Makers & Movers Series: Making Money Charging Scooters

This post may contain affiliate links. Feel free to view my disclosure here.

Scooters Today’s post is the next installment of the Side Hustle Series. I had a chance to interview a young brother who has made a killing by making money charging Bird & Lime scooters.

MJ Bridges is a high school math teacher and HBCU graduate in Atlanta, GA. MJ became “Young & Debt Free” on August 16, 2019, after eliminating $96,942 of student loan and consumer debt in 5.5 years.

MJ’s success with debt elimination is credited to self-discipline and side hustling. In the last nine months alone, MJ has side hustled over $26,000 from charging electric scooters such as Bird and Lime. Let’s get started with the interview.

How did you get into side hustling?

One day I was taking a run through the hood, and I saw this guy throwing scooters onto the bed of his pick-up truck. I then saw a YouTube video of individuals from the LA area sharing their story of making $2500 monthly. At that moment, I said, “SIGN ME UP!”

How many different side hustles have you done?

Well, I have always had other jobs during my debt-free journey, such as tutoring and working at a nightclub. However, this is the only one where I can dictate when I want to work. But, four jobs.

What has been your best side hustle to date?

Hands down, the scooters!!!! I love this!!!

Why have charging scooters worked for you?

It has worked for me because:

I dedicated the time and sacrificed the majority of my social life, and my one and only goal is to make money!
My location – I live in a scooter-heavy neighborhood
My apartment happens to be next to the elevator
I have established a routine
I also keep up with e-scooter news

How many scooter companies are there out there?

In Atlanta, there are six e-scooter companies with permits.

How has the scooter game changed since you started?

It has changed so much, and I think for the best.

A. Since I have started, e-scooters have become widely popular and almost NORMAL in cities across America.

Lawmakers are now accepting that these are the future! The term Micro-mobility is out and present!

B. There are four more scooter companies in ATL! When I started, it was only Bird and Lime.

C. They have increased their fleet size. Most companies have a max of 2,000 scooters per company on the streets of ATL.

D. They have made significant changes to my job as a charger, such as later times to release and updated software.

What would you tell someone that’s just starting out?

Create a routine and learn about the neighborhoods!

You’re debt-free now; how does that feel?

It feels AMAZING!!! I do not know how else to feel. I’ve been on this journey for 5.5 years! It is crazy! All I do is look at Real Estate apps now. It’s time to jump into the real estate and investment game!

What kept you motivated during this journey?

My vision has kept me motivated! I am big on creating the life you want and desire. I wrote it down. I manifested it, and I worked hard to get here!

Anything else people should know?

Simply cut out the “extra” outings and travel from your social life! If you can sacrifice a year of social activities, less shopping, frugal living, and side hustling- You can improve your financial life by 3-5 years! Of course, this looks different for everyone.