At Taskrabbit, our mission is to transform lives one task at a time. Few things are more rewarding than seeing the unique journeys Taskers build through their work. This quarter, we’re excited to spotlight Yvonne who has not only transformed the lives of her clients but also experienced transformative growth herself. From learning new skills to building new friendships—and even finding love—Yvonne shares hard-won lessons and invaluable advice in the Q&A below.
You started Tasking during a very difficult chapter in your life. What inspired you to start tasking? What strategies did you use to build your platform?
In 2018, I was 25, living in my car with my 5-year-old son. I couldn’t keep a job for more than a year and was pinching pennies while doing food deliveries and working as a server. I found Taskrabbit late one night while browsing, looking for something different—a change. My strategies improved on Taskrabbit when I realized I needed to create a strong introduction for each new client and stay persistent by engaging with them. I even used an app called Stride to track mileage and receipts for tax purposes. I also invested in my supplies to make tasks easier, until I was able to fully move away from other jobs and focus on Taskrabbit full-time. Eventually, I started making more money while working fewer hours, which allowed me to save up for my own place. Now my son and I are no longer sleeping in a car, but in a nice warm home.
What are misconceptions people have about being a Tasker? What surprised you most about the job when you began?
You don’t always have to say yes to every task offer. Make sure to chat with the customer and ask the right questions to see if this is the right job for you and for their needs. Sometimes you may challenge yourself, and that’s okay because you never know what to expect on a new task. It could go well or not, but failure is part of learning.
The first time I did a cleaning task, my client was impatient and rude, and I only had a small amount of cleaning supplies that I had bought from the dollar store. I gave them a discount because I was unprepared, but I stayed patient and kept trying. In the end I got paid and kept improving the quality of my cleaning supplies, building new skills, and keeping my customers satisfied with updates and scheduling to show my gratitude. Over 5 years, I went from $15 an hour to $40, while streamlining my client base to focus on consistent relationships that supported both their needs and mine.
What’s a moment you’ve felt truly proud of yourself while Tasking? Have you developed any unexpected skills or talents while Tasking?
I had a graphic design task from someone in New York. They needed help completing a project—an art catalog—by resizing it in Canva. I took the challenge even though I had no idea how, but I had already been using Canva for almost 3 years. For the 2 hours requested, I researched how to resize the catalog. After double-checking my work, I sent it to my customer, and she was very satisfied. In the end, I not only delivered what she needed but also learned something new myself.
Since then, I’ve continued building my graphic design skills, creating everything from flyers to business cards to social media posts.
How has your career as a Tasker impacted your life?
Without Taskrabbit, I would have never met my fiancée. We met while I was tasking at Central Market for a coffee company that needed its product priced and shelved correctly. He was a cashier, and I decided to go through his lane. We got to talking, and I eventually invited him out on a date. I shared the place and time, but not my phone number. To my surprise, he showed up—we’ve been together for 4 years.
How have you grown personally since you began Tasking? Have you built any long-term client relationships through Taskrabbit?
I have gained confidence in myself and learned how to make sure that my clients and I work together to achieve their tasks. It truly has changed the way I think about work, drawing on different jobs and skills I’ve attained throughout the years. Now, I feel a real sense of belonging when helping each new or returning customer.
I’ve had many clients for more than 4 years while cleaning. One was a children’s heart doctor who always surprised me with a generous Christmas tip. I had two newly married couples, and we would always chat about gaming while I cleaned. And there was a loving family from India who was so kind that, during every visit, they shared Chai tea and biscuits as a gesture of gratitude.
Pro Tip from Yvonne:
“Always take photos before, during, and after a task, and keep good records for tax purposes—it will save you every time.”
Live in Austin and want to book a task with Yvonne? Check out her profile for skills and availability here.
