I May Unfortunately Need A Truck
Let's Talk Business. No, Like Seriously
Hey Folks!
I hope you enjoyed last week’s conversation with Hasheem Halim! I am back from an adventurous weekend in Southwest Virginia with my Sorensen Institute Political Leadership Program cohort. While I am a Richmond native, I haven’t ventured much west of the Commonwealth but thoroughly impressed with the region’s natural beauty and loving, population.
The 5-hour drive back to Richmond through the mountains gave me plenty of time to think about life as a pretty diehard urbanist. During our time in SW Virginia, we visited a coal mine. Traveling 1, 200 feet underground and 5 miles into the tunnel, I was immersed in the everyday routine of some of the hardest-working people in this country.
I hadn’t thought much of coal being used for steel which we then use for many of the in-fill development projects I write about in this very newsletter. The importance of coal in this country can’t be overlooked yet we don’t spend much time thinking about how it also is used for electricity. With so much talk on EVs, you’d think coal would also be at the center of our conversations but that isn’t much of the case.
I want to reflect on my first couple weeks in business and how I’m starting to reconsider what it really means to be an urbanist.
Shades of Moss Plant + Design has been open now for just under a month. I’ve managed to source plants using my wife’s sedan and ordering most of everything else via suppliers that rely on FedEx and other carriers for delivery. Shipping costs have added up and we’ve run out of plants a day or two due to simply not sourcing enough when out in the growers’ greenhouse. Being car-free has never been much of a burden until now. Where do I go from here?
It isn’t just loading capacity that has garnered this anxiety, it’s also the perception my business may receive when considering prices versus other businesses. I typically have to pay $3-$4 per item in shipping. Standard retail models will then have you add this to the cost of the item, cost of supplies, and overhead before markup. When compared to shops with access to their own distribution centers and fleet of freight trucks, it’s pretty hard to compete in the price wars.
Needless to say, I’ve considered a truck.
One designated for the business, prayerfully EV or hybrid model. I can’t help but feel filthy and guilty to consider a private vehicle again but a conversation with a good friend and fellow urbanist made me realize the core values of the work we do. It’s hard to not play into the war on cars when we don’t consider the mission. At its most reduced point, we simply want to advance multimodal transportation, reduce sprawl by adding density within the city, and ensure safe pedestrian infrastructure for all within the built environment. A business truck would allow me to shave shipping costs as well as protect this investment. We lost 18 ceramic planters in transit the week leading up to our grand opening. Three weeks later, we finally received our replacement in which even some of those were shattered. You can’t sell what you don’t have in stock but unfortunately already have paid for.
This also leads back to other questions. Do you have to be car-free in order to advocate for a world less dependent on the vehicle? If so, how can you share the experiences of those who don’t have access to the luxury of an accessible, walkable neighborhood near bus service? As a business owner, how do I run my business sustainably while keeping prices competitive without a vehicle? I’ve had several requests for house calls and delivery of large plants. For now, it’s simply not feasible.
I welcome a thoughtful conversation surrounding entrepreneurship and urbanism. What does this balance look like? I’m a neighborhood plant shop in the center of a dense district. Share your thoughts and suggestions.
Til next time, cut loose.
density dad is a reader-supported publication covering all things urbanism and the built environment. Topics range from housing and public transportation to land use, safe bike infrastructure, and building equitable communities.
A few thoughts ... if your business is new and cash flow uncertain, I’d be wary of investing in a vehicle solely for that business. Especially with the cost of maintenance, insurance, etc. If you only need it once/week or so, you’re probably better off renting. Carshare may also be a possibility. I see Zipcar is in Richmond, and there’s a location close to you. Places like Home Depot also rent trucks. Rental/sharing is a good way to assess how much you need and how frequently, before leaping into purchasing.
I have previously dealt with both painters and landscapers who do almost everything by bike and trailer. But that relies on having a customer base concentrated in a relatively compact area.
I know it's probably impractical, but I WISH there was a way something from these guys could fulfill your needs.
https://www.instagram.com/carlacargoengineering/