Flex CEO Kristin Sharp Testifies Before House Small Business Committee on Essential Role of App-Based Platforms

Today, Flex Association CEO Kristin Sharp testified before the House Small Business Committee on the essential role app-based platforms play in supporting small businesses and providing flexible, on-demand income for millions of Americans.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy,” said Sharp. “And app-based platforms have become one of the most powerful tools they have.”

In her testimony, Sharp emphasized that the app-based economy is a powerful driver of small business growth, generating billions in additional revenue for restaurants and retailers each year. At the same time, these platforms enable millions of Americans to earn income quickly and flexibly – often serving as a financial lifeline.

Sharp also highlighted that this work can serve as a pathway to entrepreneurship, helping individuals build income, gain experience, and take steps toward starting their own businesses. According to a recent Rice University study, new business creation rises by up to 6% after gig platforms are introduced in a city, and interest in entrepreneurship increases up to 12%. 

Small business owner Lisa Alvarez, owner of Joyce Florist of Dallas, testified before the committee as well. Alvarez, who has owned Joyce Florist for nearly 30 years, spoke about how her family-run business has grown and adapted over generations, and how partnerships with platforms like DoorDash are helping it continue to thrive. In 2025, the business generated more than $60,000 in sales on the DoorDash Marketplace, introducing the shop to new customers across the Dallas area.

“Joyce Florist of Dallas is a four-generation family business, and everything we do is about supporting our team and serving our community,” said Lisa Alvarez. “Partnering with platforms like DoorDash has helped us reach new customers and simplify delivery, which means we can spend more time focusing on our craft and our customers especially during our busiest seasons. It’s made a real difference for our business and helped us continue growing here in Dallas.”

Flex urged policymakers to preserve the independence workers value and modernize outdated policies to reflect today’s dynamic workforce.

“The nature of work is changing, but the need for security and opportunity is not,” Sharp said. “If we want an economy that works for today’s workers, we should strengthen the systems that people rely on to earn income and reach their financial goals.”

Please find Sharp’s full written testimony here and oral testimony here.

About Flex. Flex is the voice of the app-based economy, representing America's leading app-based rideshare and delivery platforms and the people who count on them. Our member companies — DoorDash, Grubhub, HopSkipDrive, Instacart, Lyft, Shipt and Uber— help provide access to crucial goods and services to customers safely and efficiently, offer flexible earning opportunities to workers and support economic growth in communities across the country.