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I was so excited to be in an Israeli newspaper until I read the article!
Imagine my surprise when I saw a picture of Jacob and I smiling in an article in an Israeli paper. I immediately sent the attached picture to my Mom figuring it was just a summary of DRIVR and what we were up to. Sadly, after translation, it was a pretty shitty article.
That said, it brings up some points worth clarifying about DRIVR:
In the article, the author says DRIVR suffers from “tunnel vision” because we are *only* focused on one of the major issues facing last mile delivery drivers. Whenever you’re tackling an issue as big as, let’s just say “capitalism,” you have to start somewhere.
We chose to start with getting drivers paid more by creating the first driver tipping platform. When you talk to drivers around the country and ask them what they need, the first (sometimes only) thing they say is “more pay.” Does that do anything for overwork, lack of benefits, or career development? No. But those things are absolutely on our minds and actively being explored as DRIVR grows.
The author also asserts that we are taking advantage of blue collar workers by funding our platform through 6% of tips. The 6% today covers our transaction fees which are very real when you consider that we are moving money from one source to another in smaller increments. We are not a union or a non-profit. You cannot create change without first creating a viable business model. Simply put, if we don’t exist, drivers make $0 in tips. That does nothing to help drivers. Through DRIVR, if customers tip $100 a month, the drivers take home $94 that they would not get otherwise.
DRIVR is not going to fix capitalism or America’s thirst for a myriad of products delivered quickly. We can, however, as consumers reward those who help us and give us excellent service. We do it everywhere else in our society - restaurants, coffee shops, valet, taxis, rideshares, etc. There is a recognition that this tip helps and in a lot of cases, are depended on for livelihood. American companies should pay our working class more. That is why we’re seeing a resurgence in Union activity. Income inequality in America is greater today than it has been in the past 100 years.
We are inspired by companies such as CostPlus Drugs - an online pharmacy created by Mark Cuban. For us, good business is doing good too. If DRIVR is successful it means we’re helping to make Drivers successful. That’s why our mission is to improve the lives of Drivers.
At least it's a handsome picture of Jacob and I.