Should you turn your hobby into a business?

Q. I have a hobby that I am thinking of turning into a business, but I'm nervous about taking the leap and unsure if my hobby can make me money. How I do I assess the possibilities? A.

Welcome to the world of the entre-not-so-sure. It's easy to get caught in this impasse, especially as in virtually 100% of cases, a business built around a hobby won't feel

anything like your hobby did in the first place. Think about it this way: To build a hobby you need * time * interest, and * practice To turn a hobby into a business you need * a potential

market to sell to, * an opportunity to fill that market, and * feedback from that market. Woodworking could be a profitable hobby. Getty Images Two different frameworks! If you are sitting

between these two worlds, ask yourself these three questions: QUESTION #1: Is your hobby some form of marketable skill? People might pay you for your woodworking, computer programming,

graphic designing or writing talents, but they will probably not pay you to swim, hike, or read. Start a business selling your art. Getty Images QUESTION #2: If so, are you willing to risk

some of the fulfillment you find in your hobby for the market's judgment? You might love painting in your backyard on the weekends, but are you willing to have someone give her opinion

on how much she's willing to pay for it? Question #3: If so, are you trying to make a few bucks on the side, or are you trying to make a living? Fifty dollars a month is a lot different

than a goal of $5,000 a month. Understand what you want out of your business and what it might take to get there. If you don't get to question 3, then move on and simply enjoy your

hobby for the pleasure it brings you. If you did get to question 3, it's time to start thinking like a business owner. Either way, don't beat yourself up for being an

entre-not-so-sure — beat yourself up for staying one. _BASSAM TARAZAI is a career coach and founder of Colipera (Collective Inspiration, Personal Accountability). Author of The

Accountability Effect, he runs goal-setting workshops for companies and universities._