I just want to ramble today:) So I have been searching for a vehicle wrapping company$$$ and a contractor. I don't know how I feel about this process. I really thought once I got the truck the rest would be easy. The verdict is still out on that thought. lol. I just really want my truck up and running. Now when I'm in a funk or when I get that anxious feeling like I need my truck like an addict needs their fix, what do I do... I stalk. lol yes I think I know 90% of the mobile boutiques(fashion trucks) out there. I go to their facebook pages, ig, google pictures of the trucks. I can't help it, that's how much I love the idea of owning one. It's not an easy process so I commend all my ladies and gents who tackled this goal. I just love their dedication and the creativity they put into their trucks.Some of my favorite ones are pictured below.

**F.Y.I**** this is actually a old draft from Jan/2015 I decided to post.

What Type of Truck Should You Purchase

I still don't know the answer to this. I've come to the conclusion that it depends on the person and what your plans and goals are for your truck. But here are some things I thought about.

1. Diesel vs. Gas

2. New vs used and used vs super old:)

3. What size truck do you want? 12 ft, 14ft, 16ft, 18ft, 20ft, 22ft. I wanted an average size 16ft or 18ft. I didn't want too small as I needed room for a lot of merchandise but I didn't want it so big I would be really scared to drive it.

4. Is there a particular shape you want?

boxie. front is a little rounded.

5. Do you prefer a certain type of door. Barn doors or roll up doors?
 barn doors

 roll up
6. Do you care if their are shelves in the inside already. (This mattered to me, but may not to most)

7. Manual vs. Automatic

8. Do you want a van, box truck step van, school bus, a pull trailer or RV. I've seen mobile boutiques in quite a few things. If you can imagine it you can do it.

09. What's the max mileage you can deal with. (one mechanic told me mileage doesn't matter just depends on up keep of truck) lol don't know how much I believe this.

10. Do you want to find one with AC or generator installed already (most of the ACE tools ones have ac and generator options already)

Steps To Take To Start The Process

1. Finding a mechanic if you don't already have one. Someone suggested to me to use a mobile mechanic and that's what I ended up doing. It can be expensive depending on the mechanic and the distance they have to travel. To go 1 hr and 20 mins one mobile mechanic was going to charge me $250 (which I think is fair considering gas and labor) but that wasn't in my budget. I found an mechanic that charged me $85

2. Finances. How much money do you need and where will you be getting the money from?

3. Is it a market for a mobile boutique in your area?

4. What are the laws in your area for mobile boutiques?

5. Where will you park the truck?

6. What will your monthly expenses be? Gas, insurance, internet connection, vendor fees.

This is just a few things I considered. I will add more if it later comes to me.

And the journey continues

I've been talking with a vehicle wrap company. From doing my research I knew this process would be expensive:( But hey it has to be done and I want my truck to represent my brand in the best way possible. I'm nervous about the large expense but excited because it's progress. I'm now waiting on the contractor to  respond to my email and hopeful I can get an estimate on the cost of the renovation of the truck soon! Yes I am most excited about this. Man I can't wait to the day when I will be in my boutique ringing up orders! Yes yes yes! I get so excited at the thought.

Sketching how I want the inside of the truck to look. Still a work in process.

Things I Wish I Would Have Known

1. That I would have to pay so much to title the truck. An expense I hadn't thought about. The price of the title is a percentage of what you paid for it and a processing fee.

2. That I would have known all the things wrong with the truck before I bought it. I normally had my mechanic write up a list of stuff wrong with the trucks and for some reason I didn't do it with the truck I bought. If I would have known the lock on the back door was broke, gas cap broke, rusted mirror, faulted mechanic piece. I would have negotiated for a lesser price. Now at the end of the day I was buying the truck regardless so I have no major regrets:)

3. The insurance company estimates the value of the truck. Helps you when figuring out what you should pay for truck. Prices varied so much with different trucks and basically who was selling them. Kelly blue book does not do commercial vehicles but I did see a company that does but I didn't' use them.

*This is it for now. I may add stuff as I learn and go along here

Things To Ask Yourself About Becoming A Trucker:)

This list is not in any particular order. I'm sure there are things that I haven't thought about that should be listed. Feel free to leave comments if there is something I didn't think about! That's what this blog is for to help each other.

1. Find a mechanic. This is really important as you will need one to look at the truck for you. I don't know anything about automobiles. I suggest that if you are searching out of your living area to find a mobile mechanic. Yes they have them! I actually lost out on two trucks because I couldn't find a mechanic to go look at the vehicles for me.

2. Where do you want to set up at and what type of events do you want to do? The sky's the limit and it all depends on your imagination and creativity.

3. Are you going to drive the truck?

4. What's your brand what do you want the mobile business to say about you?

5. What do you want your inside to look like?

6. What do you want the outside to look like?

7. How much do you want to spend, what's your budget?

8. Is this a short term or long term goal