From UX Designer to NYC's Ice-Breaking Hero: How One Man Turned a Snowstorm into a Lucrative Gig

The Dig-Out King of New York City

Drivers who failed to dig out while the snow from our late-January storm was still soft are now facing thick walls of ice encasing their vehicles. While these frozen mounds might look almost sculptural, the reality is harsh: unless people are ready to abandon their cars to the elements, they must dig out—or pay someone else to do it. For the determined, this challenge has become a quick source of income.

We spoke with Danny, an unemployed tech worker living in Greenpoint, who is making waves around the city. He's not just cleaning up snow; he's charging a minimum of $119 per dig, with prices varying based on how deeply the vehicle is buried, as noted in his flyer.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

How did you become a dig-out guy?

My background is in user experience design. The downturn in the tech industry over the past 12 months has made job hunting incredibly tough. In December, I signed up for emergency snow removal with the Department of Sanitation, ready to shovel snow, but they never called. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Then, I saw a post on Reddit last week offering a snow-shoveling gig, and it sparked the idea to start my own service.