I couldn't afford to buy rental properties at 25. So I started renting out cars instead.

Saimah Chaudhry, the founder and chief operating officer of Zevo, transformed her underutilized Smartcar into a rental business in 2015. Initially working for a SaaS company, she listed her car on a rental service and was surprised by its success. Within months, she expanded her fleet to over 50 vehicles and was earning hundreds of thousands each year.

Initially renting mid-range luxury cars like Corvettes and BMWs, her business grew as she recognized the demand for such vehicles among tourists. A year later, a client purchased her SaaS company, providing the necessary capital to further expand her rental business. She began a YouTube channel to teach others how to manage their fleets, but ultimately, rental income comprised about 90% of her earnings.

As Zevo focused on electric vehicles, her company now caters to both gig workers and dealership partners, with drivers typically renting for 90-day periods. Chaudhry believes that everyone, regardless of their age or background, should have the opportunity to participate in the asset class and is excited to return to car rental with her own Tesla.