pLayoffs
It’s that time of year.
This article contains links, to which the author can make a commission.
Well, we’re at the end of the NFL season and as these playoffs come to a close, perhaps now’s a good time for some reflection and contemplation.
Oh wait… you don’t know me, do you? Oh, how rude of me. My name’s not really important (I mean, you didn’t really click on this article to get to know the author, did you? And would knowing my name really mean anything to you? I’m not rich or famous, well- not yet at least). Just consider me a young entrepreneurial individual who’s rather insightful and curious if his thoughts are shared by others… and can build an audience as a result. For now, you can call me… well, seeing as this is my first blog post, I’m still working on a name. How about Young Business Owner? Young Retiree? Young Sage? Or, so I don’t get confused for trying to be a new rapper, Hopeful Retiree? Quiet Hustler? Any of those fit me, I’ll humbly admit. You guys let me know. I guess you can tentatively call me DJ.
Now, that we got the pleasantries out of the way, back to the blog:)
Besides the big game between Kansas City and Philadelphia, I thought it appropriate to note some other play-off seasons happening… First, in the midst of the festivities in Arizona (who y’all got, btw?), it’s also award season, the time of year where (speaking of rich and famous) people can get “played off” stage if they take too long thanking God, their mother, and supporting cast responsible for whatever accolade they’ve won. Talk about awards, how about those Grammy’s?! Even if you’re not one for award shows (looking at you, older generations), you must admit that it was an entertaining show: Stevie Wonder and Smokie Robinson in a Motown-esque tribute, that 50-year Hip-Hop celebration tribute (PHEW! Yeeeeeaaaahhh, Boooyyyyee!), and Beyonce becoming the most prolific Grammy winner in history. All hail Queen Bey!
In speaking of history, we also witnessed another record surpassed… On Tuesday night, LeBron James eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. On a fadeaway late in the third quarter, King James (notice a trend here? History, as well as royalty, apparently) scored his 36th point of the game (16 in that period) to top the Laker legend’s 38,387 career points. This was followed by an impromptu intermission of celebration by the crowd, which included celebrities and former NBA greats — amongst of whom was Abdul-Jabbar himself, who handed LeBron a basketball (the one he scored with?), perhaps in a sort of passing-the-torch — who were in attendance. At 38 years old, LeBron shows no signs of slowing down in a 20-year NBA career and has already said he’s going to continue to play. He could very well top 40,000 and make the record that much more unreachable. Long live the King.
Now for some rather deflating news. If you noticed the wording of the title, it’s also time for layoffs. First what is going on in our economy?! Besides eggs being sold at near-Faberge prices, gas going up and down like a yo-yo and God knows what you’re paying for rent, many tech giants are laying employees off left and right. Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others have all cut jobs. But wait — didn’t we just add over 500,000 jobs last month? So what gives? Are we in a good space or not? Recession or nah? Whatever the case, these are definitely uncertain times as we continue to find our footing coming out of the pandemic.
One sector that could use some attention (or, maybe more appropriately, appreciation) is: the Gig Economy. Specifically, ridesharing. Uber and Lyft both have not been paying drivers their fair share. Or should I say, FARE share? While we (yes- I’m an Uber driver… one thing you now know about me) may not be getting laid off (we can’t, technically, since we’re independent contractors… unless you account for drivers’ accounts getting unjustly deactivated *whoops* 🤫), we’re still in a situation of trading hours for dollars and not getting paid our just due. Being self-employed can be a two-edged sword: While you make your own hours and don’t answer to anyone (except for maybe your riders who can affect your score and financial obligations), you simultaneously have to hope your partner (in this case, billion-dollar tech platforms) doesn’t take too much commission, which you have no control over. Riders have also complained about pricing and some are aware of the unFARE compensation.
Thankfully, there are other options emerging, which leads me to a solution… Rather than taking a commission from each and every ride, this rideshare (based out of Virginia) charges a subscription to drivers, thereby allowing them to adjust their own fares for riders. As a result, riders generally pay a lower price than Uber or Lyft… a happy medium where drivers keep 100% of the fare. It’s a win-win-win (no DJ Khaled). If you’re in the DC, North Carolina (specifically Winston-Salem and Greensboro), or New York City areas, check out Empower:
For drivers- https://app.rideempower.com/driver?promoCode=5J52QL
For riders- https://app.rideempower.com/rider?promoCode=5J52QL
We drivers have to do something before we get DO get laid off, and replaced with self-driving cars (#kiddingnotkidding). If this can also simultaneously save riders that seemingly ever-fleeting green, than perhaps this is a viable solution and can disrupt the rideshare industry.
And before you lovely people play me off, I bid thee adieu. Thanks for reading!
