Turning Hobbies into Jobs

Many people go through life, trudging away in their job whilst pursuing their passion as a hobby in their spare time. However, as the saying goes: 'If you love your work, you will never work a day in your life', why not consider turning that hobby into your job? Although it may sound like a pipe dream, if you have passion and drive for something, then you already have a clear advantage over competitors.

But before you pack in your day job and embark on a new career of breeding alpacas or buying and selling stamps, you must do some serious research to make sure whether simply having an interest and skill in something is enough to turn it into a profession that can support you.

Do Your Research

Your first task is to find out whether your hobby will translate into a viable business, and whether there is enough room in the market for you. Have a look at the types of jobs available that are related to your hobby; if you know people who already work in the field then ask them about their experiences. Ask them (or yourself) the following questions:

• Is your hobby something that other people will be willing to pay for?
• Is there a demand for what you do?
• Are you skilled enough at your hobby to charge people for your services or products?
• Can you make enough profit to support you? Perhaps the materials and time required for your hobby cost more than the going rate for what you will produce.
• Do you have something unique about what you produce or offer? Or will you have to rely on simply under-cutting the competition? Once a marketplace becomes highly populated, it will become harder and harder to sustain a price edge.
• Would you be able to scale up the business if required? Whilst you might be able to make 3 pairs of earrings a day, what happens if you suddenly get an order for 100?
• Will you have the discipline and commitment to pursue your new venture when it starts to feel like a job instead of fun? Are you going to lose the fun and enjoyment of your hobby when you turn it into a career?

The Next Step

Once you have answered all the questions above, and you still feel that turning your favourite hobby into a business is the right way to go, then you must make sure that you have the relevant experience to get a job in the field. To raise your skills from an amateur level to a professional standard, taking a course, qualification or period of practical work experience is a good idea, and a great way to help ensure the success of your new business. You might also want to take courses in business matters such as marketing strategies, economics, accounting and business forecasting techniques.

Finally

Turning a favourite pastime into a career is a bold move that can enrich your life - especially if you've done your homework first. However, it's not for everyone, and you may find that on reflection, spending 10-12 hours on your hobby every day simply doesn't appeal. In that case, stick to your day job, and save your hobby for relaxation and enjoyment in your free time.