Sugar Pro or Hobby?

Anna Weisend
10 Apr 2019

Cakes, cookies, candy… OH MY!

Sugar work is fascinating. It is a great creative outlet and a fabulous way to make new friends. After all, most people are not going to turn away a tasty treat.

Many people in this business were drawn in from other areas of life. There are artists, engineers, accountants, IT people, and even lawyers (a shocking amount of lawyers- what is up with that?). They start playing around in the kitchen and BOOM! they are sucked in by the deliciousness of it all and leave their professions to follow their passion.

While all that sounds fabulous, going pro is not always the end game. There are passionate people out there, creating wonderful things, who are just loving their life the way it is without starting a business. They get to have fun without all the pressure of making a living. There is even evidence that having a hobby makes you better in your professional life .

Then there are those who are on the fence.

Should You Go Pro?

If you are wondering whether to take the leap or not, you have to look at all sides of the equation. Everyone’s situation is different so there is no easy answer, or one size fits all. There are, however, more questions that can help you clarify what you want.

Could/should you work for someone else or start your own business?
Would you do it full time or part time?
Will this type of change work for your family?
How would a move like this impact your finances and your time commitments?
Do you know the laws in your state for food-based businesses?
If you want a business, what type of business model would you use?
Who is your target customer?
What would you have to do to turn a profit?
Do you know the value of your skills?
How would you market yourself and your product?
If you had to do this day in and day out to feed your family, would you still love it as much as you do now?
Are you willing to work while everyone else is playing? (In the sweets business, it’s the weekends and holidays that make you the money)
Are you moving toward something better or just trying to escape something you don’t like?

Making a Case for a Hobby

The best part of having a hobby is you can choose when you want to do it.
You can do a little bit or a lot.
When it’s a hobby, if something doesn’t work out, it doesn’t affect your livelihood.
There is more creative freedom because you don’t have to worry about whether it is sellable or profitable to make.
There are no ancillary professionals involved (accountants, attorneys, the health department, etc)

Making a Case for a Professional

You get to make money doing something you love whether you work for yourself or someone else.
If you start your own business, you can structure it around your vision.
It is a great way to make money from your creativity.
You can employ others and help them reach their goals.
You can immerse yourself in something you love.

There Are Drawbacks

Nothing is ever 100% perfect. There are drawbacks in the sugar world. Sugar can be a really expensive hobby with all the fun tools and products available. If you are working for someone else, anything in the food industry tends to have a lower pay scale. If you are working for yourself, well, that has all the same drawbacks as any other small business.