In 2020, entrepreneurship is more accessible than ever. No longer is the average Joe or Jolene destined for a 9-to-5 office job. Our cubicles are our computers, our “Hang in There” cat posters are simply gifs of cats playing the piano.
That being said, many people searching for work in the digital age might not realize just how valuable their current talents are.
Turns out, your cash cow might already be grazing in your pasture, waiting to be milked. So, listen up, cowboy: here are four hobbies that you could be making money from right now.
Yeehaw!
#1 Illustration
If the canvas sings upon the touch of your brush, if paper smiles at each stroke of the pen, then perhaps your passion for illustration can lift your bank account, as well as your spirits. There are so many ways you can apply your talent and love for drawing to a business venture.
Here are just some to get you started:
- Print and sell stickers, posters, and T-Shirts on Etsy or Society 6.
- Sell prints of your drawings at local cafes or flea markets.
- Paint murals on the walls of restaurants interested in boosting their aesthetic flair.
- Draw custom stationery and postcards and sell them to stores in your neighborhood.
- Thrift and customize well-kept clothes, bags, and shoes and paint your own designs over them. Watch their resale value go through the roof when you sell them online.
#2 Baking
If you are always the go-to guy or gal for all things baked goods, there’s a chance you could be turning your cupcakes into cash.
Whether you’re entering competitions, opening a storefront, or making events sweeter, you’ll want to start with some baking essentials like:
- An assortment of cake tins
- A pastry blender
- Piping tips
- A rolling pin
- An icing smoother
- Cooling racks
- Baking parchment
- A food processor
#3 Playing With Pups
Do you have a knack for making playful pups sit, jump, and shake? Are animals drawn to you naturally? Then perhaps you can turn your finesse with dogs into a real business.
Puppy love, money, and exercise without the gym? We’re jealous already!
Through apps like Wag! or freelance websites like Fiverr, you can advertise your services as an amateur dog-charmer, which may include:
- Dog Walking
- Pet Sitting
- Training
However, make sure that you accurately represent yourself as an amateur dog whisperer. To get to the next level, you may need to acquire certifications and small business insurance. Reaching out to trusted friends and neighbors who understand your experience level is a great start.
#4 Gaming
Don’t listen to your mom or your judgy uncle—playing video games is productive!
While you can keep enjoying it as a pastime alone or engage in friendly competition with your buddies, you can actually open a stream of income from gaming.
Here are just some of the most common ways people do that today:
- Competing in eSports in League of Legends, Dota, Overwatch, and more.
- Streaming gameplay on Twitch or YouTube.
- Writing reviews or commentary videos about video games on platforms like YouTube.
Not only can you potentially win a lot of prize money in competitions, but simply filming yourself playing (and adding a unique zing to your content) can earn you big bucks from ad placements and sponsorships.
Bonus: Crafting and Fashion
If you love both, then you’re in for a treat. There are so many business ideas in the craft and fashion niche, which you can try. One that’s relatively easy and affordable is jewelry and accessory making. You can use quality, affordable beads, gemstones, metals, and supplies to create stunning jewelry and accessories. You don’t need to buy precious stones or metals to sell your products. Bank on your creativity to get your products off the shelves.
If accessory making is not your thing, here are other fashion- and craft-related business ideas to try:
- T-shirt printing
- Crocheted apparel
- Custom-tailored clothes
- Ready-to-wear clothing label
- Costume design and ready-to-wear costumes
The possibilities are endless. List down all the business ideas you’re interested in, and try to narrow down the list to the ones that are easiest to start. Then conduct market research to select which idea is the most lucrative. This way, you can start working on your idea as soon as possible.
Embrace Your Passion
In your effort to turn your pastime into a payday, don’t lose sight of why you embarked on this hobby in the first place. Remember that you do it because you love it, because it interests you, and don’t let the stress of making money from it dwindle away at your passion.
When times get tough, think about how lucky you are to generate income from a hobby that sparks joy in your life. Congratulations and good luck!