Turn Your Hobby Into a Career in 5 Steps

Experts say that many of today's small businesses are a result of a person following their passion. So don't waste another day doing something you don't enjoy. Follow these five easy steps for turning your hobby into a career you love.

Step 1: Explore the possibilities.
Consider what types of moneymaking opportunities are available in your area of interest. Look online and check the Yellow Pages for business categories and listings of companies that do what you want to do. Visit your local library and seek out reference materials that relate to your hobby.

Let's say your hobby is dog training. Start your research by reading magazines, newspaper articles and books dedicated to dog obedience, pet ownership and animal behavior. In these materials, you are likely to find information that will help you think about what it takes to start a dog training business. Or, check out job search Web sites like CareerBuilder.com for possible openings in your field of interest by doing a keyword search. To perform a search, simply go to the "Quick Job Search" area and enter related key words or phrases such as "dog obedience" or "dog training." You may be surprised to find openings that are a close match to your skills right in your own backyard. If you don't find any, don't be discouraged. Check back often, you never know when a prospective employer will post your dream job.

Step 2: Get expert advice.
Visit your local office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. In addition to providing you with a wealth of information about starting and owning your own business, these offices usually hold conferences and have networking groups for new or prospective business owners. Be sure to ask about any government assistance programs for small business owners.

Experts also suggest that prospective small business owners take advantage of every opportunity to talk to local business owners within their communities by attending chamber of commerce meetings. Once you get to know some of the chamber members, ask them for startup advice or referrals to other sources of assistance. Take a class on starting your own business at your local college or university. You also should consider doing volunteer work or accepting a job in your area of interest. You'll gain firsthand experience and meet valuable contacts that you will need once you get your business up and running.

Step 3: Conduct simple market research.
Talk to people and businesses in your area and ask for feedback on your business idea. It would be very wise for a potential dog trainer to talk to local veterinarians, dog groomers and pet store owners/managers. These are the people who work with your potential clientele each and every day. Ask them for their opinions on your business idea and whether there is a market for your services.

Step 4: Draft a simple business plan.
There are scores of books that will walk you through the creation of a simple business plan step-by-step. The SBA can provide you with an easy-to-use format. Whatever you do, don't skip this step. You'll need to see in black and white the blueprint for your potential business.

Step 5: Just do it.
Once you've made the decision to turn your hobby into a job, go for it! That's exactly what one woman with a talent for floral design did. She had loads of floral design products lying around her home from years of making floral arrangements for friends and family members. One day she put all of those materials to work for her. She made up10 floral arrangements, which she loaded into her van along with her young son and went from floral shop to floral shop selling her products. By the end of the afternoon, she had sold them all and gotten orders for more. Today, she regularly receives orders from area flower shops and has a successful small business all her own.