Stories
Community Stories -- In Their Words
57 million Americans choose independent work and millions of app-based workers earn on multiple platforms. Read their stories:
"Not collecting disability has been rough, but being a driver allows me to create my own schedule that works for my health and my family. I can work around everybody else and still go out and make money if I choose to or need to. If I need to be home to drive my son to football practice, I'm able to do that without sacrifice."
- Kristen C.
- Matt S.
"Working full-time for a non-profit and part-time for Lyft gives me the chance to help my community in more ways than I ever imagined. Whether I'm giving someone a ride to class, downtown, or the airport, I love being able to meet new people and get them where they need to go. Having the freedom and flexibility to choose when I want to work is absolutely crucial because I can work around my full-time job, spend time with my wife, and make money whenever it works for me."
"Instacart has helped give me an abundance of freedom, finances, and community. As a mother of five, making my own hours is important because I can help my kids with virtual school or come home and make them lunch if I need. I am able to provide for my family in a way that doesn't take away from the moments and memories we create together."
- Vanessa W.
"Having a flexible schedule is very important to me because I need to be able to earn money while I'm taking classes to become a laboratory technician. Not only does DoorDash allow me to earn income in between my class and study times, but it also makes me incredibly happy because I love to help out people in my community and go the extra mile to make their day better."
- Henok B.
"As a single mom, DoorDash gives me the freedom to be with my son but make extra money when I need to. If something comes up, I don't have to stress about calling out of work or finding a last minute sitter. Instead, I make my own hours and I have a healthy work life balance that I am super grateful for."
- Nicole S.
"The flexibility driving for DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber Eats is just incredible because it allows me to live my life. I can basically work when I want, analyze the busy times, and adjust my schedule to work in that time frame. Also, knowing I can take a break to come home and spend time with my kids makes me grateful for the flexibility my job offers."
- Alan K.
"The flexibility of hours with Uber Eats is really important to me, because whether I choose to drive 25 hours a week or 60, I can still carve out time to pick up my daughter from volleyball practice and spend time with my family. I'm able to manage both my family life and my driving life, which is incredibly important to me as a mother."
- Crystal S. P.
"After working a full-time job with a set schedule for 34 years, I found myself looking for something more flexible, then I started driving for Uber and Lyft 3 years ago. I found exactly what I was looking for. I'm able to support my family and, as the father of a disabled child, I am very grateful that I can choose my own hours because I can easily attend doctor's appointments and be the best parent I can be."
- Hossein J.
- Matthew N.
"I decided to become an Instacart shopper because it allows me time to focus on myself as I continue on my journey to recovery. With such a flexible schedule, I can attend all of my AA meetings, meet with my sponsor, and do what I need to do to take care of myself while also earning some income. I also get to interact with different people every day, and I am incredibly grateful for the sense of community Instacart has brought me"
"Having completed over 9,000 rides for Lyft, I have experienced firsthand the amazing flexibility that independent work offers. There's no boss telling me when to get to work, giving me the important time to take care of both my mental and physical health."
- Hayley P.
"When I was looking for a job, I was immediately drawn to Uber because it gives me the flexibility to turn the app on and off when I want, I can make money on my own terms, and I get paid immediately. It's especially helpful as a single father because I'm able to spend time with my son and help him with virtual school during the pandemic."
- Ed W.
"Between taking care of my grandmother and looking after my two children, my life can get really busy. So, when I was looking for a job, I needed something that gave me the flexibility to handle those responsibilities for my family. When I found Instacart, I quickly realized how perfectly it fit into my life. I can turn the app on whenever I want, work from wherever I am, and be there for my family when they need me."
- Jenora A.
"Flexibility is the main thing I love about driving and making deliveries. I can work and still live my life at the same time without worrying about sticking to the strict schedule other jobs have, which has allowed me to go to classes and earn my real estate license. Better yet, it's work that gives me the chance to connect with people in my community and put some cheer into their day."
- Jean G.
"Instacart gives its shoppers the ability to make their own schedule and work on their own time, which was really important to me as I juggled my other job in the healthcare space. While giving me independence, it also made me feel like I was making an impact in my community at the same time."
- Ashley C.
"I thought juggling work and school would be hard, but working for Instacart allows me to set my own hours and have a flexible schedule. I can focus on my classes and homework, and if I need money for books or spending I can simply turn on the app and go."
- Cole R.
"In addition to giving me the flexibility to work on the side of my full-time job, Lyft also gives me the ability to live my life how I please. Whether I want to help out at my church or hang out with family and friends, I have the freedom to do that without worrying about missing a shift or answering to a boss."
- Daryl K.
"As someone who worked full-time jobs all my life, I got tired of answering to a boss and following a strict schedule. When I decided to find a new way to pay my bills that also gave me the flexibility to be home with my children, I began driving with Uber and Lyft and never turned back. Making my own hours gives me a sense of independence I never imagined, and lets me be the best mother I can be."
- Rochelle H.
"Even though I have a full-time job, I carve out 16 to 20 hours a week to deliver for DoorDash in order to provide for my family. Between paying off my son's ongoing medical bills and paying off my own student loans, being able to make some extra income on my own schedule has been a blessing for my family and me."
- Pete M.
"When I became a hair stylist at 19, I fell in love with the idea of being my own boss. After breaking my ankle, I had to give up my 39-year lifelong passion. Thankfully, when I began driving for Lyft 6 years ago, I found it was the perfect way to keep the independence I love while focusing on my health and providing for my family."
- Jackee W.
"When I retired from my full-time job, I set a goal for myself to make a stranger smile or laugh every day. Driving for Uber and Lyft, I get to do just that. I start and finish my day whenever I choose, meeting all kinds of passengers along the way."
- James M.
"I'm a U.S. Army veteran, and service has always been a priority for me. So I love that I get to serve people from all backgrounds while shopping with Instacart -- whether they are older, have kids like me, or simply can't risk going to the store during the pandemic. Because I get to create my own schedule each day, I never have to worry about missing out on my kids' sporting events and can take care of my family whenever they need me. I also love that it gives me the flexibility to run my own small business on the side."
- Tania H.
"I love the flexibility of app-based work, because you have unlimited earning potential – you make as much as you want or need, but you can take off at any time. For me, that’s perfect, because I can stop and go to an acting or modeling shoot at a moment’s notice. If I lost that flexibility, I’d be between a rock and hard place. I came from the corporate world where I was tied to a desk 8-5, and that’s very hard to balance with my other interests."
- Kim G.
"For four years my family was homeless living out on the street, but with a baby on the way, we needed a stable situation. Instacart provided access to that next step, and the jump in quality of life has been an answer to prayer. I love that I get to watch my little girl grow up and provide for her, and that's all possible because of flexibility."
- Majik B.
"The flexible schedule I have through Lyft is very important to me because I'm able to earn extra income in addition to my full-time job. I love driving because of the amazing people I meet and the stories I hear from my passengers, but if I didn't have the ability to work on my own schedule I would, unfortunately, have to give it up."
- Shirl D.
"As a retiree whose small business took a hit during COVID, I decided to try out shopping for Instacart and it clicked. With my income from Instacart, I'm able to do all of the things I love like give back to local charities, cook monthly meals for my church, and travel to visit friends in other parts of the country. And, with the endless flexibility it offers, I don't have to punch a clock and can craft my own schedule every day."
- David I.
“What I value the most about Lyft is how much it teaches me about myself and others. Having had almost 8,000 passengers in my car, every single ride brings a new conversation or experience with people from all walks of life. One of the best parts of the job is also the flexibility, because I don't have to tell anyone what I'm doing and can decide to work whenever I want."
- Lorenzo V.
"The flexibility of independent work is extremely important to me because, after enduring 3 intensive spinal surgeries, I can't sit at a desk for 8-hour work days like other people can. With Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash, I can decide when I want to work, giving me the freedom to turn the app off and take a break if my back pain returns. With my health issues, having a flexible schedule is everything to me, and I hope to keep that flexibility for the rest of my life."
- Jared G.
"For me, driving with Uber part-time has been a blessing and I enjoy signing in every day. I started driving to help pay for a new car, and now it’s helping me have the financial security to get where I want to be in life. I love being able to set whatever schedule I want and not have to report to anyone. If I didn’t have that flexibility, I definitely couldn’t continue driving"
- Felix S.
"I started shopping with Instacart during the pandemic, and it gives me so much more peace of mind compared to my previous 9 to 5 job. If I need time off, I don't have to worry about calling out. I'm passionate about the work I'm doing and, because I get to control my schedule, I have total control of how much money I make."
- Kimberly K.
"With the flexibility I have as an Instacart shopper, anything is possible. I'm able to make a living on my own schedule, help people throughout my community, and spend time with my daughter"
- Mikayla D.
"Six years ago, things were bad – I was about to be put out of my house, I didn’t have a car, and I needed to be there for my son. I was sick and tired of working desk jobs, so I started driving for Uber, and now I’ll never go back. It gives me the freedom to be a mother to my son and look after my own health. Flexibility is so important to me, and I don’t understand why lawmakers would try to get rid of it."
- Shawnta W.
"I decided to start shopping with Instacart at the start of the pandemic when I realized that going to the grocery store wasn't an easy feat for some people. Whether it is an elderly person, someone with a compromised immune system, or a single mom who needs someone to help with shopping, I like being able to lend a hand to those in my community. The ability to pick my own hours is especially important to me as a new grandmother because I can spend time with my grandchildren and family."
- Kasey B.
“As a retired paramedic, I was used to serving people, and being an Uber driver allows me to provide for the needs of other people. I also love the flexibility to set my own schedule and determine how much I want to make. Without that flexibility, I absolutely would not do it anymore."
- Bruce W.
Read more stories below!
"As a full-time waiter, my world was turned upside down when restaurants closed during COVID-19 and I needed to find another source of income. So, I signed up for Instacart and have been doing it ever since because of the flexibility it's given me. Having the ability to make my own schedule is the reason I shop, and being able to put a smile on my customers' faces makes it all worthwhile."
- Stephen G.
"I started working for Instacart when I was laid off from my job during the pandemic and quickly realized how perfect of a fit it was for me. Between being able to help my community in a time of need and having the flexibility to work when I want, Instacart is something I love to do and plan on doing for a long time."
- Tonda B.
"My flexibility with Instacart is really important to me, because as I pursue a career in screenwriting I'm able to fine-tune my schedule to focus time on my passion. Having that sense of independence has changed my life for the better, and being able to help out people in my community is incredibly rewarding."
- Kalynn C.
"As a full-time caregiver for my sister, I depend on being able to earn money on a flexible schedule. Delivering for Uber Eats allows me to stop at a moment's notice if my sister has a health emergency or needs to go to a doctor's appointment, which is something I couldn't do if I worked a more traditional job. Given that she is my number one priority, having the ability to be there for her means the world to me."
- Kathy M.
