Teen-Run Business Partners With Volunteer Group Amid Pandemic

MCLEAN, VA — A new student-run company putting teens to work has partnered with a volunteer group helping residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

TaskTeens launched earlier in May with a focus on outdoor house jobs like lawn mowing, weeding and mulching. Founder Jack Lannin created TaskTeens after helping found and run TeenServ with two other McLean High School students.

The two businesses have the same general concept: a homeowner posts a job and teens complete the job. One difference between the two is the pricing policy. While TeenServ lets homeowners choose their price, TaskTeen has preset pricing based on the size of the job. Lannin told Patch that gives direction to homeowners who don't know what price to set, as well as let teens know what the job will entail.

For the first month — May 14 to June 11 — half of revenues will go to Fairfax County COVID Aid, a McLean student-run volunteer organization. The group connects volunteers to high-risk individuals needing grocery shopping or other tasks done. Those funds will be used to purchase food, clothing and other essential items for residents in need.

"It's all in the spirit of teenagers helping teenagers," Lannin said of their partnership.

TaskTeen is able to help with outdoor jobs for elderly or high-risk individuals. From posting a job, to communicating with a teen about a job, to paying, the service is contact free. The business is willing to work with individuals who aren't familiar with computers and prefer to call.

"It makes it really easy for them and it's in a really safe manner," said Lannin.

House jobs can also provide work for teens who may see less job opportunities or hours during the pandemic. Lannin says he is supplementing his own earnings with TaskTeen jobs since babysitting jobs haven't been available.

The new business has a few incentives for homeowners and teen workers alike. The VIP program offers benefits to homeowners who pay $300 for at least two jobs within three months. A matching program for teens provides bonus pay and priority on jobs upon completion of four jobs in a month. Homeowners can also get 15 percent off their first job posting.

TaskTeen has a 24-hour turnaround for assigning a teen when a homeowner posts a job. For more information, visit www.taskteens.com.

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