Turning a hobby you love into a business that can either contribute to your current income or support you in the future will take planning and focus. However, by combining your joy and passion into a money-making venture, you can enjoy a deep satisfaction in how you spend your time. You will need to allocated resources to this endeavor.

Time and Focus

Determine how much time you currently put into your hobby. If you spend time day-trading during evenings and weekends but put it down when you have something else to do, your business may suffer.

Discuss your desire to start a business with family and friends, or anyone else that you spend your free time in the company with. Let them know that you may need to block out time away from your regular job to focus on your hobby as it grows into a business.

It's important to remember that hobbies aren't all about handicrafts or other tangible creative outputs. For example, those who love animals but aren't in a good position to have their own live-in pet, the time they spend at a shelter could be turned into a pet care business. 

Your ability to make dogs feel at ease could be expanded with additional training in lighting and photography. Even better, this business would require very little investment on your part in terms of space or supplies.

One of your greatest resources once you become a business owner is your time. Make sure you don't try to do it all. As your business picks up, your time and focus need to be directed toward building more stock and expanding your offerings. 

If you want to start a blog, consider hiring out the actual writing. Make sure you have help in setting up your website. Teach your class online, but work with a pro to set up the camera and create effective lighting.

Supplies and Resources

Your hobby may take regular stock of supplies, but once you start a business those supplies need to turn a profit, or at least pay for themselves. Luckily, many hands-on ventures actually can be done with little capital investment. For example, if you're a painter, a single tube of paint can be used on multiple canvases. Or if you’re starting to do web design you can use the computer you already have. Along these same lines, there are a variety of cuting-edge practices such as agile coaching that can help you engage your love for technology along more lucrative lines. If you’re wondering, what is agile coaching? Look online for resources that can help you understand the market background in order to find niches that might suit your skills and interests.

On the other hand, your floral oil painting business will take talent, skill, and imagination. However, once you buy an angle saw, the framing process will be quite thrifty.

If your hobby takes a special talent, you deserve to be able to capitalize on it. In addition, you've added skills to your talent base. Do what you can to monetize those skills. For example, you can teach a class in-person or on-line to others who appreciate your skill and want to build their own hobby.

Space to Work and Sell

For those who have a long-standing hobby, you probably already have the space you need to paint, sew, or knit. However, when you turn that hobby into a business, you may have to make a further investment in the space. 

For example, you may need to create more storage for your finished product as you build up stock. If you're working with oil paint or any resinous products, you may need to boost the airflow in your creative space.

Many creative people find space for their output online. Stores like Etsy are a great place to start, or you can build your own website to display your wares. Further benefits for your business can be gained by starting a blog to share your mindset, creative path, and future plans.

While participating in craft fairs can be a slow way to expand your client base, it's a great chance to network with potential clients or business partners. Fellow artists can be a great source of information on building your brand and making your presence known in the community.

Your hobby is your passion. It can become your full-time job with planning, focus, and time. Be ready to learn new skills to expand your visibility and footprint.