I only have to work three weeks out of the year to earn up to $9,700 through my side hustle in my van.

After not selling any paintings for several months, Kyle Stockford decided to take on a side job.

In 2021, Stockford, a full-time abstract artist, created colorful collages. However, without sales, he needed an additional source of income. So, he turned to his brother, who was doing people's yard work and helping assemble Ikea furniture through Taskrabbit.

Stockford initially signed up for similar gigs, earning "$16 to $18 an hour." However, he found the real money in helping people move. Now, the 29-year-old charges as much as $98 per hour on Taskrabbit to load up his Chevy Express van with other people's belongings and transport them across the Boston area.

August 2023 saw Stockford's side hustle generate $9,740 in revenue, making it his busiest time of year. He earned between $3,000 and $5,000 in most other months, resulting in a total of $36,600 in extra cash last year.

Stockford reveals how he constructed his moving business.

'I'm operating a large vehicle, but I'm not generating any income from it.'

In 2018, during his final year at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Stockford purchased a van to transport paintings from Massachusetts to potential buyers.

Stockford, after a year on Taskrabbit, felt restless about driving around a big van without earning much money. To prepare for more demanding jobs, he bought straps, moving blankets, gloves, and bungee cords.

"He estimates that the supplies cost around $50 from Harbor Freight Tools."

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Stockford recounts how he initially charged $65 per hour and landed an early gig assisting two Northeastern University students in relocating from their campus to their new apartment. Despite the job taking only under two hours, he earned approximately $130.

Stockford stated, "I was struggling because I was the only one."

By concentrating on smaller tasks, such as one-bedroom bookings or Facebook Marketplace pickups, he was able to increase the number of jobs he booked each day. Additionally, he made a conscious effort to improve his customer service skills.

"He said, "Don't worry, this will be over in about two hours," as he began to understand how stressful moving can be for people."

'I can earn a substantial amount of money by working three weeks annually.'

Stockford's repertoire-building efforts in 2022 resulted in a successful outcome in 2023. "2023 was insane," he says. "I worked every day in August and about halfway through September."

He felt himself improving at the gig, he adds. If he was working with college kids, he'd know to ask for keys or codes to get in and out of dorm rooms. He'd bring door stoppers and a roof rack for mattresses, park as close as he could, and, depending on the task, bring a second Tasker in to help.

"After a brief period, you can anticipate a similar arrangement of furniture and a pair of trash bags filled with clothing, as stated by Stockford."

Boston traffic can be challenging, and the gigs themselves can be draining, as Stockford resides on the South Shore of Massachusetts. He mentions that there are a lot of third-floor walk-ups.

Although the side hustle is seasonal, Stockford has found it successful enough to avoid full-time work. He manages 10 to 20 hours of moving per week while also working part-time as an art handler and preparator at the McMullen Museum of Art in Boston College.

"I can earn a substantial amount of money for three weeks annually, allowing me to focus on my own art," says Stockford.

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