Raven Hernandez: The Driving Force Behind Earth Rides
Raven Hernandez, the 26-year-old founder of Nashville-based Earth Rides, is blazing trails for minority business owners and the environment.
From early on, Raven Hernandez has been a force to be reckoned with — these days, she’s a force that’s saving the planet one electric vehicle at a time. The founder of Earth Rides, a company devoted to eco-friendly ridesharing, this 26-year-old dynamo is paving the way for both minority business owners and the environment.
The Antioch native who graduated from Lipscomb University was on the path to becoming an attorney before switching gears and building her startup here in Nashville. Little did she know the momentum it would gain. Two years after the company’s humble beginnings (she launched Earth Rides with her husband in October 2020), she now has fleets in Tennessee, Texas, and Arizona, with no sign of slowing down. Their catchy tagline, “Just like Uber but with Teslas,” says it all.
Please welcome our newest FACE of Nashville, Earth Rides founder and CEO Raven Hernandez!
What can you tell us about your upbringing?
I was raised by my mother and surrounded by the love of her brother and sisters. I always was told I would accomplish whatever I set my eyes on. Being from a working-class community void of college graduates, lawyers, or entrepreneurs, I didn’t know what was even possible to accomplish. But the belief instilled in me by my family set me on a path to go after my wildest dreams.
You initially set out to become an attorney. What was the lightbulb moment that inspired you to switch gears and create Earth Rides?
I became super passionate about health after becoming chronically ill while in law school. This passion for health was the first time in my life that I realized the injustices in our world run deep — access to healthy food and the ability to study nutrition isn’t something low-income communities — and, as it relates to me, those of color — get to explore. By creating Earth Rides, we set out to accomplish two things: first, to create exposure to clean technology through our everyday habits of hailing a ride, and second, to advance the gig economy sector by being the model of transparency in payouts.
What was the next step in turning your idea into a reality? How difficult was it to convince the South to adopt a “going green” mentality?
In order to create Earth, the first step was buying into the belief that I could do it. I’ve been told my entire life, “You will be successful,” but no one provided the steps for how to capture that success. That continual narrative also created an unhealthy fear of failure. Changing the narrative in my own mind that there is no failure in trying and that success can look like simply betting on yourself was definitely step one.
What differentiates Earth Rides from other ride-share companies, and what can we expect from an all-electric ride?
On Earth, all rides are done in electric vehicles, and the brands range from Tesla and Ford to Polestar, Nissan, and more. You can expect a safer, smoother ride without noise or tailpipe pollution, not to mention the best drivers on the road!
In an interview with the Today Show, you spoke of the hustle and grit passed down to you from your mother and grandmother. Can you tell us about that and how it prepared you for where you are now?
I was fortunate enough to grow up without a handout or hand-up. I say “fortunate” because it instilled in me a determination and resiliency that I otherwise might not have. And starting a company requires more resiliency than you can ever anticipate! I’ve watched my mother work three jobs, and my abuela support herself, six kids, siblings, and elderly tios — all on a very modest salary with English as a second language. This type of grit comes from necessity, and I am thankful that I have the opportunity to use this grit to build a company!
You launched your company here in Nashville since this is where you were raised. Where are your current fleet locations, and where are you expanding to next?
Earth Rides operates in Tennessee, Texas, and Arizona and is excited to explore growing into cities in Florida, Georgia, and California.
What has been the biggest challenge of being a young female Latina entrepreneur, and what advice do you have for other young women who might be facing similar challenges?
Raising institutional capital has been the most challenging. VCWorld has signaled (via the press) that they are committed to funding women and women of color, yet the statistics show that they have yet to put their money where their mouth is. And so, to the women bold enough to enter this space with more gatekeepers than you can fathom, be ready. Be ready to prove yourself in ways that your male counterparts won’t have to. Begin by finding allies in venture capital that invest in later stages than where you are, and call on them monthly for specific feedback. At the same time, they focus on building a successful business irrespective of their money. Be ready to work harder and receive less support. But also know that every time one of us pushes past the gatekeepers, it creates opportunities for the next woman bold enough to go after her dreams.
What are the top three things we can do to embrace clean technology and lessen our carbon footprint?
Support your local farmers! Buying local not only reduces carbon emissions from food transportation but lessens our dependency on conglomerates and government-funded crops. Not to mention, food grown closer to you means supporting your community and eating fresh, nutrient-rich food.
Get involved in city/state conversations around energy. Here in Tennessee Valley, we are fortunate to have power from diverse sources such as hydro, nuclear, gas, and wind. Still, the grid must be ready for these infrastructural changes to advance renewable energy. Getting involved in the conversation forces our leaders to take a proactive stance on being part of the next wave of clean infrastructure.
And then, do the simple stuff, which can be the hardest. Skip the plastic bags at the grocery store, switch to electric lawn equipment for your leaf blower, weed eater, and mower, and consider the effects of harsh chemicals — not only for your health but the impact it makes on our soil and drinking water.
Be mindful and know that lessening our carbon footprint isn’t a political conversation; [it] should be centered around having a healthy environment for yourself, your kids, and your family!
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Believe in yourself” — My beautiful husband, Peter Smith.
Faith, family, and friends notwithstanding, what are three things you can’t live without?
A good book, time spent in nature, and fig toast from E+Rose and Wellness!
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Nashville women are doing inspiring work. Meet more of them over at our FACES archives!
Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.