Fairfield County trio create ONIT for those looking for odd-jobs

In need of a helping hand? Or perhaps an odd job that needs to be done? Whether it’s laying down mulch, pulling weeds, moving furniture or even a dump run – ONIT is on it.

ONIT co-founders Zach McKay, Alex Steele and Jacob Vonderlinden were sent home from Fairfield University in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was really tough to find a part-time job, an internship,” said Vonderlinden. “Me and my partners took it upon ourselves to start this odd-job type of business.”

The trio of entrepreneurs made an official launch of the business in January. Any homeowner can submit a request for a job, and a text alert is sent out to workers. The workers can then either sign up to complete the job or decline.

“We wanted to give back and offer students the same opportunity that we had,” said McKay.

Since the launch, they say they have received over 500 requests and their workers have made over $45,000.

“We’re really excited where we started and where we are in the last four years.” said Steele.

ONIT hopes to expand services provided to babysitting, tutoring and pet sitting.