When Nicole F. quit her regular office job without other work lined up, tasking became more than just a way for Nicole to pay the bills. Now she feels empowered by her skills, is never bored, and has even renewed her love for New York City.
Do you relate to Nicole’s TaskRabbit tale (or tail, if we’re being punny 🐰)?
What did you do for a living before becoming a Tasker?
Worked a regular office job 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at tech startups.
What brought you to TaskRabbit?
I quit my 9-5 job after feeling really stuck and unable to progress forward with my career. I quit with the intention of starting my own business in some capacity, and signed up for TaskRabbit on a whim to help supplement my income until I fully figured everything out. Honestly, I had really low expectations that I’d get any tasks (I’m not handy nor do I like moving stuff), but my first week was a huge success with multiple repeat Clients. I was making almost as much as I made at my full-time office job, but I was happier and felt great about doing something I’m really good at.
What is your best tasking memory?
A local clothing store in Brooklyn was having a Caribbean party in celebration of J’ouvert, and I scooped free Italian ice (a yummy treat in hot NYC summers!) in front of the store and served it to the community. My hand hurt like crazy when I was done, but it was really special and rewarding to see how happy everyone was to receive a free treat. I love that TaskRabbit has taken me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to explore different parts of the city I normally don’t have occasion to go to.
What types of challenges has TaskRabbit allowed you to overcome?
Quitting a job without having one lined up is scary, but I knew the risks involved when doing so. TaskRabbit has given me an extra buffer of income to help me take my time figuring out my next longer term move. This way, I don’t feel rushed or pressured to jump into something that I know isn’t right for me just for the sake of living comfortably. Also, at my last job, I constantly felt worn down and defeated. TaskRabbit has helped me rebuild my confidence and remind me that I’m truly gifted and what I do helps people every day.
What values and attitudes do you try to live by?
I believe in full transparency and diplomacy. Speak up if you think you won’t be able to meet a Client’s expectations, but do it with tact and care.
How has TaskRabbit improved or affected your life?
TaskRabbit has given me the freedom and empowerment to run my own business and create my own day-to-day. Although I’ve lived in NYC for 10 years now, it has allowed me to fall in love with the city—and its people—all over again, right as I was feeling very defeated by the city.
What was the most rewarding thing about your transition to becoming a Tasker?
I’ve always considered myself a “Jill of all trades.” I’ve never been a true master of anything at my office jobs, and that prohibited me from progressing forward in my career. TaskRabbit has allowed me to take advantage of many of the various skills I’ve learned throughout the years to have an ever-changing variety of tasks and challenges in front of me. I never get bored, that’s for sure!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with other Taskers?
Respond quickly. Clients appreciate it, and it’s always integral to booking a task and having an overall positive Client experience from beginning to end.
Great Client reviews underline Nicole’s “Jill of all trades” skill set that she applies to the array of categories in which she tasks, including Personal Assistant, Organization, Event Staffing, Errands, and many more. We couldn’t be happier that TaskRabbit has provided a platform for Nicole to feel empowered by what she knows and excels at, all in the name of lending Clients all over New York City a helping hand.
I’m in a similar boat and, just starting out on Task Rabbit. I don’t live in as densely populated and area as New York and, only see two taskers in my area,with great reviews, who charge about 7x the suggested rates. I’d like to know what ways are appropriate to get more exposure and get started on tasks. It may just be that people don’t know about TaskRabbit around here.
Hi Pamela,
I recommend signing up for one of our Market Yourself workshops, and one is actually taking place next week! Here’s the sign up link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/8826b5d67a61b1648c34be5db4a05ad8
Great story!
Nice job Nicole. Love your story. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my Tasker experience as well. Responding quickly and marking your “Same Day Availability” to YES each day has been helpful for me.