From Side Hobby to Real Business: How the Right Support Changes Everything
Ever feel like you have all the skills but your business just won't get into gear? You know you're talented, you know people need what you offer, but somehow you're still stuck treating it like a weekend hobby instead of a real business.
One of the reasons so many "wannapreneurs" never get anywhere with their business ventures is exactly this, they treat them as a hobby instead of a proper business.
You can have all the skills and expertise you want, but if you don't commit, you and your business will always be stuck in first gear.
Today, I want to show you exactly what happens when someone finally makes that shift, and give you the specific framework you can use to do the same. This story will show you the exact process that transformed a scattered yoga teacher into a systematic business owner, and by the end, you'll have actionable steps you can implement right away.
My client had been a yoga teacher for years before we started working together. I've always appreciated how talented they were, but I was also surprised to see how stuck they seemed despite years of experience.
After only 3 months of working together though, things have shifted fast for them. Despite many life events happening during this time, they're now on track to finally turn a hobby into a sustainable business! 💪
The Reality of Solo Entrepreneurship
The majority of the population underestimates how hard it is to be a solo entrepreneur. Having expertise in something is far from enough these days. Converting knowledge into a successful business takes a lot of skills, work, and organization.
My client has been a yoga teacher for 6-7 years, has extensive credentials and expertise... but when it came to business development, they froze. They were overwhelmed by having too many ideas with no clear execution path, working only in leftover time, and had zero systems for client acquisition despite having a unique, needed service.
I've noticed this is very common for creative, right-brained people with a passion. They often think passion and working hard will take them there. I've seen it with my wife Rosie and with many friends and clients.
I believe in working hard, but simply putting in the hours is not a guarantee for success. You also have to work smart and strategically.
The Before Picture
In my client's case, they avoided business development because they were "afraid of technical things" and created unnecessary rules that complicated simple tasks. They also had deep discomfort with sales, feeling that outreach was "too salesy/pushy/inauthentic," which prevented them from connecting with prospects who actually needed their help.
As a result, they were scattered, tired, jumping from one opportunity to another without clear direction, undervaluing themselves and undercharging for their services... therefore having to work side jobs to pay the bills. It impacted both their physical and mental health, their confidence, and their energy.
The System That Changed Everything
We first started by redesigning their online presence with a brand new website.
"My website was stuck in 2019, the year it was created. Jeremie was so easy to work with to get my new website going faster than I had expected!"
After that, they enrolled in my consulting program where I help solopreneurs establish a direction to develop their business and hold them accountable. I'm the team in their corner whenever they need support, from someone to vent to, to someone willing to call them on their BS.
This is something I struggled with when I started dabbling with entrepreneurship. Doing it all alone is hard. Some days can feel very lonely.
Having this ongoing relationship with my clients is good for them, but also for me if I'm being honest.
Putting systems in place has lifted so much weight from their shoulders that they can now focus on what matters most, but it also leaves them with much more energy to deal with life in general.
"I am not exaggerating when I say I cried happy tears when I saw the completed site! I really feel like my business leveled up with this new website where the message that I want to share is expressed in my authentic voice."
It also made their business more profitable because their clients follow a specific path to register for classes and pay them... no more "I'll Venmo you later." 😅
The Breakthrough Moment
However, the biggest shift came during our 2nd session when we were talking about sales. They realized their discomfort came from trying to "sell" instead of simply having authentic conversations.
That's when I introduced the connection-first sales framework. Instead of focusing on getting new clients and pitching their services, I told them to shift their mindset to having more intentional conversations with people they could help, focusing the discussion around their struggles and how they could help people feel better in their bodies.
The shift was transformational. Suddenly, having calls with prospects wasn't generating anxiety anymore... they were actually excited about it! ✨
"Working with Jeremie has been a fun experience and I just couldn't be happier!"
The Results Speak for Themselves
You don't create a sustainable business overnight. Everything takes time, and patience is key.
But in only a couple of months, we're seeing great results and drastic changes in behaviors:
Built email list from 0 to 100 subscribers in 30 days 📈
Maintained consistent 5/5 energy ratings for 2+ months (vs. previous scattered energy)
Discovered major market opportunity
Shifted from avoiding outreach to actively recognizing business opportunities in daily conversations
Developed systematic monthly action plans with dedicated weekly working hours (vs. working in "leftover time")
What You Can Do Right Now
You don't need to hire anyone to start making these shifts. Here's what you can implement immediately:
Get clear on who you want to serve. Don't try to help everyone, pick a specific group of people with a specific problem you love solving. The more focused you are, the easier everything else becomes.
Design a simple and clear offer. Stop overthinking it. What's the main thing people need from you? Package it simply, price it fairly, and put it out there. You can refine later.
Block out working time like you have a regular job. Your business deserves dedicated hours, not leftover time. Schedule specific blocks for client work, business development, and admin, and protect them fiercely.
Don't get stuck perfecting internal processes. Yes, systems matter, but don't let perfectionism keep you from getting started. The world needs to know about you and what you offer. You can optimize once you have momentum.
Start with these four foundations, and you'll already be ahead of 90% of people treating their expertise like a hobby.
The Key Takeaway
I'm sharing this story because I want to illustrate that when you align passion and enthusiasm with strategy and focus, things click together and change happens.
If you're a solopreneur, stop treating your expertise like a side hobby.
If you have skills people need, the problem isn't your qualifications, it's treating your business like it doesn't deserve dedicated time and energy.
Block specific hours for business development, build simple systems for staying connected with your audience, and remember that authentic sales conversations are just helping people solve problems you're already equipped to solve.
The difference between those who make it and those who don't often comes down to having the right support system in place. 🤝
Ready to Turn Your Expertise Into a Real Business?
If you're reading this thinking "That could be me," you're probably right.
Maybe you're tired of treating your skills like a side hobby. Maybe you're overwhelmed by all the moving pieces of running a business. Or maybe you just want someone in your corner who gets it.
Here's what I can help you with:
Get clear on your business direction and stop spinning your wheels
Build simple systems that actually work (no more "I'll Venmo you later")
Transform your relationship with sales from anxiety to excitement
Create consistent momentum even when life gets messy
I work with solopreneurs and creatives who have the skills but need the strategy and support to make it sustainable.
If you're thinking "I don't know if this will really help me," let's talk about it in a free initial chat, there's nothing to lose, and clarity to gain.
🗓️ Ready to stop treating your expertise like a hobby? Schedule a free discovery call and let's see if we're a good fit. No sales pitch, just an honest conversation about where you're stuck and how to get unstuck.