Deliver on Your Business

You got your 1099. Now what?

What is the 1099 for Grubhub, Postmates, Doordash,Uber-Eats and other gig delivery companies?

What if my 1099 from Doordash is wrong (or anyone else - it just happens a lot with Doordash in particular?

What's the deal with the 1099-K For Uber Eats?

Do I have to claim income if it's not on a 1099?

We talk 1099's for independent contractors who deliver in the gig economy.

In the episode we referenced this article that we published earlier about Uber Eats and the 1099-K.

You can view the associated blog post on our site here.

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Our Podcast page is at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
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This is a special episode I recorded in anticipation of the big game happening this Sunday. You know, that football championship game where everyone watches the commercials?

I love listening to some of the speeches coaches give their players before a big game. Some of them have you ready to run through a brick wall. Others build something deep inside you. All good stuff.

I won't pretend I'm anywhere near the level of some of these great motivators. Not even on the same playing field - literally or figuratively. But I had some thoughts I want to share. 

I put this up initially as an unpublished episode, giving my email list first access, but I did want to share it. I hope this provides some value for you and maybe a shot in the arm

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You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
Our Podcast page is at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
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You may have seen the reports going around that Doordash Dashers are only making $1.45 per hour. I’m not linking to any of those articles because the reporting is so shoddy and irresponsible that they are not worthy of a link.

HOWEVER, the study that prompted the articles is worth linking. Working Washington was looking at how much DOORDASH pays drivers. The study serves as a good comparison to a tipped employee to see how it would look against what minimum wage would be on payment FROM THE COMPANY. The study itself did not include what the headlines were inferring. The study didn’t include tips, something the articles decided not to mention. 

But hey, that wouldn’t get as many clicks if they were honest, would it?

I wrote a little about those reports earlier this week. It prompted some discussions that got into the topic of exploitation by these companies.

So do gig companies actually exploit workers? I think there is some exploitation going on.

How do we protect ourselves from being exploited? That’s where we go with this today. 

The main answer is, understand what you signed up for, understand that you agreed to be a business owner and not an employee. That designation takes away some rights, but you agreed to the designation. Don’t treat this like a job, treat it like a business and take control.

You can read the associated blog post here.

More about the EntreCourier

You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
Our Podcast page is at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
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Does it make sense to use Insulated Delivery Bags or Hot Bags Delivering for Grubhub, Doordash, Postmates, Uber Eats, etc.?

There’s a couple questions about bags: Do you have to use them on deliveries? SHOULD you use them? I’m not sure on the ‘do you have to’ question. I wrote more about that here. The more important question is, does it make business sense? We talk about that today.

Ultimately, I find that having a delivery bag gets me in and out of the restaurant faster, speeds up the interaction with the customer, and helps with tips. More time, more money. It makes sense.

We talk about different options here. The Amazon links below are affiliate links: You can learn more about my affiliate link policy here

Some of the bags I look at:

Grubhub bags from their online store. You can watch my packaging opening review here 

Uber Eats has an Online Delivery Store

The Servit bag is available on Amazon or the Webstaurant Store
The Freshie Catering bag with cup holders on Amazon
The Homevative Catering Bag on Amazon
Servit has a larger catering bag at Webstaurant
The non-branded version of the Grubhub drink carrier on Amazon
The Drink Caddy 4-cup holder on Amazon
The Creatology Art Caddy (Drink Holder) from Michaels

More about the EntreCourier

You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
Our Podcast page is at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
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Maybe the greatest, most pleasant surprise that I've encountered with this delivery gig is the time. I used to see my delivery time as taking away time from other things. I'm coming to realize that the time spent driving to places is a time where I can learn, develop, and grow. One of the biggest ways I can do this is with podcasts and audio books.

This week I am focusing on audio books that have made a difference to me. These books are not about deivery or about being an independent contractor. They are more about creating a mindset that decides to take control of my life and to strive for greater things.

Each week we have an associated blog post on the website - it's not a full transcript but close enough.

I mentioned an article I found that talks about alternatives to Audible.

Full disclosure - all links to Audible or Amazon are affiliate links. That means that I get a small commission if you buy anything. That commission helps offset the cost of running this podcast and the EntreCourier website.

If you want to try any of these, you can do it on Audible or on Amazon Kindle Unlimited. The main difference is with Audible you own the books, the Kindle service is more like renting them. Both offer a 30 day free trial. With the Audible service, it's like getting your first book

These are not the best books by any means. But they are books that made a tremendous impact on me, and I hope they might for you. The books that I suggest are as follows:

19:07 - Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
20:53 - Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey
22:53 - Start with Why by Simon Sinek
24:48 - Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
26:35 - Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
29:49 - 48 Days to the Work You Love by Dan Miller
32:15 - The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss

More about the EntreCourier

You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
Our Podcast page is at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
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The New Year is a natural time for reflection

What was great about the last year? what wasn't so great? What do you want the year to come to look like?

This week, I get a little more personal about why I started doing delivery, why I do the website, and how does that tie in with my passions and what I want to do with my life.

My hope is it helps you with your own reflection. Where do you want your life to go? Are you an independent contractor for Grubhub, Doordash, Uber Eats, Postmates or a number of other delivery platforms? How do you see that work? What do you love about it? What do you wish were different.

More important, how does it fit in with your why?

If you prefer reading, feel free to visit our associated blog post here. It's not a straight transcription but follows the general flow.

(note that Amazon and Audible links are affiliate links)

We discussed Simon Sinek's Ted Talk. You can read more from him in his book Start With Why, available on Amazon. Also available in Kindle, or in Audible audio books.

I also mentioned Ann Vosskamp's book One Thousand Gifts, available on Amazon, on Kindle or Audible

More about the EntreCourier

 
You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
We have a special section on the site for the podcast at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
Sign up for our weekly Courier Nation Motivation email at http://eepurl.com/gtdbsv
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With AB5, What happens to Contractors for Grubhub, Doordash, Postmates, Uber Eats and others on January 1?

What will change?

Nothing. Okay, your clock will change, your calendar will change. But you will still be a contractor.

Nothing changes until something changes. We talk about the changes to expect from AB5 when it becomes law on January 1. Some articles:

An overview of AB5 including Episode 37 of our podcast.

Forbes article on lack of teeth in AB5

TechCrunch article on Doordash misclassification settlement in 2017

Read the associated post on EntreCourier

 More about the EntreCourier
 
You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
We have a special section on the site for the podcast at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com
  Sign up for our weekly Courier Nation Motivation email at http://eepurl.com/gtdbsv
  Follow us on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EntreCourier
Folow us on Twitter: https://Twitter.com/EntreCourier
Connect with us on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/36870762/

Merry Christmas

This is our last episode before Christmas. I want to wish all of you a very merry and wonderful Christmas. I don’t mean to impose any particular beliefs on anyone by sticking to the Christmas name (rather than saying Happy Holidays or something like that) but I sincerely wish for you the things that are such a part of the holiday: Peace and Goodwill to all. 

As a special bonus, today’s episode is all about presenting a Christmas gift to my customers. Since Grubhub, Postmates, Uber Eats and Doordash are the ones who pay me, I see them as my customers. 

I don’t think any will actually accept my gift. But if one does, if they embrace the ideas here, I think they could have the gift that tips their wish list: Total Market Domination.

Of course, I can always be wrong, but it makes sense to me, and that’s why we talk about it today.

More about the EntreCourier
 
You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
We have a special section on the site for the podcast at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com

Sign up for our weekly Courier Nation Motivation email at http://eepurl.com/gtdbsv

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We’ve already had some crazy bad weather for the early part of Winter in several parts of this nation. And just think, January, February and March have yet to hit. 

Snowstorms or even heavy rain storms can be a great time to make money. Super cold weather, lots of snow, windy miserable days are all times people don’t want to go out. The convenience of delivery can be too good to pass up. And that can mean we can make good money delivering for Grubhub, Doordash, Postmates, Uber Eats and others.

But does it also put us at too much risk? Is there a point where weather slows us down? We might make more on an individual delivery but we’re making less per hour. We talk this week about how to handle those bad weather deliveries.

You can read our associated blog post here on if Grubhub or Doordash Bad Weather Delivery (or anyone else) is a good idea.

More about the EntreCourier
 
You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
We have a special section on the site for the podcast at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com

Sign up for our weekly Courier Nation Motivation email at http://eepurl.com/gtdbsv

Follow us on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EntreCourier
Folow us on Twitter: https://Twitter.com/EntreCourier
Connect with us on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/36870762/

Is Top Dasher Worth it? Is Grubhub Premier Worth Pursuing?

At the start and end of every month, the whole topic of being Top Dasher moves to front and center in Doordash forums. People are close to achieving their status. People did or didn’t make it. 

But the question is, is it even worth it? Let’s talk about incentive programs like Top Dasher for Doordash, or Grubhub Premier or Pro status, or even Uber Eats Pro. 

Understand what the real benefits are that are offered. Understand if the company will even GIVE you those benefits after you pursue them. And understand the cost of pursuing them.

Visit the companion page on Is Top Dasher and Premier Status Worth it? on our website.

More about the EntreCourier
 
You can get more tips and ideas at our website, Entrecourier.com
We have a special section on the site for the podcast at DeliverOnYourBusiness.com

Sign up for our weekly Courier Nation Motivation email at http://eepurl.com/gtdbsv

Follow us on Facebook: https://Facebook.com/EntreCourier
Folow us on Twitter: https://Twitter.com/EntreCourier
Connect with us on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/36870762/