For many people, life doesn’t follow the typical 9-to-5 work schedule. Nor does it follow an easy, predictable path. When life goals are specific and unique, they often dictate a different approach to living—one that requires freedom, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
This is the life of Tasker Brandy M. Brandy, who overcame substantial challenges during childhood, has built her life around a set of goals that align with her ambition to be a good person and leave the world a better place than she found it. As a Tasker, she has found a way to balance the necessity of earning an income with the pursuit of her dreams—which range from non-profit management to film production—all while staying open to whatever uncharted step might come next.
We chatted with Brandy about how TaskRabbit has helped her embrace this approach to life, and here’s what she had to say:
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What types of challenges has TaskRabbit allowed you to overcome?
I had a pretty rough childhood. Before losing my mother, we lived off of food stamps in state-subsidized housing. We didn’t have much. When I moved to live with other family members, my financial situation improved, but not having a lot of money in my formative years definitely left an impact. The fear of financial insecurity is always in the back of my mind. Even in better financial times, I’ve always felt a need to work as hard as I can to earn money. TaskRabbit has given me a steady flow of income and opportunities over the last 4 years, and I’m thankful that it’s been an option for me.
What brought you to TaskRabbit initially?
I started tasking right after graduating from college because I got a job running the Portland chapter of a small non-profit called Skate Like a Girl. It was more of a passion project than a bill-payer at the time. I needed to find an additional source of income that was flexible enough to allow me to run our programs and manage the chapter. TaskRabbit was the perfect solution.
What was the most rewarding thing about your transition to becoming a Tasker?
Being a Tasker has given me the ability to follow my passions. When I first started tasking, it allowed me to work for a non-profit that was close to my heart. Now, I’ve been able to pursue my dreams of working in film and video production. TaskRabbit gives me the flexibility to take film classes and work on projects while providing me with additional income to supplement freelance film work.
What are your favorite benefits of being a Tasker?
Being a Tasker and being able to set my own schedule allows me to live a life that I couldn’t if I was stuck in a 9-5 office job. I have a tendency to be a workaholic, but when I feel myself getting burned out, I just flip off my availability and do whatever I need to do to recharge. Sometimes, that just means going snowboarding or hiking in the middle of the week. Sometimes, it means taking 4 months off to go on a road trip. Very few professions allow for that flexibility. I’m extremely grateful that, as a Tasker, I’m able to be spontaneous and live the life I want to live.
Do you have any advice for other Taskers, or people just starting out?
Yes—for Taskers who work in the furniture assembly category: if you’re assembling an item that has drawers, build the drawers first. Since they’re pretty quick to put together, it’s an easy way to show progress to the Client. Sometimes, bed frames or dressers can take over an hour to even start looking like something. If the Client sees the drawers put together, they’re more likely to have a “Wow! You’re doing that so fast!” reaction, even if it still takes the same amount of time to complete. That usually helps bring in positive reviews and tips. Plus, getting the drawers out of the way usually uses up a fair amount of the hardware and pieces so you aren’t digging through as much for the rest of the assembly.
And finally, what is your favorite thing about life?
I try to make life an adventure, and I’ve been very fortunate to have some amazing travel experiences. I did an 800-mile solo bike trip from Vancouver, BC to Portland and a 1,000-mile solo bike trip around Ireland. I’ve spent a summer in Argentina, and I’ve now been to 49 states (I’m coming for you, Alaska!). I’m always looking toward the next adventure!
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Brandy truly embodies what it means to be a great Tasker. With her sunny disposition, bright outlook, and impressive work ethic, she inspires everyone here at TaskRabbit HQ to keep on building the best freelance business platform possible!
If you’re a Tasker and have a great story to share, or if you know of a fellow Tasker who would make a great feature for our #TaskerTuesday series, please comment below!
