Let's Ride! LLC

 

Hello, and let me introduce myself and our wonderful little company: Let's Ride! LLC.

My name is Phaedra and I'm the mother of six fantastic sons and wife to one amazing husband.  A few years ago, as my youngest son was entering first grade and my oldest son was about to head off to college I started looking for ways to supplement our family's income.  

I learned that alternative student transportation was growing in popularity, but it was mostly dominated by men.  There was a serious demand for female drivers and this seemed like a great opportunity to help my family and help the community.

My husband and I created Let's Ride! LLC and I began driving students with special needs to and from school. Although I was driving other people's children, it was very rewarding.  All of the students we drive are ambulatory and have a physical, mental or learning disability.  In my own family, my oldest son has autism so I have always had a soft spot in my heart for children and families who struggle to do things that come easily to others.

As I continued to drive my routes it became very apparent that there was a demand for more female drivers. The community of parents of special needs children is pretty tight knit and good news travels fast.  Since I was only one driver, and couldn't drive more students than my schedule would allow, I saw the need to expand and hire other older moms, like myself.

We bought two gently used minivans and I hired two of my friends who were approaching empty nester hood.  Neither was looking for a job when I approached them but they soon fell in love with the students and thanked me for giving them an opportunity to work in such a unique environment.

The following year we expanded even more and eventually found ourselves with 22 people on the payroll.  In order to manage that many drivers, I no longer drove daily routes.  I became a substitute driver and also became quite busy managing daily routes and issues.

On March 13, 2021 COVID-19 closed down schools indefinitely.  Student transportation for special needs students was supposed to be recession proof and a consistent business.  At first, our schools announced that they'd close for 3 weeks and then return after spring break.  The next announcement was that we'd return in late May.  The creeping delay for the reopening of schools was stressful and exhausting.  

We ended up putting all of our employees on indefinite leaves of absence and we also liquidated our company assists by selling seven of the ten vans we owned.  It was sad to see something we loved fade away.  With the uncertainty of the worldwide pandemic we didn't know if or when we would ever come back.

This past school year we have begun transporting some students again.  We wear masks and wipe down doorhandles and common areas.  Currently, we have six California drivers and one in Arizona who are servicing routes for Let's Ride.  Our goal is to hire several drivers so that we will have 15-25 when school starts in the fall.

We love the students.  We love this rewarding, part time job.  We look forward to brighter days ahead.