Meet the Londoner who turned £80 into £50,000 in just 9 months

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As London’s fast-paced business landscape evolves, more residents are breaking free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind, choosing a flexible lifestyle and financial independence instead. Remote and hybrid work models among companies are on the rise and Londoners are seizing opportunities to monetise their skills on their own terms.

At just 26 years old, Hamid Ali from Southall has a degree in Horticulture and transformed his passion for gardening into his own thriving business.

Starting with just £80, of which he brought a second-hand lawnmower and scissors, Hamid began offering his gardening services on local services marketplace, Airtasker, in early 2024.

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He completed his first task which earnt him £40, the next task earnt him £100, then month by month he would buy new equipment. His five-star reviews kept growing and in just 9 months, Hamid earned over £50,000 through the platform.

Hamid Ali, one of Airtasker's Top Taskers 2024Hamid Ali, one of Airtasker's Top Taskers 2024
Hamid Ali, one of Airtasker's Top Taskers 2024

Hamid has now completed over a hundred tasks from landscape designs, decking and pergola structures to garden maintenance, weeding, pruning and now even has an employee. Recognised for his work, Hamid was awarded one of Airtasker’s Top Taskers of 2024.

“I was so grateful to have come across Airtasker. So many apps require upfront payments, but I didn’t have extra money to spare. I could start immediately and it was easy to sign up” says Hamid. “Now I’m my own boss, which is something I’ve always dreamed of.”

Tim Fung, Founder and CEO of Airtasker, says: “Our annual awards are all about recognising and rewarding Taskers for their skills and it’s inspiring to see more people are using the platform as their main source of income and starting their own businesses.”

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As one of the world’s most dynamic cities, London has become a hub for flexible work. With living costs soaring, many are turning to platforms like Airtasker to supplement their income or launch their own businesses. In 2024 alone, Tasker sign-ups surged by 3,000%, with a 928% increase in customer registrations, showing the continued rise of the gig economy.

Meet the Londoner Who Turned £80 into £50,000 in just 9 monthsMeet the Londoner Who Turned £80 into £50,000 in just 9 months
Meet the Londoner Who Turned £80 into £50,000 in just 9 months

The desire for flexibility and work-life balance is shaping the future of employment, and skills marketplaces, enabling entrepreneurial success stories like Hamid’s, are proving that flexible work is more than just a trend, it’s a movement.

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