In this interview for Side Hustle Spotlight, we have Emely Cepeda, 26, a dental student from Boston who makes money on the web market. Bunny. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Photo credit: courtesy of Emely Cepeda
What was your day-to-day occupation or primary occupation when you began your side hustle?
I began working as an assistant when I began my second 12 months of dental school, so I used to be a full-time student.
When did you begin doing this and where did you get the inspiration?
I began using Taskrabbit in August 2022. I used to be looking for ways to make money since the cost of living in Boston is so high (I mean, $3 for a box of pasta? Oh my!). I considered so many other ways to make money, and since I have a background in food service and catering (waiting and bartending), I used to be looking for a job in that field — the only thing that held me back was the lack of flexibility in those jobs and the inability to set my very own schedule since school was my primary priority.
I looked at other apps like UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub, but it didn’t look like the ideal method to drive and not have full control over your income. I saw a TikTok talking about Taskrabbit, and well, here we are! I knew I needed something I could control, without monthly limits (since I knew I’d have to take long breaks from work while studying), and have a connection to the people I used to be helping (Taskrabbit allows us to speak with our clients before confirming work).
What were the first steps you took to begin your side hustle?
The first step to becoming a Tasker is to enroll through the app or website. It cost me about $25 to get began because the app requires a background check, which I think is awesome because it provides some security measures for each clients and Taskers. Once my background check was approved, I used to be capable of start adding different tasks that I used to be good at (cleansing, cooking, organizing, arts and crafts, etc.) and start accepting requests.
What were the biggest challenges you faced while building your side hustle and how did you overcome them?
I think one of the biggest challenges for me when I first began Taskrabbit was having the confidence to walk into someone’s home and feel comfortable enough to do the job they hired me to do (especially cleansing and organizing). I know what it’s prefer to feel awkward when strangers are in your private home, but your client trusts you to get the job done. That trust gave me the confidence to tear off the band-aid and just do it. I used to be nervous at first, but after I did it once or twice, it went easily and I began to actually enjoy it. I just kept going with the tasks and it really paid off.
How long did it take you to see a regular monthly income? How much did you earn from this side hustle?
From the day I began outsourcing, it took about two weeks before I saw a regular stream of income. Because I offer several several types of tasks, the earning potential for each varies (some tasks charge more based on market demand and my skills). Some months I don’t do any organizing tasks; some months I don’t do any cleansing or cooking tasks. But that’s the fantastic thing about it — I get to decide on what I would like to do and how much I would like to do it.
I’ve remodeled $1,300 in one month doing side hustles and over $500 in one day for just a few hours of labor. Some months I do not do any work on account of my school schedule, but during the months I do work, I make an average of $576 monthly.
How is growth and revenue looking now?
Once you get began, the app will suggest a price advice that you could use for each task you choose to supply, based on the area you’re employed in, the category of the task, and your experience level. As you complete a few tasks, the beneficial price will increase. In short, the more you complete, the more you’ll be able to earn. For example, I started off making around $25 an hour for cleansing tasks. Two years and over 40 five-star reviews later, I’m making an average of $55-$65 an hour for the same task. For organizing, I started off making around $20 an hour and now I’m charging over $40 an hour for the same task. For cooking, I started off at $20 an hour and now it’s as much as $35 an hour. This increase reflects the variety of tasks you’re doing. I’ve done a lot more cleansing tasks, so my earning potential is higher than some of the other jobs I do, because I have more cleansing experience (and subsequently more reviews).
What do you want most about this extracurricular activity?
I really love helping people. That’s my primary reason for selecting dentistry. There’s nothing more satisfying than helping someone organize, clean, or cook. Taking that burden off people has been the most rewarding experience. Yes, earning profits is a privilege, but I’ve had clients who were moved by helping them and taking the burden off their shoulders.
What advice would you give to others who want to begin their very own successful side business?
Put into it what you wish to get out of it. There are months when I am unable to work on account of school and then I do not see any income. But other lighter months I can make a ton of cash using the “free time” I have. Honestly, you’ll be able to make a ton of cash on Taskrabbit if you set in the time and work, like I do. I also are inclined to work a lot during busy times of the 12 months (like moving in September, holiday seasons, etc.) because there’s more demand for Taskers (and subsequently I make more cash). Use your time and resources properly and you will be arrange for success in the future. Use the time you have and make the tasks you are taking on price it.