Turn Your Hobby into a Career and Love What You Do While You Earn

One of my first posts here at Free Money Finance has also been one of my most popular. It was titled Turn a Hobby into Income and suggested taking something you love (gardening, restoring classic cars, collecting antique jewelry, etc.) and developing it into an extra income. Who wouldn't love making extra money off something they loved doing? No wonder the post has been so popular.

Well, here's another article that's very similar. This one tells the story of a guy who turned his love of mountain biking into an entirely new career. Here are the details:

Petro owns and operates Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland, Ohio, the world's only indoor mountain-biking venue.

Petro, a remolding contractor, started mountain biking in the spring of 1996 to improve his health. "I was out of shape, and I was nearing 30, and I was like, I've got to do something."

Petro cashed in his life savings. "I took everything I had and then some and just spent it all on wood for me and my friends to ride," Petro says. "I wasn't afraid of being broke. It was like something just said I had to do it."

The article focuses much more on "he loves what he's doing" than "he's actually earning a living from it." In fact, there is not financial information at all. However, it still reinforces the point that it's possible to do what you love AND also make some money at it. For most of us that means some side income, not a full-time job, but that's still pretty good. Wouldn't you love to make some extra spending money from growing roses, cycling, working out or some other favorite hobby?

Which leads me to some questions: what's the hobby you have that you'd like to turn into an income? Have you ever tried to make money off of it? Why or why not? What happened? Let us all know your experiences in the comments below -- I'm sure there are some interesting stories out there.

Comments

[Tanya]

Wouldn't you know I finally get to be the first to comment, and it's not the book giveaway :0) But I really do enjoy reading your website, especially since I am about to start my 'career' in a month or so and I want to be ready. I intend to turn two of my hobbies into income. 1) Making jewelry - I have actually made a little money from it already, but lack of time has me putting that on hold.

2) I'm very into fitness and since I practically live in aerobics classes, I am studying to become a certified instructor so I can teach classes.

[annab]

I am starting on this now -- trying to sell some of my jewelry and illustrations. Not on a big scale, but hopefully they will help cover my 2006 Christmas expenses.

[Financial Reflections]

I like personal finance. I'm thinking of becoming a CFP, or something like that.

[Nick]

I love computers, but have yet to decide how to make money from them. I could go the route that everyone else is taking and design websites, but my design aesthetic suffers from a serious lack of color choice. I'm determined to find some way to make money from my hobby, I'm just not sure what it is yet.

[G]

I feel that you be doing what you love. You should be passionate about the work you do. If you love your job, you'll be excited to go to work. If you hate your job, why are you doing it?

[Rabbit]

I Love Doing WoodWorking projects. I can make anything if it is out of wood. I do make a little (very little) selling some of these products. You the horse race games, cornhole games for those of you that have heard of that, and anything else that I see out there that I may be able to make a buck at. Someday I will be able to supplement my income by doing this. So if anyone out there needs anything made out of wood let me know!!

Thanks, I love your site!!

[Chris]

I'm a CPA & I love learning about & applying personal finance advice in my life. I think I will pursue personal finance consulting in my spare time...

I read you site every day, I think it's great!

[Matt]

I love working and I am a teacher. I would love to make extra money helping parents help their kids. I just don't know how to get started.

[Heather]

Hi there everyone! I need help please...lol. I LOVE singing and have been performing for like forever in choirs, school concerts and talent showes sucessfuly. I am trying soo hard to make a career out of it but I have one problem...I only sing acapella or buy background music from companies. Will people be likely to buy my music with this being said; what are my chances or should I just quit this passionate dream and move forward with something else? I do have all the equipment etc needed to start my business. Thank-you:)
heather

[FMF]

Heather --

I've never known an artist who's been successful only singing to taped music, but that doesn't mean you can't earn some extra money from weddings, etc.

[HL]

My favourite job is to sing.I love to sing.E-mail me if you would like to see one of my shows.

[LauraZ]

I love to play and teach guitar and I love to plan travel trips...five years ago I quit my government job as a graphic designer and moved to Mexico (San Miguel de Allende) with my partner, who is also a guitar player and teacher. We now perform locally and throughout western and central Mexico, and we host guitar instructional intensives where we combine daily instruction in classical and fingerstyle guitar with cultural activities. We also lead guided trips to Paracho, the center of guitar building in Mexico.

This is how I changed my life to one of passion and joy...no deadend job for me. The financial part is working out little by little. Each year it grows...