Imagine going from being a bartender to being someone’s paid assistant as they attempt to track down a long-lost family member in the heart of San Francisco. Quite the change of pace!
This was just part of the TaskRabbit experience for Tasker Anthony T. Anthony came to our network from the food and beverage industry. When he’s not playing Nerf wars with his kids or hanging out with his dogs Maggie, Tofu, and Buster, he’s out there tasking in the Help Moving, Mounting, and Furniture Assembly categories (to name a few).
Here’s what Anthony had to say when we chatted with him about his experience:
What brought you to TaskRabbit?
I was in my 20th year of bartending, and being in the food and beverage industry was taking a toll on me. I’ve always been a DIY man who loves to create and fix things, and while I heard about TaskRabbit back in 2013, I never actually pursued it until 2014. It was simply an idea to gain extra side money when I started. Five years later, it has turned into a career. It’s changed my life and opened a lot of doors that weren’t open before.
What is your best tasking memory?
I picked up a task to assist a woman as she looked for her long-lost son in San Francisco, using the results of her hired private investigator. We never found her son, but we spent a very interesting and meaningful day looking.
What are some challenges you’ve been able to overcome while tasking?
Every task is prone to different challenges. I try to make sure that I have clear communication before and throughout the whole task process. Some tasks challenge me to bite my tongue, and some challenge me to find a tool that can do the task quickly—and correctly.
What values and attitudes influence your experience as a Tasker?
I always try to have clear communication before and during the task in progress. I am always polite, kind, and gracious when stepping into someone else’s home, so great etiquette is always a top priority.
How has TaskRabbit improved or affected your life?
TaskRabbit has completely changed my lifestyle. After 20 years of bartending (working nights, weekends, and holidays), I’m now my own boss and make my own schedule. I now have the freedom to spend more time with my family, and I have more energy to work on my side projects and develop new passions.
What was the most rewarding thing about your transition to becoming a Tasker?
The most rewarding thing is that I never have to look for anybody to cover my shifts anymore. It’s so great having more time and energy to spend with my family, whenever I want! Through my Clients, I actually feel valued and praised for the hard work I do. Helping Clients cross items off their to-do lists—and making their days better—also makes me feel good.
What advice do you have for other Taskers?
- Communicate clearly with your Clients from the start. Ask any necessary questions upfront, and update them on your progress (with pictures!) during the task so they know you’re actually working.
- After your task is complete, write a detailed description of the task, including any problems you had—it pays to cover yourself in this way!
- Consider creating “reply samples” on your phone to copy and paste to Clients asking about certain common issues.
- Don’t overbook yourself with too many tasks in one day and risk running late to the next task. Your Clients are setting time aside for you as well!
- Finally, know your worth, set your price list reasonably, charge accordingly, and don’t include lunches or breaks.
We agree with Anthony on all of the above tips! And we love that he has fully taken advantage of the opportunities that the platform has to offer. His attitude and enthusiasm make him a wonderful addition to our task management network!
