Have you ever found yourself thinking, I wish I could make money doing what I love? Well, you can!
Over the years, I’ve turned some of my favorite hobbies into income streams, and it’s been a game-changer.
Whether you’re looking for extra cash or dreaming of full-time self-employment, these hobbies can help get you there.
1. Graphic Design
I’m not a pro at graphic design by any means, but I have been using my intermediate skills for side hustles. Canva is my go-to tool for graphic design and it has always been my recommendation for beginners. Canva has a ton of templates that are all ready to go, making it easy to play around with graphics and put your own personal touch on things.
I find graphic design work on UpWork, usually in the social media or Pinterest management area. There are a ton of free courses online that teach you how to get better in graphic design, as well as affordable online courses to truly excel in the area, which is what I plan to do.
Recommended reading:
2. Blogging
Writing about my passions led me to monetize my blog with affiliate marketing and sponsored content. If you enjoy sharing ideas, a blog can be a great way to earn passive income. Blogging isn’t easy, but it’s certainly not dead.
I know this because I’m in the blogging community and see new blogs popping up all the time, and hear from people a year or two years in making anywhere from $1,000 a month to $5,000+ a month. It really depends on your niche and how much work you put into your blog.
If you want to learn more about blogging for income, here is a free blogging bootcamp training I recommend.
3. Photography
If you love taking photos, why not sell them? Stock photo sites, event photography, and even social media content creation are great ways to turn a hobby into money.
You can sell your photos to sites like UpSplash, ShutterStock, Getty Images, and so many other sites.
4. Handmade Crafts
Etsy has been a lifesaver for creative entrepreneurs! I’ve dabbled in making customized gifts and digital downloads—it’s a fun way to make money while doing something creative.
Here’s a short list of handmade crafts you can make and sell:
- Personalized mugs
- Hand-painted signs
- Hand-sewn bags
- Custom t-shirts
- Custom pet portraits
Recommended reading:
5. Social Media Management
If you’re someone into social media and growing businesses online, you’d probably love being a social media manager. This job includes tasks like:
- Creating graphics
- Writing captions
- Scheduling posts
- Copywriting
I now help small businesses grow their online presence through content creation and engagement strategies.
6. Pet Grooming
If you love pets, you might love working at a pet grooming business. This is a great way to turn your passion into income. Even mobile grooming or pet sitting can bring in extra cash! I never did pet grooming myself, but I did side hustle as a pet sitter and dog walker for a long time on Rover and loved it.
7. Video Editing
With the rise of YouTube and TikTok, video editing skills are in demand. I always see jobs for this on UpWork.
Start with beginner-friendly software like CapCut or watch YouTube tutorials, and practice daily with short clips. Use royalty-free footage and experiment with effects, transitions, and music syncing.
8. Coaching or Consulting
9. Writing and Editing
From freelancing on Fiverr to ghostwriting, there are so many opportunities to make money from writing. I’ve written blog posts and social media captions and have done a ton of copywriting for businesses. You can always find writing and editing jobs on Upwork, too.
10. Urban Foraging & Selling Natural Products
Urban foraging, like gathering wild, edible plants, herbs, or mushrooms in city parks and natural spaces, can be turned into a profitable hobby. You can sell dried herbs, homemade teas, natural skincare products, or even wildcrafted spices at farmers’ markets or online.
Many people are willing to pay for locally sourced, organic ingredients! Just make sure to research plant identification and foraging laws in your area.
11. Handmade Miniatures & Dollhouse Decor
Creating tiny, detailed furniture, food, or accessories for dollhouses and miniature collectors can be a surprisingly lucrative hobby! There’s a huge market on Etsy and in collector communities for realistic miniatures, whether they’re made from polymer clay, wood, or resin.
You can sell them as individual pieces, DIY kits, or even take custom orders for unique designs. Plus, it’s a fun and creative craft that allows for endless artistic expression!
12. Customizable meal prep service
If you have an interest in cooking or nutrition, you could offer personalized meal plans and prep services for people with specific dietary needs, like gluten-free, keto, vegan, or low-carb. You could create and deliver weekly meal kits or pre-cooked meals to clients, helping them save time while staying on track with their health goals.
To make it even more unique, you could offer one-on-one consultations to build personalized plans based on preferences or specific health goals, like weight loss, muscle gain, or managing food allergies.
13. Digital art commissions
If you’re skilled in digital illustration, graphic design, or even animation, you could offer custom artwork services. People love having unique artwork created for things like:
- Personal portraits (of people, pets, or even fictional characters).
- Custom logos or branding for small businesses.
- Illustrations for websites, blogs, or social media.
- Digital art for book covers or album art.
14. Mobile car detailing
If you’re into cars or have an eye for detail, you could offer services like:
- Interior and exterior cleaning (vacuuming, waxing, polishing, etc.).
- Headlight restoration or engine bay cleaning.
- Eco-friendly detailing using sustainable products.
- Mobile service where you visit clients at their homes or workplaces.
15. Sustainable fashion upcycling
If you have an eye for fashion and creativity, you could turn old or unwanted clothes into something new and trendy. You could offer services like:
- Upcycling clothes by turning old garments into stylish, custom pieces (e.g., transforming oversized shirts into chic dresses or jackets).
- Custom embroidery or patchwork on clothing to add a personal touch.
- Restyling or resizing clothes to fit customers’ needs.
- Creating and selling your upcycled designs on platforms like Etsy or at local markets.
Summary
You don’t have to choose between passion and profit—you can have both!
Start small, test the waters, and see where your skills can take you. What hobbies have you turned into income?
Alexis Schroeder is the CEO and founder of FITnancials.
With budgeting and side hustles, Alexis paid off over $40,000 of debt and made over $100,000 in side hustles in college.
Since starting this website over 10 years ago, Fitnancials has reached over 3,000,000 readers. We’ve been featured on sites like Forbes, Yahoo, Side Hustle School, GOBankingRates, Mint, and many more.
If you want to contact Alexis, please send an email to [email protected].
