How to Turn a Creative Hobby into a Business
By Bruntwood
Everyone has their one special hobby that helps them unwind and relax after an exhausting working week. For some, it’s baking or shopping, for others, spare time is spent basking behind the camera lens.
But what if you could turn that delightful hobby into your job? We aren’t talking about a side hustle or just making some quick cash, either – this is about leaving your normal nine to five and doing what you love as a full-time career. Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, here at Bruntwood, we want to help you achieve that positive career change. That’s why we asked a selection of successful entrepreneurs for some top tips and practical advice for making your dream job a reality.
Continue reading, below, to find out how to turn a hobby into a business.
1. How to turn a photography hobby into a business
Love snapping pics of eye-catching food? Or maybe you have a particular penchant for breath-taking landscape scenery? Whatever your photographic muse, it might be time to turn your talents into a profitable enterprise.
The trick is to specialise your services. For example, if you’re looking to become a wedding photographer, pack your portfolio with pro bono wedding shots. Identify the type of photography you love the most and meticulously hone your craft to become an expert in that area – that’s the key to self-employed success.
You should also set up an Instagram account to showcase your talents and grow your following. Brands are willing to pay significant sums for sponsored posts on professional photography accounts, even if you only have a few hundred followers.
2. How to turn a design hobby into a business
While many believe that turning their creative flair into a liveable wage is reserved only for the artists hanging in The Louvre, the reality is much more universal.
In fact, millions of artists around the world have founded successful design businesses – and you can get in on the action, too. Build up your portfolio, apply your unique designs to personalised items using the latest software and attend arts and craft fairs to sell your creations at the weekend.
And if you want to expand your business into the digital sphere, there are plenty of online marketplaces, such as Etsy, which provide the infrastructure to get your business off the ground.
3. How to turn a cooking hobby into a business
Whether you have a secret family recipe that always delivers or love nothing more than weekend spent experimenting in the kitchen, cooking has the wonderful ability to fill your wallet - as well as your stomach.
There are many ways to monetise your culinary skills, starting with food blog writing or creating your own YouTube channel to document your kitchen escapades, for example. Equally, you could take your delicious creations on tour, visiting food markets and shows across the country. Many aspiring cooks also open food truck businesses and camp in culinary hotspots to optimise on high footfall, helping to turn out a healthy profit.
To get in on one of the latest food crazes, you could even send out personalised subscription boxes, which include ingredients and special recipes of your own design.
4. How to turn a sport hobby into a business
Love sports but don’t quite have the skillset to go pro? Not to worry, there are still plenty of ways to monetise your athletic passion.
Fitness gurus, for example, can make money by upskilling as personal trainers – all they need is a coaching qualification and a network of eager customers. Die-hard fans of sports, such as football and rugby, can also earn a living by blogging, vlogging and podcasting about particular teams, with websites like Patreon allowing audiences to pay to view exclusive content.
5. How to turn a shopping hobby into a business
As the old adage goes, you’ve got to spend money to make money – which is exactly what a shopping business sets out to do.
A professional shopper peruses retailers for unmissable bargains, hidden gems and limited edition items, which they can either repurpose or sell on for a tidy profit. Resale platforms are awash with such rare items and customers willing to bid big money to obtain them. So, get to work by firstly setting up a Depop shop or eBay account to find your demographic, then get to hustling.
To succeed in this type of enterprise, you must be quick to the mark, patient and have an excellent understanding of retailer trends. In this respect, keeping an eye on social media to discover the latest crazes to sell is vital.
Now you know how to turn a hobby into a business, you will need a working space to match your ambitions. Here at Bruntwood, we provide outstanding office, co-working, retail and lab spaces, complete with state-of-the-art facilities that help every kind of business thrive. Find your nearest Bruntwood location and join our growing community of independent businesses today.