This side hustle highlight questions and answers (*4*)Marisa Risden32, with Denver, Colorado. Risden built a flexible, prosperous company ending the work traditionally dominated by men Taskrabbit. The answers were edited in terms of length and clarity.
Image loan: Courtesy of Taskrabbit. Marisa Risden.
What was your day by day work or basic occupation when you began your lateral hustle and bustle?
I spent nine years before Taskrabbit in public service as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, a role that strengthened my ability to resolve problems under pressure, clearly communicating and building trust with people in high stress situations. Although I think that work is significant, I wanted a latest challenge that ensured flexibility and the ability to make use of my skills in alternative ways.
When did you begin your side hustle and bustle and where did you discover inspiration for it?
I moved to the West in 2020 and in 2022 I discovered Taskrabbit as a technique to take control of my schedule and use my existing knowledge. My parents were the owners of a construction company, and my mother instilled in me the belief that I could learn and do all the things I assumed about. Long before DIY became a trend, she fought for home improvement projects, showing me first hand that girls can do anything! She made sure that I know methods to use power tools, paint and take home projects. What began as a technique to use these skills soon transformed into a specialized company offering advanced assembly and minor electrical work, combining technical precision with solving problems to supply high -quality installations for my clients.
What were some of the first steps you took to gather your site from the ground?
Initially, I focused on projects in my skill set, but when I gained experience, I developed more technical services, corresponding to electrical equipment installations and advanced assembly – tasks are often assumed by men. Taskrabbit allowed me to determine a highly rated service business in which recurring customers trust me precision, reliability and specialist knowledge.
If you would return to your corporation trip and change one process or approach, what would it not be and how do you regret that you’re going to not do it otherwise?
Two things stand out: optimization of my planning. At the starting I wasted a lot of time to go there back between Denver and Boulder for many tasks in one day. Now I’m asking customers in a proactively if they have the flexibility of switching time intervals with others, which allows me to enhance the route. Learning to ask for corrections was breakthrough.
I’d even be more cautious with plaster partitions. When I began, I used to be not aware of the potential threat to health -related health, especially in older houses where asbestos may occur. The plaster was widely used before the Nineteen Seventies, and exposure to dust asbestos is a health threat. Now I all the time wear a mask for the N99 ads and Gips, no matter the material I work with – there are many harmful things in building materials that I’d quite not breathe.
As for this specific business, what you think is particularly difficult and/or surprising that folks who enter this type of work must be prepared, but probably are not?
One of the most neglected challenges is to ask the right questions in advance. The more information I collect before the task – corresponding to the kind of wall, customer expectations and all potential obstacles – the smoother work. It also helps to avoid unnecessary travel to Home Depot Mid-Nagle to get a unique tool or equipment.
Do you remember a specific case when something went very mistaken – how did you fix it?
As with any practical work, you never really know what you are with until you go to the task and assess what you’re employed with. Setting up the task in advance can only get you so far; Surprises can and inevitably occur. What distinguishes me is my ability to trade and solve problems on the spot. Over the years of tasks, I discovered that my involvement in precision and triple checking of my work before performing was an integral a part of mistake prevention. And after all, when performing every task with the same commitment that can not be negotiated, I can make sure that my work is done every time, and most significantly that my clients are satisfied.
How long did it take you with a coherent monthly revenues? How much did the lateral hustle and bustle earn?
When I began, I had no review and set a lower hourly rate to build demand. I took up every available task by working long hours to get the momentum. Within a month or two I used to be consistently reserved, and until the third month I had a clear idea for my income potential. Initially, I earned about USD 2000 per 30 days, working on what was 24/7. But this hustle and bustle paid off; I built my popularity, gained a whole bunch of reviews and orders and I used to be capable of scale my company in a relatively short time. Now I can enjoy the balance between skilled and private life with my knowledge, which brings a more significant hourly rate and I can plan my free time to understand my labor.
What does growth and revenues appear to be now?
Taskrabbit was a invaluable source of income that I managed to scale or reduce based on my goals in the last three years. Sometimes I worked full-time, performing 40-45 tasks per 30 days, which corresponds to 70-80 hours of labor. The platform provides flexibility to take as much as you wish, which makes it a great option for those that need to build a company on their very own conditions. I often earn around 3500-4 $ 500 per 30 days, when I work “full-time” after 60-80 hours a month.
How much time do you spend at work in your organization every day, every day or every month?
Taskrabbit works in a model from customers, which implies that I do not all the time know what my week will appear to be. I often mark myself as available and wait for reservations. Unlike traditional work with Set Days, I’ll struggle my downtime around the reservation. For example, if I only have a planned morning task, I can take an afternoon to fulfill friends or spend a relaxed day without work. Seasonal demand also plays a role – busy periods corresponding to Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and holidays, bring more tasks. My marketing takes place primarily through referrals to the mouth and customers. The breakfast of the game was for me when I began asking for reviews every time before leaving the task-most of my clients have nothing against spending a few minutes to share their experiences.
What do you want best about running this business?
I like watching the project from starting to finish, but my clients are a real reason why I like this job so much. I had the opportunity to fulfill and help so many amazing people, and I’m proud to make their lives easier. Nothing will pierce a pleased client who refers to a friend because that they had a great experience with me.
What is your best, useful business advice?
In particular for women interested in similar work, I counsel:
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2. Invest in high -quality tools – having the right equipment makes every work more efficient and skilled.
3. Professionalism distinguishes you – customers prioritize specialist knowledge, communication and reliability in relation to all the things else.
4. We don’t intimidate: just start. Each expert was once a beginner, and the best technique to build trust is practical experience. You can learn skills, but determination, solving problems and the desire to find out things as time passes.
Take advantage of every opportunity to learn, because even little work matters. Smaller tasks build self -confidence, improve their skills and put a basis for greater possibilities. Each work teaches something latest, and the more experience you gain, the sooner you’ll grow into a higher value.
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