The Secret To Running a Business While Being A Road-Trip Addict

With the launch of the recent #MBTweetRace by Mercedes Benz USA, everyone is talking about Road Trips. Yes, it seems like all of Twitter has Road Trip Fever.

Now, I’m not so arrogant to say that I invented road trips, but I will be so arrogant to say that I have mastered the art of combining Social Media with road trips. (At least for me…)

With so many people being familiar with the original Social Media Adventure that I in 2008, and the follow up in 2009 I’m getting asked a lot of questions about what I did, how it worked, etc.

One question that comes up often is a very simple one:

How do you keep your business running while you’re traveling across the country in your shiny yellow car?

Fair question, isn’t it?

Some Secrets To Life On The Road

I have a load of Four-Hour-Work-Week type secret weapons that help me keep life rolling along. Here are a few of them:

  • TimeSVR – Not your typical Virtual Assistant… They will perform an unlimited number of basic tasks for you in a month, for the low, low price of $69/mth. I have them research & book hotels, schedule oil changes, car maintenance, and look up directions, etc. Anything needed to keep me driving safely across the country, they can handle it.
    Sign up for a free 3 day trial and find out for yourself!
  • The UPS Store – This one is special because it is how I put money in the bank and pay my bills. :)
    The UPS Store

    The UPS Store - Yes, I Heart Logistics

    • Special Trick #1: A mailbox.
      I have one central mailbox address that I use for all of my checks & bills to come to. I have them sorted and then items are either forwarded to the bank, an assistant to manage, or if they are important enough to need my personal attention, I have them forwarded to The UPS Store in the city that I will be next.
    • Special Trick #2: Pack light, ship cheap.
      I always bring socks, underwear and a cell phone. Everything else is negotiable.  If something I forgot becomes important enough that I can’t operate without it, I have it shipped to me. Considering how cheap shipping is, I probably save money on gas by leaving heavy stuff at home until I need it. (Bumblebee isn’t great on gas…)
      (This was an absolute life saver when I needed a last minute suit & tie for a fund-raising event. The $40 shipping fee took only 4 days from Canada and saved me a boat load of dollars by not having to buy a new suit)
    • Special Trick #3: Signature please! I also use The UPS Store as a notary public when I need my signature notarized on legal documents, etc.  I don’t know for sure if every location offers this service, but I have always been able to find one when I needed one.

These are 2 of the simplest, but they are invaluable. I couldn’t make it happen without them.

Now It’s Your Turn… Got Any Ideas?

As you probably already know, I’m not a genius. :P

I learned these tricks from other people who had already been doing something similar.

Now, as we’re gearing up for the Mercedes Benz Tweet Race to the Superbowl in Dallas, I’m looking for cool new ways to use my support team. (ie: The UPS Store)

  • Do you have any suggestions?
  • How have you used The UPS Store?
  • How do you think I could use it while on a road trip to the Superbowl??

PS – I’m Giving You A Prize! (You want $25 for free??)

First 10 people to provide a thoughtful suggestion on how I can use The UPS Store in the #MBTweetRace road trip to Dallas will get a $25 gift card to spend as you wish.

All you have to do is leave a comment below and then send me a tweet with your idea!

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  • Michellesedas

    Wow! What great ideas! I love those special tricks!

    My suggestion: You’ll have so many fun souvenirs from doing stuff with me while you’re in Dallas that you’ll need UPS to ship them *back* home.

    PS: I’m donating my gift card to my favorite Canadian.

  • Anonymous

    Michelle totally snagged my suggestion! I think it’s the female in us. Ha.

    Another great suggestion would be, uh, well shoot.

    Well, you could always pop in and have them print & bind a daily “driving butt” memory book…I’ve obviously got nothing.

  • http://twitter.com/deeFSU dee

    It’s important to stay healthy and fit while on the road. Unfortunately shoes, extra running clothes, yoga mat, road bike, helmet, etc take up a lot of luggage room. When traveling I ship my workout gear ahead of me to my hotel. Most hotels will sign for packages as long as you have an upcoming reservation and will store them until your arrival.

  • lv2Bsnwbrdn

    Hey Joseph! How about this one? Ship most of the clothes, gifts, gear and what not that you will use in Dallas through UPS so that when you get to your destination you don’t have to unload sooo much stuff. Then you can head straight to the bar upon arrival. PLUS…you’ll be able to pack more roadies of your liking to accompany you!

  • http://twitter.com/JMHaughey Jaime Haughey

    A comfy pillow and a blanket!
    You can send some t-shirts through UPS from places you visit. . .

  • Patricia

    I have used the computer/printing feature, You could design a flyer/pamphlet or other printed material needed for a presentation etc, & have it sent to the UPS store at your destination for printing.

  • http://twitter.com/classygirl Ms. A

    Sounds like got it all figured out. I don’t really have any tips but this was an interesting post to read. :)

  • http://twitter.com/JefGolden Jef Golden

    I also do a great deal of travel (though not always by car) and I use The UPS Store for many of the same services as you have discussed.

    As I am usually pressed for time I found a little trick.

    By creating a house account with The UPS Store and adding people I know and trust all over the country (especially in cities I visit often) into a “Group”. Those people are able to do business on my behalf at whatever UPS Store is in their area. I have had packages picked up by group members who then meet me at say a truckstop along my route when driving or sometimes I have had someone meet me at a lay-over airport.

    I group together my house account group members into contact lists on my laptop & iPhone so that I can send out a message requesting someone to complete whatever business and meet me at whatever location along my journey.

    I once even managed to lose my luggage containing both my wallet and passport while in Canada and was able to have all my documentation (faxed) brought to me (again by a house account group member) while I was at the border immigration office.

    There’s a lot of other ways this is useful, but you get the idea. By using these groups I have saved myself a lot of time and money.

  • http://twitter.com/entrecon Kip Ferguson

    Instead of doing one delivery, how about several. Small Packages shipped to two or three destination along the way. At each stop, mail dirty clothes and souvenirs back home. Keep the car travel roomy and light. Also helps keep things from breaking by being jammed into a corner or stepped/slept on.

  • http://twitter.com/entrecon Kip Ferguson

    Instead of doing one delivery, how about several. Small Packages shipped to two or three destination along the way. At each stop, mail dirty clothes and souvenirs back home. Keep the car travel roomy and light. Also helps keep things from breaking by being jammed into a corner or stepped/slept on.

  • Erynn Vermette

    My suggestion was to use UPS for printing needs, flyers, brochures or anything you need :)

  • OrionGirl73

    I wish I could help you out with a brilliant suggestion but I use UPS to buy my stamps and pick out cute envelopes…that’s all I’ve got! Have fun!

  • Barbara Nixon

    Lots of great tips here! Another idea is to go to a UPS Store in Dallas to ship home all your luggage, rather than paying the airline to check a bag or two. It will cost you less, and you can track it. Plus the UPS Store has luggage-sized boxes, so your luggage will be better protected than on a commercial airliner. Good luck with your bid for the #MBTweetRace. (I’m hoping to compete, too.)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Jef, great ideas… send me your mailing address and I will get that gift card sent out to you. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Great ideas Anthony. Send me your mailing address and I’ll send that gift card out to you. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Thanks Barbara. Send me your mailing address and I’ll send that gift card out to you. And good luck in the #MBTweetRace!

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Love the idea about sending dirty laundry… excellent! Send me your mailing address and I’ll send that gift card on it’s way. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    You are way cool. Send me your mailing address anyway… Please! :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Points for creativity… sorta. lol
    Send me your address and I’ll get that gift card sent your way. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    You are way cool… I got a new pillow for Christmas!
    Send me your mailing address and I’ll send that gift card out to you. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Thanks Patricia, send me your mailing address and I’ll send that gift card out to you. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Well, send me your address and I’ll hook you up. :)

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Sometimes the simple answer is the right answer. :) Send me your mailing address and I’ll send that gift card out to you!

  • Joseph Ranseth

    Love the input, thanks for contributing Dee. Send me your address and I’ll get that gift card sent out to you. :)

  • http://twitter.com/Childhood Kelly Loubet

    Fantastic post! I hadn’t even thought of using the mailbox system at The UPS Store in this way! You’re such a pro. :p I think that you are pretty close on when you say you invented the sm road trip… but Jess @shuggilippo and I, invented the mommy sm road trip. *high five*

  • Barbara Collins

    Great suggestions. This is probably too late, but I had an idea. Football games are all about tailgating too so if you are planning on doing that before the game why not use the UPS store to ship your frozen foods up in an ice chest instead of wasting the baggage fee at the airport. All your decorations, folding chairs and tables can be packed as well. Just a thought. I am on the road a lot so never thought about using the UPS store like you have. Thanks
    Barbara Collins†
    @madreminutes
    http://madreminutes.blogspot.com

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