Turning Your Passion into a Business
How to turn your passion into a day job that is both fulfilling and successful.

Almost everyone out there has a hobby they are passionate about. Something that they look forward to as a way of getting through the workdays. But what if there was a way to turn that hobby into something more?
Many creatives daydream about turning their passion into something grand - a business all their own. The idea of turning a passion into a business is not new - many have done it before, and many more are in the process of doing precisely that right now. Given this fact, plenty of advice is available on turning a passion into a business. Here are a few tips.
Research Is Your Friend
The number one thing anybody should do before starting a business is to take the time to do some research. Researching is an excellent way to ensure you know everything you need before getting started. There’s a market to understand, potential clients (target audience) to learn about, competition to study, and business basics to learn.
Yes, this is a lot to research, but getting a handle on it will make things easier in the long run. There’s nothing more anxiety-inducing than a panic search mid-launch. This preliminary research can help clear up a business plan, making the whole process easier.
Turn It Into a Side Hustle
Starting a new business can be intimidating. The idea of putting all those eggs into one basket is a lot. One of the best ways to start a business while minimizing risks is to turn it into a side hustle.
A side hustle is a relatively modern term to describe what happens when a person opens a business on the side while holding onto their full-time job. It’s something that many people have begun embracing as they seek to diversify their income or finally start that passion project.
Remember: it’s okay to start small. Just because a business starts as a side hustle does not mean it will always be this way. With time and effort, it has the potential to become your full-time job.
Find Support
Not all businesses require a large amount of funding to get started. However, having some funds to start with does make the process easier. As such, it is beneficial to find support where you can. Friends and family may be willing to invest in your business idea. Alternatively, many small business initiatives are available, including the U.S. Small Business Administration. Look into every avenue to see which has the most potential.
Talk About It
Talking about a business is one of the best ways to get the word out. However, many people struggle with the idea of selling themselves or their business. They hesitate to promote their ideas to friends and family. It’s essential to overcome this hesitation, as friends and family can easily be the most prominent supporters a new business has access to.
Online Presence Essentials
Launching a new business these days is about more than opening a shop and hoping for the best. Most companies need an online presence to thrive. In other words - don’t forget to establish an online presence for your business! Launch a website and create social profiles to help get the company out there.
Don’t forget that digital marketing is a growing industry. Consider marketing through targeted social media ads or email blasts. It’s also worthwhile to remember that many customers prefer to reach out to a business through social media first. Having an easy way to be found will result in happier customers.
Know When You Need Help
Finally, it’s essential to know when you need help. Needing help can come from various places. Maybe a new business needs some specialized expertise to get off the ground. Or perhaps some additional funding is required. Alternatively, it might be time to take the next big step and hire your first employees. The trick is knowing when to admit that a business has become too much for just one person.
About the Creator
Miriam Mades
Founder of AlterKnit in New York, Miriam Mades is an entrepreneur whose career in custom garment repair began as a knitting business. After operating a knitting store, Miriam rose to meet the needs of the customer providing custom knitwork.


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