Show of hands. When you were a little kid, you had a favorite hobby- like drawing, sewing, or helping your dad chop wood for the fire-place? And at the time you thought “I want to do this the rest of my life.”
As you grew up you may have realized there is not a career in that hobby, without losing the enjoyment at least. In order to turn enough profit to manage overhead and sustain a lifestyle, the numbers have to make sense. More often than not, it doesn’t make sense.
But this doesn’t mean you have to trade in your childhood passions or raw talents for a 3-piece suit or pair of stilettos. Some people have a gift, a natural talent. And if you use that talent to find a niche, there is no reason you can’t turn this hobby into a profit.
So can you turn a passion into profit? Heck yes!
Ellie L. Illustrations
When Ellie was a little girl she wanted to be a fashion designer. She went to school and practiced drawing, and in her free time she competed in pageants. Although she may never be a fashion designer in Paris, she has found a way to satisfy her love of fashion design.
Ellie has a talent for drawing beautiful gowns, and a connection to the world of pageantry. This is her niche. In addition to any full-time job she gets, she is able to draw custom, high fashion illustrations of pageant titleholders across multiple systems. She loves to draw, and would probably does that in her normal life anyway. But she found a way to combine her passion with talents and make a name for herself.
Pupperwear
Growing up, Elena liked to sew. Nothing serious, but she enjoyed it. She had no plans to become a professional seamstress, and went to school to join the medical field. But she still loves sewing. And, she loves her chihuahuas.
Many of the clothing offered for dogs did not fit her petite canines, so Elena started making her dogs custom clothes- dresses with ruffles, pajamas, and even diapers. People started to notice, and ask if they could buy some outfits for their dogs. From that, Pupperwear is born- a high-end dog clothing line for designer dogs. She is able to sew in her free time, and make a profit from something she would be doing anyway.
Both of these ladies have jobs outside of their childhood hobbies, but that doesn’t mean they outgrew their passions. They simply found a niche.
Side Note: Both of these ladies are, well, ladies. Did you know if you Google image search “CEO”, there are literally countless rows of male CEOs before a female reference? That female reference: CEO Barbie.
Side Note #2: Age is not a factor. Ellie is 24, and Elena is 25. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too young to pursue your dreams.
Side Note #3: Other Honorable Mentions (Boss Ladies who found profit = passion + niche):
- Mermaid Harmony: Environmentally friendly, fandom relative, crafts. Oh, and she is a mermaid at festivals and special events.
- The Adirondack Ink: Hand-lettered signs, mugs, and other wedding goodies.
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