From Navy veteran to entrepreneur behind the wheel
Kevin, known by many riders in Arizona as "Big Horn Kevin," has lived a life of service, from 20 years as a Navy search and rescue air crewman to years with the Colorado Department of Transportation. After helping his parents during a family health crisis, Kevin turned to rideshare driving to support them while keeping flexible hours.
Like many drivers, he started with Uber Eats and Uber rides, working long days that included morning trips, lunch deliveries, and evening runs. But despite putting in seven days a week, the math never added up.
"I was working myself to death. A good week was $1,500 to $2,000 gross. But after fuel, maintenance, and oil changes every other week, my bottom line was thin. I realized I was burning myself out."
How Kevin discovered HUM
Through a group of Phoenix-area drivers, Kevin first learned about HUM. The turning point came when he attended a HUM meetup and learned something critical: with HUM, private rides included insurance coverage.
"Jeff (another driver) and I looked at each other and said, this is exactly what we've been talking about. This was the model we wanted."
From that point forward, HUM wasn't just a side option. It became the foundation of his business.
Building a private client base
When Kevin first started with HUM, he had just two private clients. Today, his phone holds 175 contacts, with 40 riders using him every month and at least 30 of them booking him multiple times each month.
Early days with HUM vs. now
- Early days with HUM: About 25 rides a week, close to 100 rides a month, generating $4,000 to $5,000 a month.
- Now: Runs primarily by appointment, averaging 10 to 15 rides a week, with higher-value clients and more control over his schedule.
Kevin's strategy for turning riders into repeat clients
- Focus on airport rides through Uber and Lyft as introductions.
- Build conversations with riders, exchange information, and offer reliable return service at a better rate.
- Turn one-time riders into repeat clients.
"I tell them: You probably paid $50 for this ride. How about I take you back for $45, and I'll meet you right at the airport when you land? Personal service, saved money, that model works."
The "unicorn ride" that changed everything
One of Kevin's best clients came through a referral from a VIP rider. That client, Anthony W., not only booked him for regular airport runs but also introduced him to his extended family.
One referral led to a three-day trip to Tucson, a two-hour drive, for a class reunion, where Kevin earned $600, plus meals and lodging.
"We call that a unicorn ride. And in Phoenix, there's a whole herd of unicorns. You just have to find them."
More than driving: building a business
For Kevin, HUM represents more than income. It represents ownership.
He now helps drivers in orientation, holds coffee meetups, and manages a YouTube channel called Things That Make You Go HUM, where he trains new drivers. He even built a 14-point framework to help other drivers shift from gig work to true entrepreneurship.
"You have to change your mindset. Uber and Lyft are lead generation for your business. They're paying you to find private clients."
Life with HUM today
- Control: Kevin sets his schedule around family, meetings, and clients.
- Community: Instead of competing, HUM drivers support each other.
- Security: Insurance and direct rider relationships create stability.
- Income: With fewer rides and better clients, Kevin earns more with less stress.
"With HUM, quitting isn't even an option anymore. This isn't gig work. This is my business."
Why Kevin says he'll never go back to gig-only driving
- From 2 clients to 175 contacts in just 18 months.
- 40+ repeat riders per month form his core income base.
- Shifted from grinding seven days a week to running a sustainable private rides business.
- Now a mentor and trainer helping other HUM drivers grow.
"The old rideshare model is dog eat dog. With HUM, it's a pack mentality. We help each other succeed."
Gig grinding vs. building a private client base with HUM
| Factor | Building a private client base with HUM | Driving on Uber and Uber Eats |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly schedule | 10 to 15 rides a week, mostly by appointment, built around family and clients. | Seven days a week: morning rides, lunch deliveries, evening runs, no real days off. |
| Income | Averages $4,000 to $5,000 or more a month with fewer, higher-value trips. | $1,500 to $2,000 gross a week, thin margins after fuel, maintenance, and oil changes. |
| Client relationships | 175 contacts, 40+ repeat monthly riders who book Kevin directly. | One-time riders assigned by the app, no ownership of the relationship. |
| Insurance coverage | Commercial coverage in place for every private ride, through HUM. | App-assigned rides only, no dedicated private-ride coverage. |
| Community | Coffee meetups, orientation mentoring, and a driver community Kevin calls a "pack mentality." | Solo grind, competing with other drivers for the next ride request. |