Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Brinkworth.
Hi Brian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Brinks Auto Transport LLC was founded in August of 2020. It originally started out as a side hustle while I was still currently employed with Publix Supermarkets as an Assistant Store Manager. I always had a trailer for hauling my personal vehicles as a hobby. Hauling my cars to and from shops, building cars, racing at the race track in Gainesville, and going to car shows. Slowly friends and family started needing vehicles transported and I figured there was a market for transporting vehicles. I took everything I learned in the customer service business with Publix and worked that into my transport company. I decided to retire from Publix after 17 years of employment and take on Brinks Auto Transport LLC head on.
I quickly got into a unique market hauling Japanese vehicles (JDM) coming straight from Japan to the Jacksonville ports and focused mainly on that market. Offering a premier JDM transport service ; picking up JDM vehicles from Jaxport and delivering them to the customers door. Providing detailed pictures once the vehicle has been picked up, letting the customer know how the vehicle looks and runs, and staying in direct communication with the customer from time of pick up to drop off. Always giving the customer an accurate ETA for delivery time and keeping them updated along the trip.
Once I got use to the ins and outs with the Japanese market, making connections with exporters/importers, Brokers, dealers etc I quickly realized that individuals purchasing these vehicles were still unsure of the paper work and process involved to getting their JDM registered and titled here in FL to make them street legal. USA has a 25 year rule when imported out of country vehicles. The vehicle has to be at least 25 years old to legally import and title/register in the states. I quickly started making connections with DMVs so I could figure out how to better help my customers in ensuring a smooth process from the time the vehicles arrived at the Jaxport and how to title them in the customers name before delivering them to the customers door. Titled with a state of FL title in hand. Japan—>USA—> delivered to door with title in hand. The premier transport service.
And that’s what sets me apart today from almost anyone in the JDM transport market here in the state of FL. Customers reach out to me months in advance before they purchase a vehicle from Japan. It takes approximately two months to arrive on a vessel once it leaves Japan and arrives in Jacksonville. During that shipping time I communicate with customers, assist them with the process, and answer any questions they have. I also help educated them in making the decision before purchasing a vehicle site unseen online. And once they purchase it what other steps are involved before it arrives in the states and how to get their “new” vehicle street legal here in the states.
Brinks Auto Transport LLC is locally owned and is an owner operator transport business. We operate with single car hauler trailers, multi car hauler goosenecks, and enclosed trailer services available. I started hauling local vehicles to get my name out there and quickly moved into the JDM market. Hauling Nissan Sklyine’s, Toyota Supra’s, Honda NSX’s, Honda Civic Type R’s Integra Type R’s, Mazda RX7’s Mini trucks/vans etc. Every car enthusiast’s 1990’s childhood JDM dream cars somehow found their way on my trailers.
My lifelong hobby and passions for cars transformed into a dream job.
I find myself still reflecting back on the career I once had and where I’m at now. I’m very thankful for my families support through my transition from Publix Assistant Store manager to believing me with this new entrepreneurial hustle. I now make my own schedule, spend more time with my wife and kids, and determine my own future. The more hard work and passion you put into anything you do in life, the better the outcome and results. You just have to believe in yourself to make that leap of faith. The rest is history.
Brinks Auto Transport LLC is fully license and insured.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There will always be struggles working for yourself. Nothing good in life comes easy.
The biggest struggle is over committing to jobs because you don’t want to say no. It’s a wonderful thing to stay busy weeks in and weeks out. But at some point it takes a toll on your body. Because staying “work” busy is one thing. And being busy in your personal life is another. Life still goes on outside of any job you do. I need to dig deep at times to still have the energy to be a great dad and loving husband. Being present in life is important. Which is why I left my retail career in the first place. So I remind my self often to take a deep breath, take a step back, and enjoy family time.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Social Media has been a big component of how I collaborate and work with others.
I work with a handful of other local drivers and transporters. We offer support for one another. We reach out to one another when times get busy and we have customers to take care of.
I find myself in a dispatcher role at times giving runs and loads to other local drivers when I’m to busy to do it myself.
Everything I do is word of mouth. I use Facebook and instagram to promote my business. I’m am involved in many JDM pages on social media. When someone inquires about a service, my company name often comes up and customers soon reach out with questions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinks_auto_transport_llc?igsh=cTBuYm42bjZwMGRr&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1F8ymVsnZE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
