Hi, it's Manouche, the host of New Text City.

This morning, I wanted to get to work way early.

Before my kids got up and sucked me into their getting ready for school vortex, before

my colleagues got to their desks and sucked me into the WNYC vortex.

I needed quiet time to prep this week's show about tech and the tiny businesses that

they enable.

And with my children and the sun still tucked into bed, I decided to treat myself and

live the theme of this week's show by booking an early ride with the Uber app.

If you've never used Uber, it describes itself as a tech company that's created software

that lets anyone request a cab ride via app, text or the web.

Hey, Uber.

Good morning.

So I need to go to 160 Verix.

And picking me up for his first ride of the day, Juan, a 26 year old guy originally

from the Dominican Republic in an immaculate Honda Accord.

Juan's been an Uber driver for about five months.

I never taxed before.

So I used to own a grocery store for this.

So I worked for three years.

And I just got tired because I was working more than 90 hours a week.

So Juan quit his job and decided to become a taxi driver.

He got his taxi license and everything.

...