Most of us dream of striking it rich, but not everyone’s ready to roll up their sleeves. Let me share some insights from a visit to Uber’s corporate office in San Francisco. I was there with other top referrers, and we got a peek into the lives of Uber’s staff. Interestingly, none of them had attended public universities, unlike us drivers who were mostly first-generation immigrants from public schools, making more than them.
During this visit, I met Elroy, a hopeful singer-songwriter who drives for Uber to support his music career. Elroy’s dedication to hustling by leveraging social media and personal networks to increase his referrals was truly inspiring. His story highlights that with enough grit, you can surpass traditional income averages, regardless of your professional background.
The truth is, many resist the notion of earning big through seemingly modest roles. Yet, here I was, seeing the potential to make $347,000 annually just from Uber, if the hours and demand matched up. That’s a lot more than many corporate roles offer, even with all their perks.
It’s essential to believe in your ability to prosper through unconventional paths. Take a retired Filipino man who, even in his sixties, earns a hefty side income by guiding new drivers through Uber’s ropes. Then there’s a young man from Southern California who’s about to clear $300,000 this year, mostly from driving and referrals.
If you’re still thinking you’re above driving for Uber or any job outside the corporate ladder, you’re missing out on practical and lucrative earning opportunities. In a gathering of Uber’s top referrers, it was evident that those who embraced less conventional paths often out-earned typical corporate employees.
The disparity in earnings between Uber employees and top referrers is stark. For example, a marketing staffer in her late twenties at Uber makes about $70,000 annually, plus equity. In contrast, an Uber lawyer I drove one evening earns a $180,000 base with significant equity, which sounds impressive but still doesn’t touch the earnings potential from driving and referrals.
In closing, the path to wealth isn’t always paved with prestigious job titles and traditional career paths. Sometimes, it’s the unglamorous hustles that lead to the most substantial payoffs. Whether it’s driving for Uber, making referrals, or starting your own side gig, the potential to out-earn conventional roles is real and attainable. Don’t be too proud to get rich.
