Technology has transformed the self-employed workforce in America, creating new roles and new fields of work alongside revolutionizing the way people work in traditional careers.
The Ooma team examined the rates of self-employment over time, including gig work on platforms like DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart. Social media has also helped more people seek entrepreneurship as they take on roles like influencer, content creator, and digital marketer.
Looking at the data, we can see how the COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst for drawing more people into the world of self-employment. The Center for Economic and Policy Research reports that these numbers were most elevated among women, particularly Black and Hispanic women, and those without degrees.
Self-employment can represent new opportunities for marginalized groups, as reflected by the 76% of DoorDash drivers who reported the job gave them greater ability to provide for their families. Restaurants cited DoorDash as a crucial business partnership during the pandemic lockdown period.
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