| ca was built on the premise of following your | | | | the problems? |
| dreams. Today, that maxim is applied to | | | | Of course, your dreams and desires are |
| everyday life, especially careers. You’ve | | | | important, and you need to be passionate about |
| probably seen plenty of advice about turning your | | | | your company to be successful, but it is a |
| hobby into your job and making money doing | | | | mistake to let your interests and not your skills |
| what you love. Unfortunately, it usually | | | | dictate the type of business you should own if |
| doesn’t translate well into business reality. | | | | you decide to become an entrepreneur. Now that |
| Look at it this way: the reason you picked up | | | | you know what you should not do, it’s |
| your hobby in the first place was probably | | | | time to look at what you should do when getting |
| because you enjoyed it. Hobbies are supposed to | | | | into your own business: |
| be fun. If your hobby becomes your business, | | | | * Consider looking to your current career instead |
| you’ll have to work at it! Hard work is | | | | of your hobby. What aspects of your job do you |
| rewarding, but it can quickly douse the spark of | | | | enjoy the most, and what kind of business would |
| fun you previously derived from your hobby. | | | | allow you to concentrate on those enjoyable |
| Still not convinced? Here’s something else | | | | aspects? |
| to consider – everyone I’ve met | | | | * Focus on your strengths, and be honest with |
| who own a golf, fishing, or scuba-diving business | | | | yourself. Are you a strong manager? Good with |
| tells me they play, dive or get on the water less | | | | people? Talented at a craft? Try to find a |
| than before. Owning a business that is related to | | | | business that will let you capitalize on your |
| your hobby will not get you more involved in the | | | | strengths, while incorporating what you love to do. |
| enjoyable part. Instead, it will take you away | | | | * Do your research! Starting or buying a business |
| from the fun of the hobby. | | | | is a huge investment, and if you buy the wrong |
| Objectivity is another major concern when it | | | | business for your skills and fail, you probably |
| comes to translating a hobby to a business. For | | | | won’t want to try again. Know what |
| example, let’s say you enjoy fishing, so | | | | you’re getting into before you begin to |
| you decide to open a fishing supply store. You will | | | | give yourself the best chance of success. |
| typically stock your store with products you like | | | | You can run a business that you enjoy, as long as |
| – which won’t necessarily be what | | | | you are realistic in your decision-making process. |
| your customers want. Also, you may enjoy | | | | You don’t have to give up on your |
| fishing, but sitting in a boat with a pole is not the | | | | dreams – simply refocus your intentions, |
| same as running a store, and you may not have | | | | and go for it! |
| the skills necessary for retail management. See | | | | |