Everywhere we look, we see self-made lady bosses who’ve abandoned the board room and exchanged corporate for creative by doing exactly what so many people dream of: turning their hobbies into hustles.
Many of us find ourselves mid-career with a wall of plaques and college degrees simultaneously disappointed by the lack of creativity that comes with cubicles and clocking in. We plod along in careers that are safe and most days plainly satisfying, but often ask our inner basket weaver/novel writer/cupcake baker: Could I could do what I love most and get paid for it? Can I turn my hobby into a legitimate business? The answer is an emphatic YES!
Take wildly successful entrepreneur and business coach Jennifer Allwood for example. Once an over-worked and 
underchallenged software developer, Allwood longed to do what she loved most; faux finish painting in people’s homes. Allwood took the plunge in 2000 and started a successful painting company called the Magic Brush, Inc. in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.
In just a few short years, Allwood had built such a thriving business, she couldn’t keep up with customer demand. In exchange for the freedom she once again sought, Allwood started a coaching business showing other women how to make the leap from hobby to hustle just as she had years earlier.
While having a coach like Allwood is a bonus, many women begin taking their hobby to hustle by doing a little of their own research and testing the waters before embarking on full-fledged entrepreneurship.
God has given every one of us a talent. While not everyone will have a desire to monetize that talent, those who do should explore and research the feasibility of taking their own hobby to hustle.
The Struggle to Start
Here are a few things women often struggle with when contemplating the move from hobby to hustle:
- It sounds great, but what about giving up the safety and security of things like my 401k, paid time off, a regular paycheck?
- Sure, I’m good at my hobby, but I have NO idea how to run a business.
- Who will want to buy from me? Where will I find customers? Where will I sell my stuff?
- How will this impact my family?
- Can I afford to make the shift financially?
An article by Forbes magazine encourages would-be entrepreneurs to entertain three things before diving off the end of the dock.
-
Combine Passion with Experience
This means the best businesses spring forth when people combine what they love with who they really are. Let your hobby weave into your story as a woman, as a mom, as an artist. Let it speak who you are and what you’re all about. Let it tell your story!
-
Practice Patience and Consistency
If you decide to make the leap, know ahead of time that your business stream will inevitably ebb and flow. You need thick enough skin to roll with the punches and know that what goes up eventually goes down and vice versa. Hang in there! You won’t be able to build Rome in a day, but you’ll build your confidence and your business one transaction at a time.
-
Leverage Mentors and Partnerships
Find people who have found success in similar industries and glom on to their recipes for success! This means asking them for help by tapping into the talent of people you may know or utilizing online resources such as private groups, conferences, or webinars. Whatever you choose, know that having an army of resources beats going it alone. Iron sharpens iron, sister!
There’s a lot of things that go into starting something new, but fear shouldn’t be one of them. If you have the desire and the motivation to be your own boss, shake off that fright and go for it! People consider self-employment for many reasons.
If your current gig leaves you feeling worthless, trapped, stunted, or unappreciated, going from hobby to hustle may be the shot in the arm you need to rediscover your God-given abilities and help you make a meaningful living out of them. If you simply can’t take the leap, start while you still have a 9 to 5 and work your business part-time. Let it grow until you can leave your full time job.
While self-employment may lack traditional benefits and the security of a regular check, the potential for personal success is unlimited. Do your research and take baby steps. You have nothing to lose and happiness to gain!
