Raja V. is a big deal when it comes to TaskRabbit’s presence in France. His claim to fame? He was one of the first-ever Taskers in Paris! Even more important is his personal story — it’s an inspiring tale of perseverance and dream chasing.
Raja came to Paris as a student with €300 in his pocket. He had no job, no financial support, and limited French language skills. Caught in a bind when tuition fees came around, he had trouble finding a steady stream of income until he discovered TaskRabbit. Now, he has not only paid for his schooling with money he’s earned as a Tasker but also saved enough to send back home to his parents.
We asked Raja to share more details about his story, and the answers he gave didn’t just reiterate the pride we have in our platform. They offered a true testament to TaskRabbit’s power to change lives.
What did you do for a living before becoming a Tasker?
When I first came to Paris, I had no support structure in place, and getting a job was difficult. At first, I found a small income stream through Uber by picking up electric scooters, bringing them home, and charging them overnight. I would then deliver them back to the street by 6:00 every morning. After a month of this, I realized the amount I was earning didn’t match my expenses. I had to get a job fast, and I was lucky to find one at a restaurant as a runner, delivering food from kitchen to clients. I made better money, but I had very little time for breaks — I would often stop at the mall and sleep against pillars to rest. Four months in, I realized this schedule was also disturbing my master’s degree work, and I still needed more money to pay for school.
What’s the primary reason you joined TaskRabbit?
I had just finished my first year of studies when I learned that I had to pay the full tuition fee by the following September — just two months away — or else I’d have to leave school. With my limited French language skills, I thought it would be impossible to find a job on time. During my search, however, I found TaskRabbit’s website and applied to be a Tasker. I honestly didn’t expect a reply, but to my surprise, a TaskRabbit representative reached out to schedule a personal meet and greet.
How did your past experience — or lack thereof — prepare you for tasking?
I was very honest with my TaskRabbit representative and told her I’d never used a screwdriver in my life. How on earth could I be a Tasker? Yet she was so motivating. She told me the company provided a ton of educational content online and that there were other experienced Taskers in Paris who could teach me necessary skills during team tasks. So, I signed up. I immediately received 100 euros as a perk for being among the first 50 Taskers to join in France. I invested this money into a new toolkit and transportation costs, which definitely helped me feel more confident.
What was your first task like, and how did you ultimately find success as a Tasker?
I was so scared to go on my first task, but the process couldn’t have been smoother. Not only was the client very friendly, but the Tasker I teamed up with was so calm and helpful. He taught me multiple skills and showed me how to talk with clients about the work we were doing. It couldn’t have gone any better!
I ended up doing five team tasks before building the confidence to venture out on my own. To my surprise, clients were very happy with my work and gave me good reviews — and sometimes even good tips! After joining TaskRabbit, I quickly made €12,000 — enough to pay my university tuition fees. I was even able to save enough money to send home to my parents, who needed the extra support.
What has TaskRabbit impacted your life in the long term?
Before TaskRabbit, I had to take care of my parents, my monthly expenses, and my tuition fees — it was all very daunting. TaskRabbit helped ease the pain of these financial responsibilities in a very short time, allowing me to reach my goals quickly and even set new ones. I don’t know where I’d be without the platform, and I can’t recommend it enough. It even gave me enough freedom to have downtime to spend with friends or watch Netflix shows — something I really needed. If you’re an entrepreneur and like to be your own boss while working with a flexible schedule, then TaskRabbit is certainly for you.
Raja’s story is another incredible example of how perseverance, creativity, and a bit of TaskRabbit’s help can make all the difference when in a financial bind! Even through the challenges that come with relocating to a new country, Raja was able to face them head-on through his tasking experience. Thank you Raja for sharing your story, and keep sharing your positivity with the world!
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