Whether you’re getting your favorite bowl of ramen delivered to your office during a jam-packed workday or you’re treating yourself to a night in with your favorite burger, many folks delight in the convenience that food delivery apps bring. With over a million Dashers around the globe, most people are familiar with the services DoorDash offers but few have been in the (literal) driver’s seat. Today, Solo is sitting down with Dasher and Solopreneur Lilli Zaharris to talk about the how and why behind the takeout on your porch.

When did you start Dashing and what prompted you to start gig working?

So, I started Dashing when COVID hit my family pretty hard, back in March of this year. I had recently been laid off from my full-time job, and there was a struggle for me (as well as a lot of others) to find full-time employment that would fit my needs. I have a 17-month-old daughter, and the cost of daycare here is outrageous, to say the least. So finding a job that would balance my work and home life properly was nearly impossible. 

You’ve probably run into your fair share of hiccups while delivering and with the platform—what is the most frustrating thing about Dashing?

Quite thankfully, I haven’t personally had any bad experiences outside of trying to find apartments in the dark. However, some of my colleagues have shared their bad experiences. Some customers will outright lie about their food not being delivered, which can get your whole Dasher account deactivated! All so they can get some free food. 

On the flip side, we bet you’re had a lot of memorable moments on the job! Can you share a standout memory or favorite experience?

There are definitely more pros than cons! My favorite order was made by a barista at one of our local coffee shops. She got a small order from Chipotle and gave me a pretty hefty cash tip. I think I can speak for most of our Washington Dashers when I say, we love our coffee stands and their workers!

Do you have any tips for new or current Dashers that you’ve learned while on the job?

The biggest thing to me that I wish I’d learned sooner—don’t sell yourself short! There will always be orders that don’t seem worth it. Usually with the mileage. If the delivery is out of your zone and it doesn’t seem like there’s a tip, don’t do it! It will take the same amount of time and mileage on the way back and you won’t even be considered “active” if you’re driving back from outside your zone.

Do you have any tips for customers using the service?

The biggest thing I can say is please tip fairly. There are thousands of orders that go unresolved because Doordash has an extremely low base pay. Also, be understanding. We are all human, and most of us are struggling in some way in the current state of the economy. Be kind!

How has using Solo helped you as a Dasher?

Solo has helped me feel comfortable as a gig worker! I no longer have to take those small orders just to get by or put a million miles on my car just to get the minimum out of it. I’m extremely grateful to Solo for guaranteeing my payment, even on the slowest of days. It is by far the most useful tool I have ever used while working. 

A big thanks to Lilli for chatting with us about her experience driving with DoorDash! If you’re ready to optimize your gig work business and guarantee your earnings like Lilli, the Solo app is now available in the Google Play Store and App Store.