# How I Built Resilience: John Zimmer of Lyft

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2020-09-26
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft

## Summary

Lyft co-founder John Zimmer discusses how the company navigated the pandemic's 75% drop in rideshare demand by preserving cash, raising debt, and executing layoffs. He details Lyft's diversification into micromobility (bikes and scooters) and car rentals, as well as the strategic push for Prop 22 to maintain driver flexibility while providing scaled benefits. Zimmer also reflects on the company's origins during the 2008 financial crisis, the future of autonomous vehicles, and his personal methods for managing founder stress.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=0) Introduction and Pandemic Impact
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=138) Financial Resilience and Layoffs
- [5:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=339) User Behavior and Safety Measures
- [6:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=416) Diversification into Micromobility and Delivery
- [8:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=527) Resilient Streets and Urban Planning
- [11:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=693) Car Rentals and Subscription Models
- [13:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=794) Prop 22 and Driver Classification
- [20:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-26-how-i-built-resilience-john-zimmer-of-lyft#t=1226) Autonomous Vehicles and Founder Wellbeing

## Topics

- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Lyft (company)
- Waymo (company)
- Prop 22 (other)
- Lift Pink (product)
- City Bike (product)
- Bay Wheels (product)
- Divvy (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature: Todd Harris of Plift](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-07-19-founder-feature-todd-harris-of-plift) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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