Sidekicker was founded on the belief that through technology, alongside a relentless drive to help and enable people to reach their potential, everyone should have the freedom to do that they love. Our mission is to help others live a more empowered life.
Our ‘Love What You Do’ series is a collection of interviews with the Sidekicks who make up our casual workforce.
Richard Duff is a Melbourne based Sidekick who will complete his 100th job this September. He works an average 4 shifts per week.
Before Sidekicking I…
Was managing an Indian restaurant. I got tired serving the same meals and working with the same people every single weekend. I hate repetition and I’m always on the lookout for a new experience. I was looking for a new job when I found Sidekicker on a uni job board. I was so excited by the chance to work a variety of jobs on my own terms.
My first Sidekick job was…
Working a wedding at The Substation in Newport. It’s a converted power station that like an old run-down factory from the outside, but grand and modern on the inside. It’s still one of my favourite venues in Melbourne.
The coolest job I’ve completed as a Sidekick…
Was a bump-in, bump-out job for Chandelier Hire at Crown. Bump-in kicked off at 430 in the morning, with the bump-out starting at midnight and lasting until the wee hours. We had to unwrap and wrap every individual crystal in 22 chandeliers – it must have been thousands. They were transported on custom trolleys and were protected by special pillows and blankets.
Most people think those hours are the complete opposite of ‘cool’, but the science and art of chandelier logistics was just so interesting.
My first job was…
A kitchen hand. I started working the day I was legally able to. But I wasn’t too keen on this job and quickly moved to a function centre in the Dandenong Ranges. While I was there I worked mostly high-end weddings and I loved how different every wedding was.
In the future…
I’d like to be working in the FMCG space, managing the product marketing process from development to distribution. I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Marketing & Management at Melbourne Uni. Eventually, I’d like to be making an impact on sustainability in the buying process.
Sidekicker has given me the opportunity to…
Build a network in the business world. If I were just working the one job I wouldn’t have the chance meet as many senior business people or work on the skills which will be crucial to my career. I’ve had to learn how to sell myself both offline – when introducing myself to a new boss every week – and online – to better improve my chance of getting accepted for a Sidekick shift. This will be an invaluable talent to have up my sleeve when applying for grad positions. My work ethic has improved because I do not want to lose my 5-star rating and I’ve had the chance to build a really great network of Sidekicks which has been great.
When I was young…
I wanted to be a paramedic. I grew up spending my weekends at the beach and met a paramedic when lifesaving in Anglesea. If I don’t cope in an office environment in a few years, I might go back to this original plan.
My favourite movie genre…
Is the Sci-Fi, world ending, dystopian, apocalyptic type – I like to think they’re the opposite of my personality and world-view.
I love what I do…
Because I LOVE having the freedom and power to choose how often I work. I love the experience that comes with working in different places all the time. One day I’ll be working at a private engagement party and the next day I’ll be individually wrapping thousands of crystals. It’s liberating to not be working the same job day after day. There is a never day I wake up and dread going to a job. Earlier this year, I was able to take 6 weeks off to go work at Mt Buller. I didn’t have to worry about having a casual job to come back to. Sidekicker will always be waiting.
The Sidekick community is also a huge part of why I love my flexible working lifestyle. The Sidekicks are an incredible community of like-minded people who all love to meet new people and doing new things.