#TaskerTuesday: Brandy M., Portland

At TaskRabbit, we’re proud to help people make a meaningful living on their own terms. From finding flexibility to pursue other passions, to building a business, to saving money for a life goal, Taskers join our community for a diverse range of reasons. #TaskerTuesday spotlights the stories behind the people at the heart of TaskRabbit. 

For many of our Taskers, life doesn’t follow the typical 9-to-5 work schedule. For Portland Tasker Brandy M., it doesn’t follow an easy, predictable path, either.

IMG_5697 (1)After overcoming substantial challenges during childhood, Brandy has found a way to balance the necessity of earning an income with the pursuit of her dreams — which range from non-profit management to film production — all while staying open to whatever uncharted step might come next.

Read on to see how Brandy went from living off food stamps to biking solo around Ireland and visiting 49 states, all with a little help from TaskRabbit.

What types of challenges has TaskRabbit allowed you to overcome?

I had a pretty rough childhood. Before losing my mother, we lived off of food stamps in state-subsidized housing. We didn’t have much. When I moved to live with other family members, my financial situation improved, but not having a lot of money in my formative years definitely left an impact. The fear of financial insecurity is always in the back of my mind. Even in better financial times, I’ve always felt a need to work as hard as I can to earn money. TaskRabbit has given me a steady flow of income and opportunities over the last 4 years, and I’m thankful that it’s been an option for me.

What brought you to TaskRabbit initially?

I started tasking right after graduating from college because I got a job running the Portland chapter of a small non-profit called Skate Like a Girl. It was more of a passion project than a bill-payer at the time. I needed to find an additional source of income that was flexible enough to allow me to run our programs and manage the chapter. TaskRabbit was the perfect solution.

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What was the most rewarding thing about your transition to becoming a Tasker?

Being a Tasker has given me the ability to follow my passions. When I first started tasking, it allowed me to work for a non-profit that was close to my heart. Now, I’ve been able to pursue my dreams of working in film and video production. TaskRabbit gives me the flexibility to take film classes and work on projects while providing me with additional income to supplement freelance film work.

What are your favorite benefits of being a Tasker?

Being a Tasker and being able to set my own schedule allows me to live a life that I couldn’t if I was stuck in a 9-5 office job. I have a tendency to be a workaholic, but when I feel myself getting burned out, I just flip off my availability and do whatever I need to do to recharge. Sometimes, that just means going snowboarding or hiking in the middle of the week. Sometimes, it means taking 4 months off to go on a road trip. Very few professions allow for that flexibility. I’m extremely grateful that, as a Tasker, I’m able to be spontaneous and live the life I want to live.

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And finally, what is your favorite thing about life?

I try to make life an adventure, and I’ve been very fortunate to have some amazing travel experiences. I did an 800-mile solo bike trip from Vancouver, BC to Portland and a 1,000-mile solo bike trip around Ireland. I’ve spent a summer in Argentina, and I’ve now been to 49 states (I’m coming for you, Alaska!). I’m always looking toward the next adventure!

Interested in booking a Tasker like Brandy? Learn more here.

 

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