Breaking into acting is difficult under the perfect of circumstances. And in a 12 months when each writers and actors were on strike, finding work was particularly difficult. But Vanessa Garcia, 30, doesn’t need to worry about paying the rent. This actress has a $7,000-$8,000 monthly side hustle.
Working through Taskrabbit, a web-based platform that permits freelancers to supply a wide selection of private services, Garcia cleans, organizes and redecorates. And she or he charges hourly rates that range from $46 (for waiting in line) to $103 (for deep cleansing). In a mean month, she earns between $7,000 and $8,000, she says. But she’s earned as much as $10,000 in a single month.
Notably, Taskrabbit is among the many highest-rated side hustle platforms on SideHusl.com. It stands out since it allows freelancers almost complete freedom to supply and price their very own services. You arrange a profile that claims what you do, what you charge for it, and you identify once you’re available. Taskrabbit charges nothing to freelancers. Nevertheless, they add a platform fee onto consumer bills.
We caught up with Garcia to learn a bit of more about her acting, her lucrative side hustle and her secrets to success.
Vanessa, I understand you’re an actor. Are you able to tell me a bit of about a number of the stuff you’ve acted in?
I even have worked on many lead projects, comparable to Pocha, Google commercials, short movies, and smaller roles in Star Trek, Doctor Strange, Euphoria, and Grey’s Anatomy. I’m also in The Chronicles of Jessica Wu. And the show has recently been nominated for an EMMY!
Did you study acting?
Not in college. I actually went to high school for Biology. My educational plan was to eventually go to med school and turn out to be a pediatric oncologist. I went to all of the pre med conventions, did all of the “pre work,” met with doctors and students who were already a part of that medical path. Nevertheless, I believe deep down I at all times wanted something different for myself.
Are you able to fill me in on how much you usually earn in any given month or 12 months from acting?
My earnings on acting would typically rely on the kind of project, but usually up to now it had been about $10-15K. I’m still non-union so those jobs don’t pay well in any respect. They usually at all times need to use them in perpetuity, which is bad since we don’t get royalties. I’m eligible for SAG, but with the strikes, I had been waiting to affix to see the end result.
$7,000-$8,000 monthly side hustle
Acting generally is a tough occupation to interrupt into and will not produce a gradual income for years. Is that why you began side hustling?
You’re 100% correct. There will be months where there isn’t any work. So many sacrifices must occur at first, unless you’ve created a gradual income you may depend on.
I’d say the way in which that I keep an additional income is by monetizing any skill that I even have. In case you know you’ve a skill that another person doesn’t have — or are willing to do something that another person simply doesn’t need to do themselves — monetize it! It will possibly even grow to a full blown business in the event you cater to it properly.
How did you discover Taskrabbit and when did you begin offering services here?
I discovered about this platform back in 2017, when a friend of a friend of mine mentioned to me that I could receives a commission for constructing furniture. IKEA furniture to be exact. And I used to be sold because I really like doing that.
I began working on the app in November of that 12 months. And really the remainder is history. I just went for it.
What makes Taskrabbit stand out for you?
The pliability it offers to scheduling work around living life and never surviving it. The pliability it offers to work quite literally any day or time I’d wish to work. The pliability I also need to know I don’t need to worry that I won’t have a job when selecting to not work for a certain variety of days as well. Flexibility offers peace of mind.
What’s the range of income that you simply earn from Taskrabbit?
My earnings vary every month. But I typically earn about $7,000 – $8,000. My highest earning month on the platform to-date was about $10,000.
Do you currently offer services through some other freelance sites? If that’s the case, which of them? And what do you do there?
I actually don’t, I even have considered it. But I do are likely to get a number of work through past and recurring clients with Taskrabbit. Not only that but there may be one other Tasker whom I met there and we work rather a lot together in Interior Design and Organization as well.
You’ve gotten a wide selection of services on offer at Taskrabbit — from making crafts to baby proofing. What made you select these specific services?
These are things that I do know how one can do. And things that I’m very confident that I can do at a level that justifies charging the next hourly rate, while still keeping clients completely satisfied and coming back to rent me.
I also notice that you simply charge different prices for various services. How do you identify how much to charge?
My pricing differentiates per task because different skills require different levels of experience. Also, the quantity of labor that is required for a task – either physical, mental, or very detailed jobs.
My rates even have steadily increased throughout the years. And I’d also say that my rate relies off of the quantity of reviews, in addition to the proven fact that I’m an elite Tasker. [Elite Taskers score among the top 10% in customer ratings.]
Despite the fact that you charge greater than $100 an hour for cleansing, you’ve a whole bunch of great reviews. What do you do this other cleaners don’t?
Detail! That’s what clients at all times say to me. That it comes right down to the main points. I concentrate to things that should not necessarily stuff you see from afar, but when you catch up with you do.
You’ve been on this site for a half-dozen years. Without naming names, are you able to tell me your favorite job — and your least favorite — and why?
Oof, this can be a tough one, I even have had so many! But I’d say my favorite ones are interior design/organization. I thrive on those tasks, not only because I feel like I’m creating art and might really change the look of a house, but because this will truly be life changing for my clients. I recently worked with a client who shared with me that the closet I redid for her has brought her back to a spot of joy she hasn’t had in an extended time.
You manage to make a excellent living as a freelancer on Taskrabbit. Are there suggestions you may share with our readers to assist them turn out to be more successful?
Be consistent in accepting all tasks. Also open same-day tasks to realize more work. And I’d say you shouldn’t raise your prices too high, until you’ve had a certain quantity of positive reviews. But, eventually, you may raise your rates to earn a much higher rate per hour.
What do you see as your future? Will you remain on this platform once you’re an A-list actor?
I can’t say I won’t. Never say never to something that may occur! But I won’t ever delete my account, as I actually also use it as a client occasionally.
What are your dreams and goals?
My dreams are to represent the Latina women in film, each in English and Spanish. Win a pair Oscars, possibly even a Grammy! But I don’t want to only be an actor. I wish to construct businesses that creates residual income so I can decide to wake on a regular basis with the selection of how one can truly live life and just be completely satisfied.
Any final words of recommendation?
I’d say that there isn’t any one single path all of us must follow. So don’t be afraid to do something different and take risks! The worst that may occur is that you simply’ll learn a lesson or a brand new skill. And never underestimate the ability of your will to succeed.