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
Knife Day at the Market
Sharpen knives on a wheel for a market line
Knife Day at the Market
Sharpen knives on a wheel for a market line
You sharpen knives on a wheel for a market line. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Churro Window
Sell one dough of churros from a window
Churro Window
Sell one dough of churros from a window
You sell one dough of churros from a window. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $400
Fridge Resurrection
Deep-clean fridges and set up a simple inventory
Fridge Resurrection
Deep-clean fridges and set up a simple inventory
You deep-clean fridges and set up a simple inventory 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
Hot-Nut Cart
Sell roasted nuts on winter sidewalks where allowed
Hot-Nut Cart
Sell roasted nuts on winter sidewalks where allowed
You sell roasted nuts on winter sidewalks where allowed. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $400
Balloon-Free Party Design
Design kids' parties that do not become landfill
Balloon-Free Party Design
Design kids' parties that do not become landfill
You design kids' parties that do not become landfill. 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
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
Move-Out Miracle
Clean rentals so tenants can get their deposit back
Move-Out Miracle
Clean rentals so tenants can get their deposit back
You clean rentals so tenants can get their deposit back 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
Mobile Library Fine Forgiveness Night
Run a paid story hour the library hires you for
Mobile Library Fine Forgiveness Night
Run a paid story hour the library hires you for
You run a paid story hour the library hires you for. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Mobile Phone Clinic
Replace screens and batteries with honest warranties
Mobile Phone Clinic
Replace screens and batteries with honest warranties
You replace screens and batteries with honest warranties. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Choir Robe Tailor
Hem choir robes for institutions
Choir Robe Tailor
Hem choir robes for institutions
You hem choir robes for institutions. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Acoustic Softening
Add curtains, rugs, and panels to harsh rooms
Acoustic Softening
Add curtains, rugs, and panels to harsh rooms
You add curtains, rugs, and panels to harsh rooms 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
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
Espresso-Home Install
Install home espresso setups for enthusiasts
Espresso-Home Install
Install home espresso setups for enthusiasts
You install home espresso setups for enthusiasts. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Crepe Cart Evenings
Sell crepes from a permitted evening cart
Crepe Cart Evenings
Sell crepes from a permitted evening cart
You sell crepes from a permitted evening cart. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $400
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
Dog Midday Circuit
Walk dogs on weekdays and send photo proof
Dog Midday Circuit
Walk dogs on weekdays and send photo proof
You walk dogs on weekdays and send photo proof 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
Rain-Gutter Flower Install
Install gutter planters where the structure allows
Rain-Gutter Flower Install
Install gutter planters where the structure allows
You install gutter planters where the structure allows. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
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
Fountain Repair
Service fountain pumps and clear algae
Fountain Repair
Service fountain pumps and clear algae
You service fountain pumps and clear algae. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
Mailbox Installer
Install rural and suburban mailboxes
Mailbox Installer
Install rural and suburban mailboxes
You install rural and suburban mailboxes. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
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
Meal-Prep Thursdays
Cook a week's meals for a few households
Meal-Prep Thursdays
Cook a week's meals for a few households
You cook a week's meals for a few households 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
Stuffed-Animal Hospital
Repair kids' grief objects with care
Stuffed-Animal Hospital
Repair kids' grief objects with care
You repair kids' grief objects with care. Neighbors and shops pay a posted rate with a minimum call-out.
Minimum initial capital Minimum initial capital $100
