pretty much what all DSD companies do ie. order product , receive orders, and delivered product. I mean, we all basically do the same thing: drive the same basic vehicle, on the same streets, schmooze up to the same receiving clerk. I just needed to familiarize myself with each company's product as well as their computerized handheld device. DD not only agreed but she was the first to book a vacation through my new staffing agency, albeit I was the only staff at the time. It's been nearly a year, and business is booming. I've run routes for SIX different companies. I have had the pleasure of seeing some people take a vacation for the first time EVER. It feels good to see folks in this business finally get to take a break. One that they can enjoy, knowing their livelihood is being take care of back home. I look forward to the day that DSD routemen can take a day, week, or even a month off, whenever they want. I am in the process of training other people, so that I may extend currently reserved dates to other routemen wanting the same dates. I joke with people all the time, that wives are the key to my success. Once they see that there IS someone who can run their husbands routes, business will grow exponentially. I offer a premium service. This is my only means of income, and I'm not looking for another career. When you book six months out, I'll still be here, go ahead and buy the tickets. Go out and see those places that you and your wife have always wanted to see. We're only here for a little while.

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