7 Hobbies You Can Turn Into A Business
Perhaps you already have some hobbies, but did you know you can monetize them? With some ingenuity and motivation, you can turn that pastime into an income.
Every penny helps, so here is a list of seven hobbies that can give your bank balance a boost.
Hobbies You Can Turn Into A Business
Cooking
Do you have a passion for cooking? Feeding people can be a rewarding endeavour, and there are plenty of outlets to try your hand at cooking for customers. If you are thinking of starting small, then your local fete might be looking for a food stand which is a great way to start a small food company and get feedback.
If you are serious about your cooking or baking skills, then you might want to start a food company. A growing business needs customers and by putting yourself in the community, you create a presence for your food company and can get local support.
Photography
Stock photography can be lucrative if you are able to corner a market. See if you can incorporate a niche, such as your personal skill or job, into your stock photos. If you have a lab, you might have access to equipment, or if you love interior design, photograph your amazing home setup. A personal hobby that requires specialist equipment, such as gardening tools, will give you an edge for no extra cost.
Hiking and Walks
Being amongst nature is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon, and tourists will pay to be guided around a new place. If you know your local area well, then you can profit from your knowledge of the most scenic spots by offering guided walks to visitors. Plus, you also get to meet new people and get your daily exercise in.
If you want to increase your marketability, consider adding a photography element to your trip. If you know of any particular bird species that are common in the area, this can attract birders. Scout out the more picturesque spots to guarantee your guests a great photograph.
Languages
Even if you only speak one language, there is a market for helping foreign speakers practise their conversation skills in a relaxed setting. Doing this in a public setting, like a coffee shop, can help keep the conversation natural and save on classroom fees. Keeping conversations natural also helps foreign speakers avoid sounding like a textbook!
Music
If you know how to pluck a guitar or how to sing a perfect vibrato, then you could teach music lessons. Advertise in your local school or other public notice boards to find clients, or use an online service (just make sure your microphone is working).
If you want to start slow with teaching, then advertise yourself for beginners. This way, you will have enough knowledge to answer their questions and feel confident in your answers.
Gardening
If you are green fingered, then there are a few ways of monetizing this skill. Advertise yourself as a gardener to get some occasional cash inflow. There are simple tasks you can do, such as mowing a lawn or fertilizing a flower bed, but If you have a particular speciality, for example, growing vegetables or a particular type of flower, then advertise yourself as a consultant.
Your garden can also work for you. If you have a compost heap, then this can be bagged and sold, or if a particular plant grows especially well in your garden, then repot them and sell them on. Small, local markets can be a great place to sell these, and you can guarantee that they will grow in the local soil.
Sewing
If you are already nimble with a needle then there are lots of website marketplaces that want to showcase and help you sell your work. Have a look at what sorts of designs other sewers sell to figure out what to make and how to find a gap in the market. In the age of mass production, something handmade with love is desirable.
On top of all of this, if you also happen to have a video camera and some basic videography skills, you can video yourself doing your hobbies and make a vlog. This is a great way to introduce other people to your hobby and also make some money through clicks. Plus, you can raise awareness of your brand this way.
About the Author Jess Nielsen
Jess has spent years travelling the world full-time. Nothing else comes close to the reaches of this emotive activity...