Imagine that you have an AirBNB apartment in New York City. You regularly use TaskRabbit as a client to find experienced cleaners or handypeople for minor home repairs. Everything is going great until…a global pandemic hits. Everything stops, your AirBNB becomes your safe haven, and you’re left wondering what comes next.
Gabriela L. lived this story. Originally from Brazil, she was living in New York City when Covid-19 turned the world upside down. She was struggling to find a job that paid enough to cover her child’s school tuition until she realized the answer was right in front of her: TaskRabbit. She had used it as a client, so why not try it as a Tasker?
Read on to see how this idea changed Gabriela’s life—and gave her the boost she needed to build a successful business.
You’ve experienced being both a client and a Tasker on TaskRabbit. How has switching roles impacted your life?
TaskRabbit definitely helped me out of a difficult spot, and I’m very grateful! In the eight months leading up to my move from Brazil to the US, I was a residential facility administrator. After the move, I was very apprehensive about the low rates I was being offered for similar jobs in New York. TaskRabbit became my way not just to start a new life here but also to make it comfortable. On top of this, I was also a full-time mom. My daughter was one of the reasons I moved here—my partner and I thought it would be better for her.
In the back of my mind, I knew it could be challenging for us to relocate to the US—and it was. That’s where TaskRabbit came in to save the day. At first, I was earning about the same income as I would have at other jobs, but I soon realized that working as a cleaning Tasker could grow my finances way faster. Less than a month after I started working, my daughter was in school, and I was able to help with the bills. My English has also improved drastically since I started tasking, as I speak it daily with clients—it has even helped turn some of my clients into friends! My life as a Tasker just gets better and better.
What advice would you give to Taskers who are thinking about joining the platform?
First, be respectful in every way. Always try to hear and understand your clients’ needs, and arrive on time—or even 10 minutes early! This is a great way to show you respect their time and value your job.
Second, be honest when you don’t know how to do something. Clients will appreciate the transparency, and you’ll always end up on a track toward the best solution.
Finally, keep working on yourself each day to improve your tasking skills. This will only increase your chances of seeing amazing financial results!
What have your top tasking experiences been, and why were they meaningful and memorable?
Honestly, I love all my clients. They are so kind to me. I’ve had certain clients help me with college application documents and others who always give me a small “thank you” gift (like chocolate!). I learn something new each day, which is, overall, very meaningful to me.
When I decided to become a Tasker, I believed I could make a good income even if it took me a while to get to that point. In my mind, it was just a temporary thing, and I planned either to find a “regular” job or go to college. I quickly found that the process to get into college can be really frustrating for a foreigner; it’s a very different system here than the one I was accustomed to. Then, one day, I mentioned this goal during a conversation with my client. They immediately helped me put every document I needed together and supported me with my registration. While I ultimately decided to hold off on my studies in favor of building my TaskRabbit business, this client—now one of the friends I mentioned above—gave me everything I needed to take the next step!
What have your most challenging cleaning tasks been, and how do you resolve issues that come up?
I’m often hired by clients who live in chaotic situations. While this can be very challenging for me, I actually still enjoy it! When I walk through the door, these clients often feel embarrassed about having completely lost control over their personal spaces. I once heard from a client that he had hired two different people before hiring me. Both of them walked away upon seeing his house.
I believe we can find good things anywhere, so I don’t just see a mess in these situations. I see a chance to focus on one little space at a time, and I try to make the client as comfortable as possible. After all, it’s their house, and that’s how they should feel when spending time there, right? In the end, what makes me happiest is seeing how delighted and grateful my clients are.
Has your experience as a Tasker led to any unexpected interests?
When I started out as a Tasker, I was only tasking in the Cleaning category. A little later, I decided to try something different but related: organizing. As it turned out, I absolutely loved these tasks, so I’ve since added it as a category on my profile!
If you could do a task anywhere, for anyone, who would it be and why?
I’d love to do a task for the person who created TaskRabbit. Getting the chance to speak with her and learn about her mindset in those early days would be an amazing opportunity.
What are your hobbies outside of TaskRabbit? What excites you most in life?
I’m very active, so I’m always practicing some type of sport. I also love to read, travel, and face new challenges—I never turn my back on an opportunity to learn something new!
We’re certain Gabriela’s enthusiasm for growth and development can be an inspiration for anyone looking to start—and grow—a business on TaskRabbit. All they’ll need is a dose of her positivity and an intention to create the life of their dreams.
