After 30 years as an IBM executive, Michael Moyer resolved to begin an entirely new career as a small business owner. Two years later, he is still an executive and still working in a fast-paced environment, but the industry and the name have changed. Today, Moyer is owner and president of Road Runner Courier and feels a new sense of exhilaration as he watches his courier business take off.

The seed was planted in 1982, when Moyer was transferred to Delray Beach, Florida with a team of 50 employees to head up IBM's new personal computer sales. The excitement of launching a brand new product with a small team introduced Moyer to the "entrepreneurial bug". He found the concept of "running the whole show" very attractive. And run he did.

With Moyer on board, IBM rapidly expanded its manufacturing and distribution operations to 9,000 employees and moved to Boca Raton. Eventually, however, IBM folded the operation, leaving Moyer with a decision to stay or leave the company. Thinking his 30-year tenure may have reached its pinnacle in the computer sales industry, Moyer made an unprecedented move to become his own boss and venture into the entrepreneur arena with a small business. As he began reviewing his options, Moyer began working as a consultant to a courier service.

Recognizing the potential for this type of business, Moyer chose to pursue the idea of starting his own courier service — but not without help. With his fresh ideas, Moyer went to South Palm Beach SCORE chapter and met with SCORE business counselor, Leon Leidner.

Leidner's first big advice for the former IBM executive was to be cautious in the start up of his business as it could be a bigger job than he might expect. "My biggest problem," admits Moyer, "was having all of these options and decisions to make on my own." Accustomed to a large corporation, Moyer was always able to call on specific departments for support. Leidner also recommended planning for the future by obtaining the proper insurance and developing a billing system.

"All of the sudden, there were no departments, no one to take care of human resources, finances, sales, and administration except me," continued Moyer. "I really considered Leidner and SCORE my right-hand consultants. They helped me to see the generalities of business that I had never looked at, especially cash flow, advertising and leasing. In a large company, there was always someone to handle those things. SCORE helped me to wear all of those hats."

In 1997, Moyer expanded the business and bought a Pompano Beach courier service — changing the name to Road Runner Courier to highlight its speed in delivery. Witnessing its success, Moyer began searching for similar companies to buy in south Florida to consolidate the courier services under one company. In May 1999, Moyer closed a deal to buy his second courier business, Boca Express.

Moyer manages the business by using independent contractors as drivers. He has daily scheduled routes such as Workers Compensation checks for the Florida State government, as well as additional courier requests. Moyer considers Leidner his business confidante and continues to meet with him regularly. Road Runner Courier has tripled its sales in just two years. In the next few years, Moyer expects to grow dramatically to a million-dollar business. The Road Runner is forging full speed ahead!