Mentor Spotlight: John Doe on Scaling from Garage to Globe
Mentor Profile: John Doe Experience: 45 Years in Logistics & Supply Chain Superpower: Operational Excellence & Crisis Management
There is a myth in Silicon Valley that you need venture capital, a foosball table, and a Stanford degree to build a massive company. John Doe is living proof that you don't. Starting with one used van and a map in 1978, John built "Doe Logistics" into a global freight giant before selling it for nine figures in 2018.
We sat down with John to discuss the gritty reality of building a business, the mistakes that almost killed him, and why he’s now dedicating his time to mentoring the next generation on SmartOldGuys.com.
Part 1: The Origin Story
SmartOldGuys: John, take us back to the garage. What was the spark?
John: It wasn't a spark; it was desperation. I’d just been laid off from a trucking company. I had a mortgage, two kids, and a severance check that would last maybe two months. I saw that small businesses were being ignored by the big freight carriers. They needed reliable, local delivery. So I bought a beat-up Ford van and started driving.
SOG: When did you know it was going to work?
John: When I physically couldn't drive enough hours in the day to meet demand. I had to hire my neighbor, then his cousin. We weren't building an "app" or a "platform." We were solving a headache for customers who trusted us. That trust is the currency of business.
Part 2: The Crisis
SOG: It wasn't all smooth sailing though, right?
John: God no. In 1995, we overextended. We bought a fleet of new trucks right before a major client went bankrupt. We were days away from insolvency.
SOG: How did you survive?
John: Radical transparency. I went to our creditors and our employees and told them the exact truth. I didn't hide behind PR spin. I asked for time, and I promised to pay back every cent with interest. Because I had spent 15 years building a reputation for honesty, they gave me the time. If I had lied, we would have died.
Part 3: The Wisdom of Scaling
SOG: What is the #1 mistake you see young founders making today?
John: They scale before they nail. They pour gas on a fire that isn't burning yet. They hire a VP of Sales before they’ve personally sold the first 100 units.
SOG: What’s your rule of thumb for hiring?
John: Hire for the problem you have today, but look for the potential to solve the problem you'll have tomorrow. And never, ever hire someone who treats the waiter badly at lunch. That’s a non-negotiable test for me.
Part 4: Why Mentorship?
SOG: You sold the company. You could be on a yacht. Why are you on SmartOldGuys.com talking to 25-year-olds?
John: I tried the yacht. I got bored in three days. The thrill of business isn't the money; it's the puzzle. I love seeing a young entrepreneur stuck on a problem that I solved 30 years ago. I can save them six months of pain with a 30-minute conversation. That’s a rush you can’t buy.
SOG: Who is your ideal mentee?
John: Someone who is hungry, humble, and actually listens. I don't care if they are in tech, retail, or manufacturing. Business principles are universal. If you want to build something real, let’s talk.
Connect with John
John is currently accepting 2 new mentees for Q1 2026. If you are in logistics, e-commerce, or manufacturing, this is your chance to learn from a master who has seen it all.
Apply to work with John and start your journey to the globe.