Rachel’s Writing Portfolio

  Transcribing is probably one of the most mentioned "side hustles" online. I saw it several times in articles about weekend jobs and extra income. In 2020, after I finished Peace Corps, I was looking to supplement my teacher income. I decided to give it a try.  Getting started was a long process. After signing up for the website and completing the standard verification process, you must study and memorize all of the commands for the typing software and the codes for recording mistakes in the audio. These include tags to let the transcription company know if something is inaudible or if you must guess a word. There are also codes for what words to cut out, how to record numbers and specific terms, and how to manipulate the audio with the keyboard. Each company has its tags that are slightly different but have the same general functions across the board. Once you have learned the tags and read all the materials about the company's rules and guidelines, you must take a test...

  While researching for work, I recently came across an article advertising "40 easy side hustles that anyone can do." I'm sure you have had this experience as well. You are looking for a way to earn extra income, and some recruiter type pops up, offering you a million ways to make an extra thousand dollars a month. It's so easy anyone can do it, they say. Only work a few hours on the weekend, and you can roll in the extra dough.  Over my short life, I have had many different jobs. I've been self-employed, a contract worker, punched the hourly clock, worked freelance, and even off the books. I've had side hustle upon side hustle and tried every kind of "extra work." In an attempt to increase my monthly earnings, I've read probably every side hustle article on google. I've attempted or considered every single job, at least in passing.   All these jobs have something in common, they may be simple and relatively easy, but they are not an easy wa...

  Interview with Daria Kholodilina , a Ukrainian native and co-owner of Trails & Wines , a Georgian tourism company. She and her husband started the company in 2018 to share their passion for wine and the beauty of Georgia. In part one of this interview, I sat down with Daria Kholodilina, a Ukrainian native who started Trails & Wines, a Georgian wine tourism company, with her husband, Zviad. We discussed the ins and outs of getting a foothold in wine and the first steps. In part two, we focused on the social media aspect, the challenges of managing a business and working as a new mother, and Daria’s side project. As a fellow working mom who does the majority of childcare, I was interested to hear how she juggles managing a business, the customer service aspect of her job, and staying home with a young baby. On top of that, Daria chose to breastfeed her son. Managing the schedule of wine tasting and nursing to ensure she isn't nursing with any alcohol in her system is chall...

  Interview with Daria Kholodilina - “I'm a wine tourism practitioner with several years of experience in international and domestic tourism. I have worked with media, corporations, NGOs, politicians, diplomats, and governments. I speak 5 languages and know Georgian wine very well.” Wine is one of those industries that people tend to romanticize. Everyone has a friend who talks about their dream to quit the office hustle, move to Napa Valley and start their life over as a sommelier. They want to spend their days sipping wine, chatting with cultured people, and explaining the nuances of a particularly leggy Cabernet. So why not do it? What is that keeps people from perusing their boozy passion? If you ask most people, they don't know where to start. If you don't have any connections, finding a foothold in what feels like an exclusive club can be daunting. Everyone who knows wine already has a network, and everyone who has a network doesn't need another wine hobbyist. At ...