Family Encyclopedia >> Work

From Truck Driver to Lyft Pro: Thriving in the YouEconomy While Empowering Youth

Ronald Porter, 51, Lyft driver since 2016

I joined Lyft because…
I heard it was a great company and wanted to experience it firsthand. After 10 years as a truck driver—which kept me away from home too often—I craved more freedom. With Lyft, you're truly working for yourself. Set your own hours, start and stop whenever you choose.

When I'm not driving, I...
Run a nonprofit organization, Port Productions, serving children ages 5-17. Many kids lack structured summer activities, so we teach music, theater arts, audio engineering, photography, and other performing arts. Our goal: spark interests that could lead to lifelong passions. Everyone has at least one innate gift—we help them discover it to build stronger futures. Our children are our tomorrow, and I'm committed to shaping it positively.

You have to push yourself because...
Success demands motivation. You can't just drive sporadically and expect steady income. Master the app, understand your local market, and stay consistent.

I like driving for Lyft because…
I connect with diverse people daily, gaining fresh insights on every ride. Passengers have shared ideas that advanced my nonprofit, even connecting me with potential instructors. It's an unbeatable networking opportunity.

<<Luke Marshall Khara Ledonne>>

This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.