I just returned from beautiful San Francisco, and I thought I was pretty on top of technology.  However, after spending time with my SF friends I realized that there are many “hidden technology gems” that are popular in the Silicon Valley tech world that I knew nothing about!

My favorite new “hidden gem” is TaskRabbit, a community (somewhat like CraigsList), where you can post a task that you need done and field bids from “Task Rabbits” in your area who are willing to complete the task for you. People use TaskRabbit for tasks such as moving, grocery shopping, handyman work, landscaping, organizing, and travel planning.  My friend recently used TaskRabbit to stand in line at a hot new restaurant that doesn’t take reservations, genius! TaskRabbit is not only great for consumers, businesses can benefit as well.  As a business you can offer your services for those looking for your area of expertise and/or you can find temporary help to complete administrative tasks.  TaskRabbit conducts background checks on all Task Rabbits that are providing services.

Here is how it works:

1. Describe your task and when and where you need it done

2. Name your price or request bids (TaskRabbit provides pricing recommendations for many categories)

3. Select your Task Rabbit or have TaskRabbit select for you

4. Pay on TaskRabbit after the service is complete (Task Rabbit takes a 20% service fee)

TaskRabbit was founded by Leah Busque in 2008 when she needed dog food on a cold winter night in Boston and wished that she could send someone immediately to do it for her.  Leah is one of those inspiring entrepreneurs who had an “aha moment” about a need in the marketplace and transformed her idea into into a successful company that has secured over $37 million in venture capital funding.  Truly inspiring!  For more on Leah’s story and her words of wisdom to budding small business owners, check out this great article on Amex Open Forum.

TaskRabbit recently launched in DC and is in a handful of cities across the country.  Let me know if you try it out – either as a task poster or service provider.  Would love to hear about your experience!

This post originally appeared on The Modern Mompreneur and is reprinted here with permission. 

Written by Anjali Varma

Anjali Varma is “The Modern Mompreneur.” Her website and You Tube channel provide parenting, lifestyle, and entrepreneurial tips for the modern mom trying to juggle it all. She is also the owner of a
Kidville franchise in Bethesda, MD that offers classes, retail, haircuts, and birthday parties for young children. Anjali lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and 3 & 5 year old sons.  She holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a BBA from the
University of Michigan.  You can find Anjali at
www.themodernmompreneur.com, www.youtube.com/themodernmompreneur and @anjvarma.

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