Every time you request a ride through Uber, you’re helping empower small business owners to achieve their own American Dream. Our partners—your drivers—are the engine behind Uber. This Saturday, November 28th, Uber and American Express want to thank you for supporting local entrepreneurs on Small Business Saturday®!

Go behind the wheel with us and read some the stories of the local entrepreneurs that you support — from a restaurant owner to an eBay seller and even a matchmaker. Wisconsin, meet some of your driver partners.

Toya from Milwaukee, WI

Toya and her two daughtersToya has been known to wear several different hats in a single day – a mother, recording artist, and two time business owner. With the flexibility and earning opportunity created by Uber, Toya has been able to provide for her family and pursue several of her dreams.

For over 5 years, Toya has run a successful eBay store. Since partnering with Uber, she has used the money earned from Uber to expand her inventory selling household items, artwork and electronics. The newest item added to her store is the 2-wheel self-balancing scooters and hoverboards. Most recently Toya was able to launch a second business catering desserts for restaurants throughout Milwaukee.

“I decided to drive for uber because I could make my own schedule and I was running out of options. Being the mother of an autistic child I needed the flexibility. I can’t commit to a full-time job working weekends and holidays. I need to be there for my daughter as much as possible.”

Patti from Madison, WI

Patti from Madison, WIAs a veteran, Patti has a passion to help others. After 6 months of driving, she most enjoys the opportunity to provide safe rides to both locals and those visiting the great city of Madison! Aside from serving her community, Patti is really excited that Uber allows her to meet new people and pay for a new car.

Within the past year, she was able to invest some of her earnings from Uber into launching two new businesses – Social Media Delights and Shining Star Matchmaking. She finds joy in helping people strategize their social media efforts, but, her true love is and always has been matchmaking! Driving with Uber has allowed Patti to meet new clients and connect some amazing people who can help take her businesses to the next level. 

“I am grateful to use Uber as a vehicle to network and to help others any way possible as I continue to grow both small businesses.”

Nas from Milwaukee, WI

Nas from Milwaukee, WI

When Nas started driving with Uber 2 years ago, he saw it as a great opportunity to make extra income and do something new, fun and exciting! Nas quickly saw a great opportunity to grow his partnership and launch his own transportation company that helped add more cars and driver-partners onto the Uber platform.

As co-owner of the popular Milwaukee restaurant, Casablanca, Nas has relied on Uber to help provide transportation for customers to and from his restaurant. “Having an Uber driver-partner on demand makes this easy for me.”

Nas is a true entrepreneur. Within the next 2 years, he hopes to expand the restaurant into other cities as well as increase the number of cars under his transportation service.

“Uber has helped me in many ways – a way for me to earn extra income and a way to help provide an extra layer of service to my customers… This has definitely helped me on paying off bills and saving money for new ventures.”

Want to make money to help fund your small business? Sign up to drive!