Every one of us has a passion, whether its fashion or photography. But do you know that you can turn that hobby into a viable business enterprise? A number of entrepreneurs are making money off of things they love to do. They took a leap and turned their passion into a full-fledged business. Contacted for a comment, Ken Mugabo, an upcoming producer, shared his view saying that the way a person makes a living should reflect who they are as an individual. “When choosing an occupation, you must take into account your interests, personality and work related values,” says Mugabo who is currently pursuing cloud engineering. He adds that given the amount of time you spend at work, it is essential to enjoy what you do while you are there. Giving himself as an example, the producer adds that turning a hobby into a career is a step all entrepreneurs can consider if they are longing for full accomplishment in what they do. “I have never gone to a music school but during high school, I often found myself playing music and yearning to create music,” he says, adding that even though he is pursuing cloud engineering, he also wants to venture into music production as a career. Mugabo also points out that there is a good chance a person has skills related to their hobby. “If you love something, you are likely to also have the skills on that particular thing, then why not earn your living doing something you both enjoy and at which you will excel.” Whereas pursuing this path doesn’t come easy, it can be possible with the right planning and hard work. Here are some steps that can help you turn your passion into business. Define your passion Be clear on what you are passionate about. To successfully transform that passion into a business, you need to have clarification on what exactly you have to do. Define the steps you are going to take to ensure that your idea evolves into a profitable business. See that the idea you have is going to fulfil an unmet need in the marketplace because this is the best way to ensure that the business will be lucrative even in the long run. Start small Starting your own business can be very exciting but be careful not to be consumed by this excitement. Don’t go overboard with numerous plans for your new venture. Start small and take risks that you will manage to handle. Taking simple steps at the start gives you a chance to test the waters first and see how far and what steps to take. Establish a support system It’s extremely important that any new entrepreneur forms a support system that will help them get through the challenges that come with starting and running a business. Find a mentor or join a group of entrepreneurs, having an established network can be very helpful in terms of seeking guidance. Plan Starting a business requires that you plan ahead. Embarking on this journey without a clear plan is plain risky. Consider the extensive operational and financial objectives of your new business. Establish a structure that will act as the blue print for the smooth running of your business. Treat your passion as a business If you treat your business more like a hobby, chances for its growth into a lucrative venture are bound to be limited. Have a vision and be ambitious for your business. Put in extra hard work because running a business takes much effort than a regular day time job. Owning and running your business means spending countless hours building and marketing your brand. Keep innovating Reports indicate that every step of professionalising a hobby requires an added ounce of innovation. In particular, they say, every aspect of creating a career involves inventiveness and imagination. Whether it’s how you create the product or how you encourage the market, you will need to learn to innovate. No matter how successful you get, you can never stop brainstorming. Be persistent According to Mugabo, turning a hobby will in most cases need going an extra mile. “This requires hard work on a daily basis. Some normally want to stop on the dreaming aspect. But that’s not enough, you also have to take action. And this is done daily.” Be authentic Entrepreneurs define authenticity as staying true to who you are, what you do and who you serve. In an environment in which more human elements matter, Rose Mutoni, a business woman, believes that it creates values and benefits for followers as well as improving business. Listen to feedback Friends, family, trusted peers, and role models play a vital role in helping you to successfully professionalise your hobby. Listen to their feedback and consider their remarks, because it’s possible that your enthusiasm and passion are keeping you from seeing something that might be a hazardous obstacle.
