Task of the Week: Bake the Cake

April 24th, 2012

With TaskRabbit, you can have your cake and free time, too.

Stephanie K. had cake on the brain. Tiny, elegant, orb-shaped cakes, to be precise. As she researched dessert recipes for her husband’s surprise 40th birthday party, she caught wind of the “cake ball” trend. They were everywhere. On Pinterest, on her favorite blogs, and even in wedding magazines, She knew these tiny cake nibbles would be a unique and fun addition to the party, but she also knew she’d never have the time to make them. That’s why she needed Joan C., Boston TaskRabbit and pastry dominator. Joan baked the cake, crumbled it up (we suspect this part was the most fun), mixed in frosting, rolled the dough into tiny balls, and dipped them in chocolate bark. On a separate Task for the party, Joan also helped whip up some bacon-wrapped scallops. With the fancy apps and desserts all taken care of, Stephanie had time to focus on her guests. The result? An awesome 40th birthday for a man with a very wise wife (and plenty of cake).

The Very First TaskRabbit Town Hall

April 20th, 2012

TaskRabbit Ambassador Erika (left) and the evening's panelists.

Last night, dozens of TaskRabbits descended upon NextSpace in San Francisco’s SOMA neighborhood for the very first TaskRabbit Town Hall. TaskRabbits mingled with each other, nibbled on a catered spread from Bi-Rite Market, and brainstormed ideas about running Tasks at stations throughout the room.

All TaskRabbits in attendance, like panelist John L., walked away with fresh swag.

The TaskRabbits in attendance gathered in a circle for the night’s discussion. TaskRabbit Ambassador Erika Murdock Balbuena welcomed everyone, and began the evening by debuting The TaskRabbit Credo. The Credo is a living document encompassing the spirit and ethos of the micro-entrepreneurs that make up the TaskRabbit Community. You can read the entire thing here.

The evening’s panel introduced themselves by sharing their favorite Task stories. Holly C., a level 11 TaskRabbit, said her most memorable Task was doing a Costco run for a blind woman. “It made me realize that this is a significant thing we’re doing for people.” Level 14 TaskRabbit Kim E. loved delivering a Thank You card for an applicant to the TaskRabbit team who was later hired. John L., a level 12 TaskRabbit, shared the story of a friendship that developed between him and a senior TaskPoster during the course of completing her Task. Level 9 TaskRabbit Nick C. regaled the room with the story of working a Persian New Year’s party on a rooftop. The evening was a stormy one, and the clouds parted just as the belly dancers began their performance.

Daniel R. won the night's raffle prize — a spiffy new TaskRabbit track jacket.

The discussion was led by the panelists but included everyone in attendance. TaskRabbits took the opportunity to share their personal tips on running Tasks, bidding well, staying safe, and leveling up. The night showcased everything we love about the awesome and friendly Bay Area TaskRabbits. It was a group of micro-entrepreneurs gathering to collaborate on best practices to enrich the broader community. We can’t wait until the next one!

The TaskRabbit Credo

April 20th, 2012

Our mission is to connect busy people with entrepreneurs who can help them get things done. In the process, we’re bringing back that old time neighborhood spirit. In celebration of these incredible entrepreneurs who are the heroes of the TaskRabbit community, we’re thrilled to introduce the TaskRabbit Credo. This statement is a living document that reflects the spirit and mission of what it is to be a TaskRabbit.

The TaskRabbit Credo

We’re entrepreneurs. We decide when we want to work and how much we want to bid for each Task.

We master every single Task because we love to make TaskPosters say “wow.” If things go wrong, we make them right.

We’re awesome communicators because being that way makes every Task better. We know how to listen and ask the right questions, and TaskPosters love us for it.

We think creatively to solve little problems before they become big problems.

We’re trustworthy, not just because we’ve been vetted through formal channels, but because we’re dedicated professionals on a mission.

We’re part of the movement working toward building a more collaborative economy.

We’re friendly neighbors, and we’re working hard to bring back that neighborhood spirit to our communities.

We have the right to safe Tasking environments, respectful interactions with TaskPosters, and support from TaskRabbit Member Services.

There are thousands of stories in the TaskRabbit community and we’re the heroes of them all.

10 Tasks to Try For Earth Day

April 19th, 2012

Show nature a little love this weekend.

Oh Earth Day – a glorious cause for celebration that somehow always leaves people feeling guilty for not being better environmental stewards year-round. This weekend, we hope you join us in just saying “no” to feeling bad. With diverse skills ranging from sewing and cooking to household repairs and gardening, there’s an army of TaskRabbits standing by to take on our carbon footprints. Here are ten of our favorite TaskRabbit-assisted Earth Day activities:

1. “Plant a tree.”
This traditional way to celebrate Earth Day isn’t just symbolic. Trees produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and help prevent soil erosion. Plus, if you plant a fruit-bearing tree, you save money and cut down on the carbon footprint associated with your diet (no more trucking lemons in from Florida). If you don’t have time (or don’t know how) to plant a tree yourself, hire a TaskRabbit with a green thumb to help you out.

2. “Change all my lightbulbs.”
By now, you’ve probably heard the stats on energy efficient light bulbs a million times. They use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, preventing greenhouse gas emissions and slashing your energy costs. So why haven’t you replaced every bulb in your home yet? Oh yeah, that pesky little issue of time. This Earth Day, hire a TaskRabbit to pick up enough lightbulbs for your home and change every single one.

3. “Teach me how to cook an earth-friendly meal.”
Eating more sustainably can have a big impact on your carbon footprint, but getting started can be quite intimidating. Food-savvy TaskRabbits can teach you how to shop locally and organically, show you the ins and outs of your local farmers’ market, and guide you through preparing a meal that will make you (and Mother Earth) smile.

4. “Start my compost pile, and show me how to use it.”
Composting is breezy once you get started, but the set up can be overwhelming. A TaskRabbit can help you build the perfect compost bin, scout the best location for it, and even handle the worms for you.

5. “Get my bike road-ready.”
Every Earth Day you tell yourself the same thing, “I’m going to start biking to work.” Hire a TaskRabbit to help hold you to it. She can whip your bike into commuting shape by changing the chain, filling the tires, scraping the rust, and adding bike lights and bells. She might even be willing to teach you how to ride it again…

6. “Help me purge and repurpose my old stuff.”
Use this Earth Day weekend to tackle that garage, attic, or basement storage space. TaskRabbits can help with sorting through junk, staging a yard sale, or carting things off to donation facilities. Your old stuff will get a new life instead of ending up in the dump or languishing in your crawl space.

7. “Staff my Earth Day event.”
Already have an Earth Day event planned for the weekend? Whether it’s a picnic, clean-up party, or kiddie craft day, TaskRabbits can help set up, tear down, and staff the whole shindig.

8. “Whip my recycling system into shape.”
If your recycling system is taking up half your kitchen, it might be time to hire a TaskRabbit to tame it. A friendly and organized TaskRabbit can help upgrade your system to your specifications, or dream up a creative solution that works for your family.

9. “Fix my leaks.”
Did you know that just one leaky faucet dripping only 10 times per minute can waste up to 3 liters of water per day? That’s 347 gallons per year. A skilled TaskRabbit can scout out all faucets in your home and stop the drips for good.

10. “Upcycle something.”
How much time do you really have to do-it-yourself? Hire a crafty TaskRabbit for whatever upcycle project you’ve been putting off. She can turn old drapes into a tablecloth or sew a dog bed out of worn-out concert T-shirts. Repurposing old items is a creative and green way to celebrate Earth Day.

Inspired? Post your Earth Day Task right now. 

Task of the Week: Sew Me This

April 17th, 2012

Here's the point: TaskRabbits can make your style dreams come true.

We’ve seen plenty of Tasks posted for basic clothing repair and alterations. There’ve also been many seamstress Tasks about curtains: making them, shortening them, splitting one panel into two. Yep, the TaskPoster community has long tapped into the sewing talent of their TaskRabbit neighbors, but lately we’re seeing an evolution of sorts. TaskPosters like Michelle F. are finding inspiration — like this gorgeous (but sold-out) tutu-esque skirt from Shabby Apple she spotted on Pinterest — and hiring crafty TaskRabbits to sew similar pieces with personal touches from scratch. Boston TaskRabbit Jennifer R. tackled Michelle’s tutu with style and grace (just like a ballerina). Likewise, TaskPoster Alfred M. was impressed by a jacket with LED turn signals sewn into the back for biking, so he hired Sarah W. to build a T-shirt that functioned in the same way. Knowing that so many TaskRabbits are masters of needles and thread gives way to endless possibilities: Imagine, every time we see some covetable piece of clothing on a blog, in a magazine, or gracing our favorite Pinboards we can personalize it and make it ours.

Collaboratively Speaking with Project Trust’s Lauren Anderson

April 17th, 2012

In this episode of Collaboratively Speaking, TaskRabbit Founder Leah Busque discusses trust and safety with Lauren Anderson, the Innovation Director of Collaborative Lab and Founder of Project Trust. During her work with Rachel Botsman and Collaborative Lab, Lauren was part of the initial push to connect founders of sharing-based companies around the world and provide a common vocabulary for the Collaborative Consumption space. As one of the early architects of the movement, she has a unique perspective on the challenges these companies face.

During her discussion with Leah, Lauren reflects on the roles the economic crisis, environmental issues, and the influx of social media tools played in the emergence of Collaborative Consumption.  She also points out that the sharing economy is unseating a long tradition of direct-from-brand buying, with the community growing well beyond its initial base of early adopters. New users experience one fundamental barrier to entry: whether or not the person or company on the other end of the transaction can be trusted.

Lauren discusses the importance of a new user’s very first experience with any Collaborative Consumption company — it will inform his opinion on all other companies within the movement. Prioritizing a seamless user experience, appealing to user’s social selves, and providing an environment of trust and security are all part and parcel to making that first experience a great one.

She also shares the mission and methods of Project Trust, which she describes as a “PayPal for trust.” Project Trust is dedicated to bringing together businesses in the Collaborative Consumption space to create a best-in-class set of tools to assure safety and security across the board.

Not only does this discussion between Leah and Lauren mark the second installment of Collaboratively Speaking, it helps move forward a dialogue about trust that’s central to building a more collaborative future. After you watch, we hope you’ll add your voice to this important conversation.

 

Happy Birthday From Your Friendly Neighborhood TaskRabbit

April 16th, 2012

We talk about it a lot … the neighborly connections made possible through the TaskRabbit community, and we just love seeing these friendly connections in the making. That’s why our hearts were warmed this weekend when TaskRabbit Justin D. remembered the birthday (the big 4!) of Lizzy, the daughter of Brian L., a San Francisco TaskPoster (and our VP of Engineering).

Not only did Justin remember Lizzy's birthday, he remembered how much she loves Dora the Explorer.

It didn't take long for Lizzy to convince Brian to develop the TaskRabbit DoraPhone App.

Introducing TaskRabbit Ambassador Erika Murdock Balbuena

April 12th, 2012

Bringing back that old time neighborhood spirit is easy when there are good neighbors involved. We’re lucky to have a whole army of them in the form of friendly, talented, and entrepreneurial TaskRabbits. Every day, TaskRabbits in cities around the country put smiles on faces, scratch errands off To-Do lists, and save the day for busy people right in their own communities.

Supporting TaskRabbits in every way possible is a top priority for us, which is why we’re thrilled to welcome Erika Murdock Balbuena to the team as our new TaskRabbit Ambassador. Say hi, Erika:

How the Sharing Economy is Helping Small Businesses Thrive

April 11th, 2012

Collaborative consumption companies help small businesses set up shop.

Businesses within the sharing economy help busy people live more efficiently while supporting micro-entrepreneurs. But did you know they can also help small business owners set up shop, struggle through the lean times, scale their companies, and even improve their product offerings? Leah’s latest column in The Huffington Post is about just that. Here’s a look:

When a person decides to open up a brick-and-mortar business, push “go” on a startup concept, or venture in any other way into full-fledged business ownership, a lot of questions pop up. Questions about money, product viability, staffing, working space, equipment costs, and about whether their company will be welcomed into the market. One question in particular overshadows the excitement of having a great business idea: Is it worth the risk?

I’ve witnessed case study after case study of the sharing economy taking this risk off the table for small business founders, and let me tell you: I’m inspired. There used to be only a few inconvenient answers to the question, “How will I finance this?” A founder could get a small business loan from a bank, something that’s now so rare it’s akin to stumbling upon a unicorn at your local Starbucks. She might be lucky enough to find a willing investor or beg a personal loan from friends and family, but these options aren’t available to everyone, particularly on the heels of a recession. She could finance it herself, cash in a 401(k) plan or drain a savings account, but in this economy she may have already used any spare funds to make ends meet. Alternately, if this fledgeling founder is hip to the collaborative consumption movement, she could activate her existing idle resources to generate some startup funds and pare down or offset her living expenses during those first lean years. That’s exactly what Jamie Wong of Vayable did. Jamie boot-strapped her collaborative consumption business by renting her spare room out on Airbnb and participating in car sharing programs to save money. Now that’s walking the walk. Read the entire column here.

If you own a business, dream of starting one, or simply want to know how lean companies from cupcake shops to gaming startups are leveraging the sharing economy, this one’s worth the read.

Task of the Week: Walk the Dog

April 10th, 2012

Dogs and Rabbits — animal kingdom besties!

We’ve had dogs on the brain lately. We blame this mostly on Kobe and the army of TaskRabbit office dogs he commands, but the TaskRabbit community is also furthering our puppy obsession by posting so many canine-related Tasks. Last week, we shared the story of TaskRabbit’s role in helping a family find the dog of their dreams, but for this week’s Task of the Week we wanted to bring it down to the everyday level: TaskRabbits can walk your dogs.

How simple and brilliant and easy is that? New York City TaskPoster Joe D. found out when he enlisted TaskRabbit Nyna N. to take care of his pup, Anthony, while he was away on a last-minute business trip. Busy Boston TaskPoster Jessica W. needed her greyhound walked and fed regularly, so she posted a Recurring Task. Dog-loving TaskRabbit Lyndsey S. is happily helping her out. Los Angeles art student and TaskPoster Laura L. had the same idea, so now her local TaskRabbit Denise K. helps walk and feed her little pugs every week. Using TaskRabbits to help with your pets isn’t a new idea (hey, we were founded because Kobe needed dog food), but we’re thrilled that so many TaskPosters now rely on their TaskRabbit neighbors as part of their puppy routines.