Addon — Scale Pack
Courier Business Scale Pack
Go from 1 route to a $10K+/month multi-driver operation. Every template, script, and system you need to stop being the only driver.
$147
one-time · full access
1
$10K/Month Revenue Roadmap
This is a realistic, month-by-month path from your first contract to a fully managed multi-driver business. Every stage has specific revenue targets, actions, and traps to avoid. No vague advice — just the playbook.
Month 1
Solo, 1 Contract, Prove the Model
Key Actions
- Land your first contract (lab, clinic, or hospital system)
- Drive every route yourself — learn it cold
- Track every mile in a mileage log (IRS deduction)
- Open a business checking account, get an EIN
What This Month Builds
- Route reliability record — your most valuable asset
- Real data: actual time-per-stop, fuel cost, net margin
- Proof-of-concept before you hire anyone
- Client relationship and trust baseline
Focus On
Never missing a pickup. One late run remembered longer than 30 on-time ones.
Avoid
Quoting new clients before you know your real costs. Don't under-price yourself twice.
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Month 2
2 Contracts, Systems in Place
Key Actions
- Close a second contract — referral from client #1 or cold outreach
- Build a written route manifest for each contract
- Set up a basic dispatch log (Google Sheets is fine)
- Document your daily SOP — you'll hand this to a driver soon
What This Month Builds
- Repeatable process that doesn't live only in your head
- Two-contract revenue base to fund first hire
- Written materials for driver onboarding
- Understanding of which routes are worth sub-contracting first
Focus On
Documenting everything now. A process you can't write down is a process you can't delegate.
Avoid
Taking a third contract before you have systems. More contracts without systems = chaos.
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Month 3
First Sub-Contractor or Part-Time Driver
Key Actions
- Post your first 1099 driver job (template in Section 2)
- Run the phone screen and background check
- Execute the sub-contractor agreement (Section 3)
- Complete 2-day ride-along onboarding before solo runs
What This Month Builds
- Your first hour of free time — use it to sell
- Proof you can run the business without being the driver
- Driver management skill (the hard skill nobody talks about)
- Margin compression data — know your real driver cost
Focus On
The driver's first 30 days. High-touch supervision now prevents client loss later.
Avoid
Letting a sub-contractor contact your clients directly. Protect the relationship.
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Months 4–5
2 Drivers + You, 3–4 Contracts
Key Actions
- Hire driver #2 using the same system from Month 3
- Close contracts #3 and #4 while you still have bandwidth
- Implement the full dispatch SOP (Section 4)
- Negotiate rate increases on existing contracts (Section 5)
What This Month Builds
- Multi-driver management muscle — this is a different skill set
- Revenue floor that survives one driver calling out
- Redundancy: you step in, not as default but as backup
- Established rate review habit before it becomes overdue
Focus On
Building the backup driver list now. Every client relationship is at risk if you have no bench.
Avoid
Still doing the highest-paying route yourself. Delegate it — your time is worth more selling.
↓
Month 6
Step Back From Driving, Manage 3 Drivers
Key Actions
- Transition your last personal route to driver #3
- Shift your time to: client retention, new contract sales, QA
- Implement weekly driver check-in calls (15 min each)
- Start business credit-building process (Section 6)
What This Month Builds
- An actual business — not a job with extra steps
- Scalable infrastructure for drivers #4 and #5
- Time to land hospital system contracts (5–10x route value)
- Credit profile to finance fleet expansion in year 2
Focus On
Retention: keeping your 3 drivers reliable and your 4 clients happy is now the whole job.
Avoid
Going back to driving because it's "easier." Every hour you drive costs you a sales call.
2
Driver Hiring System
Job Post Template — Indeed / Craigslist
Use this word-for-word on Indeed, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace Jobs. Edit the bracketed fields. Post early Monday morning for the best response rate.
Job Post — Medical Courier Driver (1099)
POSITION: Independent Contractor – Medical Courier Driver LOCATION: [Your City, State] PAY: $18–$28/hr OR $0.60–$0.80/mile (depending on route type) TYPE: 1099 Independent Contractor | Part-time and Full-time openings ABOUT THE ROLE [Your Business Name] is a medical courier company serving labs, clinics, and hospital systems in [Your Area]. We need reliable drivers to transport lab specimens, medical supplies, and healthcare documents between facilities on consistent daily routes. This is NOT gig-app work. You will have set routes, set times, and steady pay — no waiting for pings, no surge pricing games. WHAT YOU'LL DO • Drive assigned routes between medical facilities (labs, clinics, hospitals) • Pick up and drop off sealed specimen bags and medical packages • Confirm pickups with a quick photo and text to dispatch • Maintain chain-of-custody documentation on each run • Most routes run 5am–10am or 3pm–7pm WHAT WE NEED • Clean driving record (no DUI, no reckless driving in last 5 years) • Reliable vehicle (2015 or newer preferred) with valid insurance • Valid driver's license — no restrictions • Smartphone with data plan • Consent to background and MVR check • Professional, punctual, and discreet — you're entering healthcare facilities WHAT WE OFFER • Consistent routes with predictable weekly income • Weekly direct deposit • Mileage reimbursement on applicable runs • Flexible scheduling — evenings and early mornings available • Opportunity for additional routes as we grow HOW TO APPLY Reply to this posting with: 1. Your name and the city you're based in 2. Vehicle year, make, and model 3. Your general availability (days/hours) 4. A brief note on any relevant experience No resume required. We respond to every application within 24 hours.
10-Minute Phone Screen Script
Keep this open during the call. Your goal: confirm fit in 10 minutes and decide whether to schedule an in-person or move on. Green flags move forward. Red flags end the call politely.
Opening (30 sec)
"Hi, this is [Your Name] with [Your Business Name]. Thanks for applying to the courier driver position — is now still a good time to chat for about 10 minutes?"
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1. "Can you tell me about your vehicle — year, make, model, and roughly how many miles on it?"Green Flag2015 or newer, under 150k miles, mentions it's well-maintained or recently serviced.Red FlagHigh mileage with no mention of maintenance, "it gets me around," or hesitation to answer.
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2. "Do you carry full coverage insurance on that vehicle right now?"Green FlagYes, confirms full coverage, knows their provider name without pausing.Red FlagLiability only, expired, "I think so," or they ask why you need to know.
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3. "Any incidents on your driving record in the last 5 years — tickets, accidents, anything like that?"Green FlagClean record or one minor ticket, volunteered proactively, no defensiveness.Red FlagDUI, reckless driving, multiple at-faults, or "nothing that would show up" phrasing.
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4. "What's your availability looking like — days of the week, and which hours work best for you?"Green FlagConsistent availability, early mornings or reliable afternoon block, no frequent exceptions.Red Flag"It depends week to week," multiple days off needed, or mentions another job with unpredictable hours.
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5. "Have you done any delivery or courier work before — or worked in a healthcare or clinical setting?"Green FlagCourier, pharmacy, lab, or hospital experience. Any role requiring discretion or handling sensitive materials.Red FlagNo experience is fine — but dismissiveness about the healthcare environment ("it's just driving") is a red flag.
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6. "Why are you interested in this type of work over a typical delivery gig like DoorDash or Amazon?"Green FlagWants consistent routes, steady income, values reliability over unpredictability. Mentions preferring a professional environment.Red Flag"I'll do anything for money right now," no real answer, or treating it as a fallback with no genuine interest.
Closing the Call
"This sounds like a potential fit. The next step is a background and MVR check — I'll send a link to your email. Once that clears (usually 48 hours), we'll schedule a paid ride-along day. Does that process work for you?"
If it's a no-go: "Thanks so much for your time — we'll keep your info on file if something changes."
Driver Onboarding Checklist — Days 1–3
Complete every item before a driver runs solo. Do not skip the paperwork on Day 1 — unsigned drivers create liability the moment they leave your driveway.
Day 1 — Paperwork & Orientation
- W-9 Form — completed, signed, and filed before first run
- Sub-Contractor Agreement — both parties signed (see Section 3)
- Copy of driver's license — photographed and saved to driver file
- Proof of insurance — current declarations page, expiration date logged
- Background check result — on file before this day occurs
- HIPAA basics review — 15-minute verbal walkthrough: what they can't say, share, or photograph
- Chain-of-custody walkthrough — show the specimen bag seal, log sheet, and pickup confirmation process
- App & communication setup — confirm they have the dispatch contact saved, understand the check-in protocol
Day 2 — Ride-Along
- Full route ride-along — you drive, they observe every stop and interaction
- Introduce driver to facility contacts — at least 2 facilities where they'll be recognized
- Practice chain-of-custody logging — driver fills out the form at each stop, you verify
- Review what to do if a stop is closed or unresponsive — escalation protocol, who to call
- Debrief — ask: what questions do you have? What felt unclear?
Day 3 — Supervised Solo
- Driver runs the route solo — you're available by phone, not in the vehicle
- Check-in call at midpoint — "How's it going? Any issues at any stops?"
- End-of-day mileage and manifest review — confirm all stops logged, all pickups confirmed
- Driver cleared for solo runs — or schedule a second ride-along if anything was missed
3
Sub-Contractor Agreement
1099 Independent Contractor Agreement
This is a working template — not legal advice. Have an attorney review before use in your state. Fill every [bracketed field] before signing.
Sub-Contractor Agreement
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT
This Independent Contractor Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of
[DATE], between [YOUR BUSINESS NAME], a [State] [LLC/Sole Proprietorship]
("Company"), and [DRIVER FULL NAME] ("Sub-Contractor").
1. SERVICES
Sub-Contractor agrees to provide medical courier and transportation services
as assigned by Company, including pickup and delivery of lab specimens,
medical documents, and healthcare supplies between designated facilities.
Sub-Contractor will perform services on routes assigned by Company on an
as-needed basis. Sub-Contractor is not required to accept any particular
assignment, and Company is not required to offer any minimum number of routes.
2. COMPENSATION
Sub-Contractor will be compensated as follows:
• Per-mile rate: $[RATE] per mile on assigned routes, OR
• Flat route rate: $[AMOUNT] per completed route, as agreed in writing
prior to each assignment
Payment will be issued by [direct deposit / check] on a [weekly / bi-weekly]
basis. Company will issue Form 1099-NEC for all compensation of $600 or more
in a calendar year. Sub-Contractor is solely responsible for all federal,
state, and local taxes on compensation received.
3. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
Sub-Contractor is an independent contractor, not an employee. Sub-Contractor
has the right to control the means and methods by which services are performed,
subject to the performance standards in Section 7. Sub-Contractor is not
entitled to employee benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment insurance,
or any other employment-related benefits from Company.
4. HIPAA OBLIGATIONS
Sub-Contractor acknowledges that services may involve access to Protected
Health Information (PHI) as defined under HIPAA. Sub-Contractor agrees to:
• Not disclose, discuss, or reproduce any PHI encountered during services
• Report any suspected breach or unauthorized disclosure to Company within
24 hours of discovery
• Complete any HIPAA training required by Company or its clients
Violation of this section constitutes grounds for immediate termination and
may expose Sub-Contractor to civil and criminal liability under federal law.
5. VEHICLE AND INSURANCE
Sub-Contractor is responsible for providing their own vehicle, fuel,
maintenance, and required vehicle insurance. Sub-Contractor must maintain:
• Minimum [state-required] liability insurance — full coverage strongly
recommended
• Valid driver's license with no disqualifying violations
• Current vehicle registration
Sub-Contractor must provide proof of insurance to Company upon request and
notify Company within 24 hours of any lapse, suspension, or disqualifying
change to their driving record.
6. BACKGROUND CHECK AND MVR
Sub-Contractor consents to a background check and motor vehicle record (MVR)
check prior to assignment. Company reserves the right to run updated checks
annually or following any reported incident. Sub-Contractor may be removed
from active assignments pending the outcome of any review.
7. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Sub-Contractor agrees to:
• Arrive at each pickup within the time window specified on the route manifest
• Maintain chain-of-custody documentation on all specimen transfers
• Confirm each pickup via photo and text to Company dispatcher
• Behave professionally at all client facilities
• Contact Company dispatch immediately for any delay exceeding 15 minutes
Failure to meet performance standards on more than two occasions within a
30-day period may result in route reassignment or termination.
8. TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this Agreement with 24 hours written notice. Company
may terminate immediately, without notice, for: HIPAA violations, falsified
documentation, DUI or reckless driving charge, failure to maintain required
insurance, or conduct that endangers clients or their property.
9. CONFIDENTIALITY
Sub-Contractor agrees not to solicit, contact, or enter into any direct
agreement with any client introduced by Company during the term of this
Agreement and for 12 months following termination. Sub-Contractor will not
disclose Company's client list, pricing, route details, or operational
processes to any third party.
10. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of [STATE].
COMPANY: SUB-CONTRACTOR:
[YOUR BUSINESS NAME] [DRIVER FULL NAME]
Signature: ________________ Signature: ________________
Printed: ________________ Printed: ________________
Date: ________________ Date: ________________
4
Route Assignment & Dispatch SOP
Daily Dispatch System
This SOP runs your operation when you're not driving. Replace [Your Business Name] and [Dispatcher] with your actual info before distributing to drivers.
Morning Check-In Protocol (by 7:00 AM)
- Confirm driver availability — every assigned driver texts or calls [Your Business Name] dispatch by 7:00 AM with a "confirmed" or flags any issue. No response by 7:15 AM triggers the backup driver protocol.
- Assign routes in Google Maps — dispatcher sends each driver a shared Google Maps route link with all stops in optimized order. Routes are locked by 7:30 AM.
- Share the run manifest — each driver receives a text or email with: stop list, pickup windows, contact name at each facility, and any special handling notes for the day.
- Note any facility closures or holiday hours — dispatcher confirms against [Your Business Name]'s client calendar before routes go out. Do not assume standard hours on Mondays and the day after holidays.
- Temperature check for specimen routes — if route includes temperature-sensitive samples, confirm cooler/ice pack is in vehicle before driver departs.
Pickup Confirmation Protocol
- Photo at every pickup — driver photographs the sealed specimen bag or package next to the facility sign-in sheet or reception desk. Photo is sent to dispatch via text immediately after each pickup.
- Chain-of-custody log — driver records pickup time, facility name, number of items, and their initials on the [Your Business Name] manifest form at each stop.
- Dropoff confirmation — driver texts dispatch "Delivered — [Facility Name] — [Time]" at each dropoff. Log is updated by dispatcher in real time.
- Final run complete notification — driver sends "Route complete — [Time]" text to dispatch. Dispatcher marks route closed in the daily log.
Delay & Emergency Protocol
- 15-minute delay threshold — if a driver will be more than 15 minutes late to any pickup window, they call dispatch immediately. Do not wait until you're at the stop.
- Backup driver contact list — [Your Business Name] maintains a list of at least 2 backup drivers who can cover any route on 30-minute notice. Dispatcher contacts backup immediately upon confirmed delay or driver no-show.
- Client notification script — dispatcher calls the affected facility's contact within 5 minutes of confirming a delay: "Hi, this is [Name] from [Your Business Name]. We want to give you a heads up — your courier is running approximately [X] minutes behind schedule due to [traffic/vehicle issue]. We have a backup driver en route. We apologize for the inconvenience and will have your pickup completed by [estimated time]."
- Vehicle breakdown — driver calls 911 or roadside if needed, then immediately calls dispatch. Dispatch activates backup driver and notifies all remaining stops on that route.
- Specimen damage or lost package — driver calls dispatch immediately, does not contact client directly. Dispatcher follows the [Your Business Name] incident report procedure and notifies the client within 30 minutes.
End-of-Day Close (by 8:00 PM)
- Mileage log submission — every driver submits their daily mileage log (start odometer, end odometer, total miles, route name) via text photo or the [Your Business Name] mileage form by 8:00 PM.
- Manifest reconciliation — dispatcher verifies that every scheduled pickup has a corresponding dropoff confirmation in the day's log. Any gap triggers an immediate call to the driver.
- Incident report — any delay over 30 minutes, client complaint, specimen handling issue, or vehicle incident is documented in the [Your Business Name] incident log before dispatcher closes out the day. Date, driver, facility, description, and resolution are all required fields.
- Next-day route prep — dispatcher reviews the following day's schedule by 9:00 PM, flags any special handling notes, and confirms driver assignments for morning check-in.
5
Rate Increase Negotiation Script
Word-for-Word Client Call Script
Use this to request a $0.25–$0.50/mile increase or $50–$100/month flat increase on existing contracts. Best timing: 30–60 days before a contract renewal date, or after 6+ months of clean service. Do not apologize for asking.
The Call
You
"Hi [Contact Name], it's [Your Name] from [Your Business Name]. Do you have about five minutes? I wanted to touch base on our service agreement."
Wait for them to confirm. If it's a bad time, schedule a specific callback — don't leave it open-ended.
You
"I want to start by saying the partnership has been great from our end — we're proud of our on-time record with you and the team there. We've run [X] months of consistent service and I know reliability matters a lot in your environment."
You
"I'm reaching out because I need to make a rate adjustment. Our fuel costs have increased significantly, and our commercial insurance premiums went up [X]% at renewal this year. I've held our rate steady for [X] months to protect the relationship, but I'm at the point where I need to make a change to keep the service level you expect."
You
"I'm proposing an increase of $[AMOUNT] per mile / $[AMOUNT] per month, effective [Date — 30 days out]. That brings us to $[NEW RATE], which is still below the market rate for this service in our area."
Stop talking. Let them respond. Silence is not your enemy here.
Them
"That's more than we budgeted for..."
You
"I understand, and I appreciate you being direct. What I can offer is to phase it in: half the increase on [Date], and the remainder at [Date + 60 days]. That gives your team time to adjust, and it keeps our service uninterrupted. Would that work on your end?"
If they push further, hold the number — don't lower it. Offer the phase-in instead.
Them
"We might need to look at other vendors."
You
"I'd understand if you needed to do that — that's your call to make. What I'd ask is that before you do, you give me the number you'd need to make this work. I may not be able to match it, but I want to try to find something that keeps us moving forward together. A new vendor transition takes 30–60 days and creates service risk you don't need."
You
"Can we agree on [proposed rate] effective [date]? I'll send a written amendment today and we'll be all set."
After the call: Send a one-paragraph email within the hour confirming what was agreed. Do not wait for them to follow up. Written confirmation prevents scope creep and he-said-she-said later.
6
Business Credit & Fleet Expansion
The 6-Month Credit-Building Playbook
This is the unglamorous work that makes vehicle financing possible. Start this in Month 1 even if you don't need credit yet. The credit system rewards the patient.
1
Separate Business Bank Account + Business Credit Card
Open a dedicated business checking account before you collect your first payment. Every courier income dollar goes in, every business expense comes out. This separation is non-negotiable for credit-building and is your first protection in an audit.
Recommended institutions:
- Chase Business Complete Checking — widely accepted for business credit applications, integrates with QuickBooks
- Relay — no minimum balance, free ACH, excellent for sub-contractor payouts
- Mercury — best for startups, no fees, FDIC-insured up to $5M via partner banks
First business credit card (Month 1–2):
- Chase Ink Business Cash — 5% back on office/telecom, no annual fee, reports to business bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, Equifax Business)
- Capital One Spark Cash Select — 1.5% flat-rate cash back, accessible with limited business history
Use the card for fuel, insurance, and supplies every month. Pay the balance in full every month. Do not carry a balance — interest negates cash back and business credit scores favor low utilization.
2
Build Business Credit with Net-30 Vendor Accounts
Net-30 accounts are trade credit lines that report to business credit bureaus. Three accounts reporting for 90 days establishes a Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX score. Target score: 80+ (pays on time). Required before most vehicle financing applications.
Start with these three vendors — they report to D&B and are easy approvals:
- Uline (uline.com) — shipping supplies, boxes, packing materials. Order $50–$100 in supplies you'll actually use. Net 30. Reports to D&B.
- Quill (quill.com) — office supplies, printer paper, toner, folders. First order gets net-30 terms automatically. Reports to D&B and Experian Business.
- HD Supply (hdsupply.com) — cleaning supplies, safety gear, storage bins for your vehicle. Apply for a net-30 trade account online. Reports to D&B.
Order from each vendor every 30–45 days and pay on or before the due date. After 3 months of on-time payments, all three accounts will be reporting. Check your PAYDEX score at nav.com (free business credit monitoring).
3
Vehicle Financing Options
At Month 4–5, you'll have 3–4 months of vendor trade lines and a business bank account with consistent deposits. That's enough to start the financing conversation.
Option A — SBA Microloan ($5,000–$50,000)
- Interest rate: 8–13% fixed
- Term: up to 6 years
- Best for: used vehicle purchase, equipment
- Apply through an SBA-approved intermediary lender — find one at sba.gov/local-assistance. Requires 6 months of business bank statements and a basic business plan.
Option B — Credit Union Fleet Programs
- Many regional credit unions offer commercial vehicle loans at 6–10% with 12–24 month seasoning (your business just needs to be 1–2 years old)
- Navy Federal Credit Union and Alliant Credit Union both have active commercial vehicle programs
- Advantage over banks: lower minimums, more human underwriting, better rates for service businesses
Option C — Dealer Fleet Accounts
- Ford, GM, Ram, and Toyota all have fleet programs. Contact the commercial/fleet department directly — not the regular sales floor.
- Ford Pro Credit: fleet financing starting at 1 vehicle, dedicated fleet service lanes, priority parts
- Requirement: EIN, 2 years in business (or strong personal credit as personal guarantor in Year 1)
4
Buy vs. Lease vs. Sub-Contractor Vehicles
The right answer depends on your stage:
- Months 1–5: Sub-contractor uses their own vehicle. Zero capital risk. You pay them per mile or per route. This is the correct model at this stage. Do not buy vehicles you don't need yet.
- Month 6–12: Consider buying one company vehicle if: (a) you have a full-time route no sub-contractor wants to take on consistently, or (b) you want to expand into temperature-controlled runs requiring a specific outfitted vehicle.
- Buy vs. lease: Buy for high-mileage courier vehicles. Medical courier routes put 40,000–80,000 miles/year on a vehicle. A lease with a 12,000–15,000 mile limit will cost you 3–4x in overage fees. Buy used (2–3 years old) and depreciate it.
- Best courier vehicles: Toyota Sienna (hybrid, low fuel cost), Honda Odyssey, Kia Carnival, Ford Transit Connect for larger load routes. Target: under 60,000 miles, under $25,000 purchase price.
Do not use personal credit to fund business expansion unless you have no other option and you understand the risk. Mixing personal and business debt makes your business harder to sell, harder to scale, and harder to separate in a dispute. Build business credit from Day 1 and keep the lines clean.