Are Business And Pleasure Your Ideal Mixer Or A Critical Career Cocktail?

Turning a hobby into a career is the ideal business dream for many. What could be better than finally earning a living from something you’re passionate about? Forget days counting the hours and wishing you could get back to what you love; you’d be able to enjoy every second and earn a decent wage in the process. It doesn’t get better than that.

Or, perhaps it does given that many who have tried would swear blind business and pleasure shouldn’t mix. Many who have tried have returned to their day jobs with their tails between their legs after just a few months because, sometimes, our hobbies only bring us joy when we do them for ourselves. As soon as you add the pressure of deadlines and money, even your favorite activity could become a nightmare. Worse, you’d be left without an outlet for all that pent frustration!

That’s a sure recipe for disaster, but you’ll be pleased to hear that it doesn’t put a hobby-led career off your cards for good. All you need to do is consider whether a business/pleasure cocktail would sit well with you by answering the following key questions. 

Did you start this hobby with money in mind?

If you learnt to knit to help you unwind, there’s a pretty high chance that turning this into a career will leave you lacking. By comparison, someone who started knitting for the sole purpose of selling crafts will have a different approach. So, be honest about why you started that hobby in the first place. If earning potential played a significant part, then there’s less chance of your feeling like you’ve ‘lost’ something when career focus into play. But, if your hobby has been around for a lot longer than your determination, it’s undoubtedly best left for your spare time. 

Can you earn through sidelines to keep your love alive?

Often, people who earn from their hobbies do so through sidelines. Many writers, for instance, may turn to ghost or content writing and keep their fiction forays sacred. Equally, many gamers will earn through streaming on social platforms or seeking a gaming affiliate to pull profit outside of gameplay. Such sidelines will enable you to preserve what you love about your hobby, while still ensuring a workable wage. Your hobby will still, but you should find it much easier to pursue your passions this way. 

Have you already attempted to tailor your hobby-business on the side?

Often, hobby/business crossovers only fail because people jump right into full-time undertakings without testing the waters. That pressure alone could see you struggling. By comparison, someone who’s already attempted sideline hobby earnings will be in a much better position to succeed. If you’ve already sold paintings on the side, for instance, you’ll know both whether there’s an audience, and how much you enjoy painting when commissioned rather than inspired. If that worked out, there’s a pretty high chance a full-time undertaking of the same kind might not be such a bad idea.