This Aspect Hustle Highlight Q&A options Marisa Risden32, of Denver, Colorado. Risden has constructed a versatile, thriving enterprise finishing historically male-dominated jobs on Taskrabbit. Responses have been edited for size and readability.
Picture Credit score: Courtesy of Taskrabbit. Marisa Risden.
What was your day job or major occupation while you began your aspect hustle?
Earlier than Taskrabbit, I spent 9 years in public service as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, a job that strengthened my capacity to problem-solve beneath stress, talk clearly and construct belief with individuals in high-stress conditions. Whereas I discovered the work significant, I wished a brand new problem that supplied flexibility and the chance to use my abilities in numerous methods.
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When did you begin your aspect hustle, and the place did you discover the inspiration for it?
I moved out west in 2020 and, in 2022, found Taskrabbit as a option to take management of my schedule and leverage my present experience. My mother and father owned a building firm, and my mother instilled in me the idea that I might be taught and do something I set my thoughts to. Lengthy earlier than DIY turned a pattern, she was tackling house enchancment tasks herself, displaying me firsthand that ladies can do something! She made positive I knew methods to use energy instruments, paint and tackle house tasks with confidence. What began as a option to apply these abilities quickly advanced right into a specialised enterprise providing superior mounting and minor electrical work, combining technical precision with problem-solving to ship high-quality installations for my shoppers.
What had been a few of the first steps you took to get your aspect hustle off the bottom?
Initially, I targeted on tasks inside my ability set, however as I gained expertise, I expanded into extra technical providers like electrical fixture installations and superior mounting — duties typically assumed to be dominated by males. Taskrabbit has allowed me to determine a extremely rated, in-demand service enterprise the place repeat shoppers belief me for precision, reliability and experience.
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If you happen to might return in your enterprise journey and alter one course of or method, what wouldn’t it be, and the way do you want you’d performed it in a different way?
Two issues stand out: Optimizing my scheduling. Early on, I wasted plenty of time driving backwards and forwards between Denver and Boulder for a number of duties in a single day. Now, I proactively ask shoppers if they’ve the pliability to change time slots with others, permitting me to streamline my route. Studying to ask for changes has been a game-changer.
I might even be extra cautious with plaster partitions. After I first began, I did not notice the potential well being dangers of drilling into plaster, notably in older houses the place asbestos could also be current. Plaster was generally used earlier than the Seventies, and publicity to asbestos mud poses well being dangers. Now, I at all times put on an N99 drywall masks whatever the materials I am working with — there’s plenty of dangerous stuff in building supplies that I might slightly not breathe in.
Relating to this particular enterprise, what’s one thing you’ve got discovered notably difficult and/or stunning that individuals who get into any such work ought to be ready for however probably aren’t?
One of the crucial ignored challenges is asking the precise questions upfront. The extra info I collect earlier than a process — comparable to wall kind, shopper expectations and any potential obstacles — the smoother the job goes. This additionally helps keep away from pointless journeys to House Depot mid-task for a novel instrument or {hardware}.
Are you able to recall a particular occasion when one thing went very mistaken — how did you repair it?
As with every hands-on work, you by no means actually know what you are up in opposition to till you get to the duty and consider what you are working with. Scoping the duty forward of time can solely get you to date; surprises can and can inevitably occur. What units me aside is my capacity to pivot and problem-solve on the spot. All through my years of tasking, I’ve discovered that my dedication to precision and triple-checking my work earlier than executing has been integral to stopping errors. And, in fact, by performing each process with that very same non-negotiable dedication, I am ready to make sure that my work is finished proper each time and, most significantly, that my shoppers are glad.
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How lengthy did it take you to see constant month-to-month income? How a lot did the aspect hustle earn?
After I first began, I had no evaluations and set a decrease hourly charge to construct demand. I took on each process obtainable, working lengthy hours to achieve momentum. Inside a month or two, I used to be constantly booked, and by the third month, I had a transparent thought of my revenue potential. Initially, I made round $2,000 per thirty days, working what felt like 24/7. However that hustle paid off; I constructed my popularity, gained a whole lot of evaluations and referrals and was capable of scale my enterprise considerably in a comparatively quick time frame. Now, I can take pleasure in a work-life stability with my experience fetching a extra substantial hourly charge, and I can schedule break day to understand my onerous work.
What does development and income appear like now?
Taskrabbit has been a precious supply of revenue that I have been capable of scale up or down based mostly on my objectives during the last three years. At occasions, I’ve labored full-time, finishing 40-45 duties per thirty days, which equates to 70-80 hours of labor. The platform offers the pliability to tackle as a lot or as little as you need, making it an awesome possibility for these seeking to construct a enterprise on their very own phrases. I will usually earn round $3,500-4,500 a month once I’m working “full-time” at 60-80 hours a month.
How a lot time do you spend engaged on your enterprise on a each day, weekly or month-to-month foundation?
Taskrabbit operates on a client-request mannequin, that means I do not at all times know what my week will appear like upfront. I often mark myself as obtainable and anticipate bookings. Not like a conventional job with set days off, I construction my downtime round my bookings. For instance, if I solely have a morning process scheduled, I’d take the afternoon off to fulfill associates or take pleasure in a relaxed time without work. Seasonal demand additionally performs a job — busy intervals like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and the vacations deliver in additional duties. My advertising primarily occurs via word-of-mouth and shopper referrals. The sport-changer for me was once I began asking for evaluations each time earlier than leaving a process — the vast majority of my shoppers do not thoughts taking a couple of minutes to share their experiences.
What do you take pleasure in most about operating this enterprise?
I like seeing a venture via from begin to end, however my shoppers are the actual motive I take pleasure in this work a lot. I’ve had the prospect to fulfill and assist so many unbelievable individuals, and I take delight in making their lives simpler. Nothing beats a cheerful shopper who refers a pal as a result of they’d an awesome expertise with me.
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What’s your finest piece of particular, actionable enterprise recommendation?
Particularly for girls fascinated with related work, my recommendation is:
1. Begin inside your consolation zone however push your self to develop — studying new abilities has allowed me to tackle higher-value duties.
2. Spend money on high quality instruments — having the precise tools makes any job extra environment friendly {and professional}.
3. Professionalism units you aside — shoppers prioritize experience, communication and reliability over anything.
4. Do not be intimidated: Simply get began. Each professional was as soon as a newbie, and one of the simplest ways to construct confidence is thru hands-on expertise. Abilities will be discovered, however dedication, problem-solving and a willingness to determine issues out as you go will take you far.
Take each alternative to be taught as a result of even small jobs matter. Smaller duties construct confidence, refine your abilities and lay the inspiration for greater alternatives. Each job teaches one thing new, and the extra expertise you acquire, the quicker you may develop into higher-value work.
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