18 Illustration by John Jay CabuayJune 2018 dmagazine.com

Starting From SkratchIf you need your dog walked, kid tutored, pantry organized, or any other task an eager teen can feasibly complete, there’s a Dallas-based app for that.BY GRACE ANN ROTHWELL

Scott bennett and ronen Akiva are two dads whose children had a very modern problem: they couldn’t fit a standard minimum-wage job

into their activity-packed schedules. So Bennett and Akiva came up with Skratch, an app that gives busy high school students, ages 14 to 19, the opportunity to earn cash by taking care of your odd jobs and the freedom to do so between extracurriculars.

“It’s about meeting kids where they are,” says Bennett, pointing out that kids are also learning the importance of responsibility and cul-tivating professional relationships.

How Skratch works: teens regis-ter and select their preferred tasks (dog-sitting, lawn-mowing, and so on), while individuals or organi-zations (“sponsors” in Skratch nomenclature) can post jobs they need done—anything from tutor-ing to tech assistance. The two are connected by neighborhood and task. Rates are preset and pay-ments are made to the “Skratchers” through the app. To keep kids safe, adult sponsors are screened against Texas’ sex offender registry, and parents receive a message as soon as their children accept a gig and throughout the process.

The app is now available in 30 Dallas-area ZIP codes, with plans for expansion throughout North Texas within the next 12 to 18 months and nationally in a few years.

Here, a sampling of “Skratchers” available for hire.

ALEC, 18, DALLAS

Extracurriculars: VP of Student Congress, BBYO, National Honor

Society, Key Club, Spanish National Honor Society, Young

Men’s Service LeagueGigs completed: Taught a 7-year-old how to ride his bike, tutored an 11-year-old in math, helped a

family move furniture and set up for a large dinner partySaving for: “A nice trip

once I’m in college.”Grown-up dream job: To live on

the West Coast and be the CFO of a multinational firm

EVAN, 16, PLANO Extracurriculars: Student

council, National Honor Society, AV tech, school ministry

Gigs completed: Working at an elementary school carnival. “I

got to see the little kids running around and having fun because

of what I was doing there. I have also gone to a house and cleaned windows, vacuumed floors, and organized rooms and closets.”

Saving for: A car stereo systemGrown-up dream job: “I want to go into the engineering field, and

I have always thought NASA and space was cool.”

MIRANDA, 17, DALLAS

Extracurriculars: Color guard, orchestra, speech, debate

Gigs completed: Helping with kids and around the house,

and some tech work. “I once accepted a gig face-painting at a

neighborhood block party. I have art experience but never face-

painted before. The adults were very kind and brought supplies.”

Saving for: “Fees for my extracurricular activities.”

Grown-up dream job: Criminal lawyer in a large city

like New York

KARA, 17, DALLAS

Extracurriculars: Theater, BBYO, improv, singing

Gigs completed: “I’ve completed a few tutoring gigs as well as numerous pet-related jobs.

The most interesting job I’ve ever completed for Skratch

was this one gig where I took a dog to a dog park. I literally got

paid to play with dogs. It was really a dream come true.”

Saving for: “I’ve been saving up for college.”Grown-up dream job:

“Lawyer by day, rock star by night.”

KIARA, 17, DALLAS

Extracurriculars: Band, sym-phony orchestra, health programGigs completed: “My most inter-

esting gig was when I went to help Linda Koop, former mem-ber of the Dallas City Council

and a Republican state represen-tative from Dallas County, make

her campaign signs.”Saving for: “Not only college itself but housing, the classes,

books—I would like to help out my parents in any way I can.”

Grown-up dream job: World-traveling neurosurgeon

MASON, 15, RICHARDSON

Extracurriculars: Varsity cross-country, track, soccer

Gigs completed: Garage cleanup, practicing soccer with a kin-

dergartner. “There was one gig where all I had to do was scoop

ice cream for little kids at a school festival. It was fun and

super easy—plus, free ice cream.”Saving for: “Nothing in partic-

ular, but it feels good to have money I earned myself when

going to the mall or out to Wha-taburger with my friends.”

Grown-up dream job: Architect designing buildings worldwide

g ig g i n g

Pulse_Skratch_June18.indd 18 4/26/18 3:28 PM