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
18 paths
Etsy Shop Manager
Run Etsy shops for makers who hate listings
Etsy Shop Manager
Run Etsy shops for makers who hate listings
You use an app to get first jobs doing run Etsy shops for makers who hate listings. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Upwork Specialist Seat
Take one Upwork niche, not 40 proposals a day
Upwork Specialist Seat
Take one Upwork niche, not 40 proposals a day
You use an app to get first jobs doing take one Upwork niche, not 40 proposals a day. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Gig-to-Agency IKEA
Assemble flat-pack at volume, then hire contractors
Gig-to-Agency IKEA
Assemble flat-pack at volume, then hire contractors
You use an app to get first jobs doing assemble flat-pack at volume, then hire contractors. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Fiverr Productized Gigs
Sell one Fiverr SKU, then leave the race
Fiverr Productized Gigs
Sell one Fiverr SKU, then leave the race
You use an app to get first jobs doing sell one Fiverr SKU, then leave the race. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Online-Test Proctor Independent
Proctor online tests if still contracted in your region
Online-Test Proctor Independent
Proctor online tests if still contracted in your region
You use an app to get first jobs doing proctor online tests if still contracted in your region. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Background Artist / Extra
Work as a film extra as a stopgap, not a plan
Background Artist / Extra
Work as a film extra as a stopgap, not a plan
You use an app to get first jobs doing work as a film extra as a stopgap, not a plan. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Taskrabbit Specialist
One Taskrabbit task type, then move regulars onto your own book
Taskrabbit Specialist
One Taskrabbit task type, then move regulars onto your own book
You use an app to get first jobs doing one Taskrabbit task type, then move regulars onto your own book. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Rover Super-Sitter
Sit a few dogs you know, not a chaotic kennel
Rover Super-Sitter
Sit a few dogs you know, not a chaotic kennel
You use an app to get first jobs doing sit a few dogs you know, not a chaotic kennel. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
User-Testing Circuit
Do paid user tests as coffee money, not a career
User-Testing Circuit
Do paid user tests as coffee money, not a career
You use an app to get first jobs doing do paid user tests as coffee money, not a career. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Caption Gig
Caption videos on platforms, then sell the work direct
Caption Gig
Caption videos on platforms, then sell the work direct
You use an app to get first jobs doing caption videos on platforms, then sell the work direct. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Hampr-style Laundry Node
Wash laundry via an app plus neighborhood flyers
Hampr-style Laundry Node
Wash laundry via an app plus neighborhood flyers
You use an app to get first jobs doing wash laundry via an app plus neighborhood flyers. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Airbnb Co-Host
Run Airbnb ops for owners who travel
Airbnb Co-Host
Run Airbnb ops for owners who travel
You use an app to get first jobs doing run Airbnb ops for owners who travel. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Door-to-Store Pickup Helper
Pick up store orders for elderly neighbors, paid, app optional
Door-to-Store Pickup Helper
Pick up store orders for elderly neighbors, paid, app optional
You use an app to get first jobs doing pick up store orders for elderly neighbors, paid, app optional. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Platform Tutoring, Own Calendar
Find students on Preply or italki, then keep your own calendar
Platform Tutoring, Own Calendar
Find students on Preply or italki, then keep your own calendar
You use an app to get first jobs doing find students on Preply or italki, then keep your own calendar. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Delivery as a Bridge
Deliver food as a floor while a real offer grows — with a body budget
Delivery as a Bridge
Deliver food as a floor while a real offer grows — with a body budget
You use an app to get first jobs doing deliver food as a floor while a real offer grows — with a body budget. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Gig-to-Agency Photo
Shoot marketplace weddings while you build direct clients
Gig-to-Agency Photo
Shoot marketplace weddings while you build direct clients
You use an app to get first jobs doing shoot marketplace weddings while you build direct clients. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
Mobile Car Wash App + Flyers
Wash cars via an app plus flyers
Mobile Car Wash App + Flyers
Wash cars via an app plus flyers
You use an app to get first jobs doing wash cars via an app plus flyers. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $150
Transcription-to-Editor
Leave penny transcription for packaged editing jobs
Transcription-to-Editor
Leave penny transcription for packaged editing jobs
You use an app to get first jobs doing leave penny transcription for packaged editing jobs. Collect reviews, then move regulars onto your own calendar and invoice.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital None
