Amazon Flex gives Elicia Surles, far right, the flexibility to homeschool and take her kids (left to right) Leonicia, Leona and Stephon to auditions. PHOTO COURTESY ELICIA SURLES
Although Elicia Surles’ work day typically begins at 4 a.m. and ends at midnight, she’s able to devote most of her daytime hours to homeschooling her kids and chauffeuring them to various activities, thanks to her delivery job as an Amazon Flex driver.
A mother of five, Surles moved from Dallas to L.A. with her three youngest kids, who are pursuing singing and acting careers. She says she took the Amazon Flex job because of its flexible hours and pay.
Amazon Flex lets employees 21 and older set their own hours via an app while earning $18 to $25 per hour during a block or shift. For example, when working a four-hour block, a driver would average $72-$100 before tips. Payment is determined by the number of blocks completed. Using their own vehicles, drivers pick up and deliver packages from Amazon.com and Prime Now, and AmazonFresh and Amazon Restaurant orders. Since drivers can bring their kids along for the ride, it’s an attractive option for parents like Surles.
Surles says that by working as an independent contractor six days a week for Amazon Flex, she earns up to $900 to $1,200 per week, depending on tips. Her favorite part is learning to navigate her way around L.A. “I also like that I can be a blessing daily and help deliver fresh food and packages to those who don’t have transportation, especially the elderly,” says Surles, who is also a T-shirt designer and daycare owner.
After working two, two-hour early morning shifts, she drives her son Stephon, who is 8, to school and then spends the day homeschooling and driving Leonicia, 15, and Leona, 19, to auditions.
“I’m usually spending time with them or taking them to other activities,” Surles says. “Between all that, I’ll pick up an Amazon Flex block when it’s convenient for my schedule.”
For more information, visit flex.amazon.com.
