1001 original paths off the 9-to-5
Unclocked is a field guide to 1001 ways of earning and dwelling that are not a conventional 9-to-5. Each path has a name, an honest description, a step-by-step start, skills, materials, capital, a public source, and people or communities who have walked a version of it.
Filter by craft, capital, and whether the work travels. Save anything that tugs — it lands in your collection.
Minimum initial capital
103 paths
Gallery Sitting
Staff small gallery shows
Gallery Sitting
Staff small gallery shows
You staff small gallery shows for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Watch Battery and Fit
Change watch batteries and fit bands at a tiny counter
Watch Battery and Fit
Change watch batteries and fit bands at a tiny counter
You change watch batteries and fit bands at a tiny counter. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Home Library Build
Build shelves and catalog a home library
Home Library Build
Build shelves and catalog a home library
You build shelves and catalog a home library for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $50
Lost-Pet Poster Circuit
Design, print, hang, and take down lost-pet posters
Lost-Pet Poster Circuit
Design, print, hang, and take down lost-pet posters
You design, print, hang, and take down lost-pet posters for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Sail Repair Loft Micro
Mend sails with needle, palm, and cloth
Sail Repair Loft Micro
Mend sails with needle, palm, and cloth
You mend sails with needle, palm, and cloth. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Hot-Tub Care
Service hot tubs where they are common
Hot-Tub Care
Service hot tubs where they are common
You service hot tubs where they are common for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Jewelry Chain Solder
Solder broken gift chains on an open hour
Jewelry Chain Solder
Solder broken gift chains on an open hour
You solder broken gift chains on an open hour. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Compost Pickup Bike
Bike apartment food scraps to a garden
Compost Pickup Bike
Bike apartment food scraps to a garden
You bike apartment food scraps to a garden for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $200
Piano Tuning Road
Tune pianos after an apprenticeship
Piano Tuning Road
Tune pianos after an apprenticeship
You tune pianos after an apprenticeship for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $500
Banner and Vinyl Shop Tiny
Print banners for unions, cafes, and lost pets
Banner and Vinyl Shop Tiny
Print banners for unions, cafes, and lost pets
You print banners for unions, cafes, and lost pets. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Radon and Air Liaison
Book air tests and explain results (you are not the engineer)
Radon and Air Liaison
Book air tests and explain results (you are not the engineer)
You book air tests and explain results (you are not the engineer) for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $50
Window Whisperer
Clean interior and exterior windows
Window Whisperer
Clean interior and exterior windows
You clean interior and exterior windows for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $80
Chocolate Fountain Independent
Run a chocolate fountain cleanly, if you must
Chocolate Fountain Independent
Run a chocolate fountain cleanly, if you must
You run a chocolate fountain cleanly, if you must. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Snow Micro-Route
Clear walks and stairs before 7 a.m
Snow Micro-Route
Clear walks and stairs before 7 a.m
You clear walks and stairs before 7 a.m. for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $250
Flat-Pack Assembly
Assemble flat-pack furniture in homes
Flat-Pack Assembly
Assemble flat-pack furniture in homes
You assemble flat-pack furniture in homes for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Hat-Block
Block and finish custom millinery
Hat-Block
Block and finish custom millinery
You block and finish custom millinery. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Party Strike Team
Set up and tear down parties so hosts can stay with guests
Party Strike Team
Set up and tear down parties so hosts can stay with guests
You set up and tear down parties so hosts can stay with guests for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Balcony Garden Install
Install rental-friendly pots and watering on balconies
Balcony Garden Install
Install rental-friendly pots and watering on balconies
You install rental-friendly pots and watering on balconies for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $80
Dollhouse Electrician
Wire dollhouses as a miniature trade
Dollhouse Electrician
Wire dollhouses as a miniature trade
You wire dollhouses as a miniature trade. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Farmers-Market Runner
Help growers run their market stalls
Farmers-Market Runner
Help growers run their market stalls
You help growers run their market stalls for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
School Instrument Repair
Keep school rental instruments playing longer
School Instrument Repair
Keep school rental instruments playing longer
You keep school rental instruments playing longer. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Elder Companion Walks
Walk and keep company with older neighbors (not medical care)
Elder Companion Walks
Walk and keep company with older neighbors (not medical care)
You walk and keep company with older neighbors (not medical care) for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Key-Holder for Tiny Shops
Open and close shops when owners travel
Key-Holder for Tiny Shops
Open and close shops when owners travel
You open and close shops when owners travel for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Errand Concierge
Run pharmacy, return, and dry-cleaning errands
Errand Concierge
Run pharmacy, return, and dry-cleaning errands
You run pharmacy, return, and dry-cleaning errands for nearby homes and shops. They pay a visit fee plus a rate for rooms, hours, or units.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
