Hu$tling Your Hobby: From Novice To Artisan

How do you take a passion project and turn it into a profitable side hustle? This week, we discuss the journey from novice to artisan. We'll give you actionable first steps that you can take towards growing your side hustle. This episode comes paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Our Hosts:

Corinne Foxx - @corinnefoxx

Natalie McMillan - @nataliemcm

What We're Drinking: Freemark Abbey Sauvignon Blanc 2018

INTRO

While enjoying their Sauvignon Blanc, Corinne and Natalie discuss how they spent their weekends. Corinne talks about her recent 12-hour road trip to the Redwoods. Natalie recaps her recent experience using a wax pot, her failed attempts at self-tanning, and how she gave herself a hickey.

Lastly, Natalie talks about her recent dating profile song choice: Who Let The Dogs Out vs. Aaron’s Party. 

TOPIC

A lot of people are experimenting with crafts and trying new hobbies right now. From tie dying shirts to beaded bracelets to homemade candles, it seems as though many novices are turning into artisans. We want to help budding small businesses take the first steps towards creating a solid side hustle. 

STEP #1 CLEAR INTENTIONS

The first and most important step towards hustling your hobby is having a clear intention. You need to pinpoint exactly what your side hustle will be and be specific about it. If you’re a blogger, what will you blog about? If you’re selling a product, what is the product? Do you need a name? Or will you sell under your name?

The other side of clear intentions is about being realistic with yourself: How many hours a week do you want to dedicate to it? How will you balance your real job and your side hustle? What are your goals for the side hustle?

Specificity and expectations are the building blocks of clear intentions.

STEP #2 RESEARCH YOUR CRAFT & SPACE

RESEARCHING YOUR CRAFT

If you’re going to do something, do it well. For example, if you want to make candles, research how to actually make them. You should research how to do your craft, how to do it cost-efficiently and how to do it consciously. Before you can call yourself an artisan, you need to research your craft and its space. 

RESEARCHING YOUR SPACE

You should research your competitors, people that you admire in your space, what your craft's market landscape looks like, etc. You should be aware if people are making similar products to you. Then, you can decide how you will make you and your craft stand out.

RESEARCHING YOUR MATERIALS

This step is often overlooked. You need to research what materials and supplies you'll need to create your craft. If you want to start a YouTube channel, you'll need things like a camera and lights. If you want to tie dye t-shirts, you'll need to account for the costs of the dyes and shirts.

Natalie discusses the surprisingly high costs of shipping. This is something that you should take into consideration, before you begin to market your craft.

Corinne discusses how she was blindsided by the high costs of creating a website. She talks about how you should be prepared for the price of hiring a graphic designer, if you choose.

RESEARCHING TECHNIQUES

A great resource for researching