A Business Isn’t the Same as a Hobby

Duh!  That’s obvious.  You take in and hopefully make money from a business, but you don’t with a hobby.

True, but there are other differences, too.

• You have to stick to a schedule and meet deadlines.
• You often make items to other people’s specifications  rather than yours.
• Your production now may become  monotonous because you make the same item over and over, as I did when producing children’s appliquéd vests.
• You may work more hours than you did at your job and don’t make any more money.
• You must take care of your own social security and taxes from your profits.
• You often encounter customers who are very fussy, have complaints, think they know what they want and don’t, and who are slow to pay.
• You must take charge of collecting from customers who present excuses for delaying payment or not paying at all.
• You don’t have a regular pay check.

With a hobby, you’re generally doing what you like for the pure pleasure of it and don’t have to worry about deadlines (unless you participate in a show).  Anything you sell or money you take in is a bonus.

However, when you develop your hobby into a business, you’re doing something you basically enjoy in spite of any drawbacks.  So look at all angles…and may you have much success!

Image: sxc.hu