Should my business be built on something I am passionate about? This is a question I have been asked many times and indeed one I have asked myself.
Passion and Business
In my days as a CPA I saw people who loved to cook so concluded they should open a restaurant. I saw people attempt to turn hobbies into businesses with varying levels of success.
When I came online I was faced with this question again this time for myself. The Passion and Business question.
I started learning about internet marketing from the late Corey Rudl. Corey started his weekend courses by asking people to decide what they were going to sell. He had his students ask themselves:
- What am I interested in?
- What am I passionate about? (there is that word again)
- What subject or topic do I have a lot of knowledge about?
- What are people always coming to me for advice about?
I struggled to find an answer for myself doing this exercise. Some of the things I am very passionate about I know I do not want to build a business around. The areas I have a lot of knowledge about were areas I wanted to move away from……. so I was stumped.
I share my thoughts here on this video.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj_2JPQQyLc[/youtube]
What do you think on this topic of Passion and Business? Did you pursue your passion when building your business?
For me as I share on the video I have come to realize the thing I am most passionate about doing is growing people. Helping people become all they can be as I too continue to grow. When I now reflect on the businesses I have owned it was what always inspired me. I loved seeing the people we employed grow and stretch.
Please leave me your comments below and if you found this post and video on Passion and Business please share it.
Sue Price
Skype: sueprice
Charles Stanley says
Well I will just say that everyone needs to know about his/her passion. If passion is convertible into business then it’s so good as you will pay double attention as it’s your passion and your source of income too. Accounting is my passion and today I am a good accountant and bookkeeper. It’s good to convert your passion into business.
Sue Price says
Hi Charles
That is excellent you are working in the area you are passionate about. I too am a qualified accountant although I know longer work in that area. Funny I did love it for many years but then lost the passion for it. 🙂
Thanks for finding my blog and for your comment. You have a great week.
Sue
Praveen Rajarao ( says
Sue – It is true and you have hit it on the nail. We should always follow our passion, else whatever we pursue it will never make it to the top. We will soon lose interest and it will go down the drain.
On the other hand, if we are already passionate about it, then there is nothing that can come in our way.
I loved your video and your passion of helping people is awesome.
Thanks for a wonderful post.
Sue Price says
Hi Praveen
I agree it would be way too hard to build a business on something we had no passion for.
Thanks so much for your feedback on my video. I do love helping people and love seeing people achieve. To me that is so fulfilling.
Thanks for your comment and have a wonderful week Praveen.
Sue
Silviu says
Hi,
Without passion it is very difficult to run a business. I know first hand because I tried to develop a blog in the weight loss niche. I am not particularly interested in the weight loss niche and many of the articles about nutrition were simple boring for me. But it was a very good niche. Everybody said that. So I tried it. I created that blog and developed it for about 10 months. I wrote around 250 blogposts, articles on Ezinearticles.com and many, many other things.
After 10 months I became so bored that I feel the need to howl like a wolf … to the Moon whenever I see that blog. What do you thing the results were? Not good, at best.
You need to have both: passion and a profitable niche.
Also, I daresay you need: targeted niche + efficient traffic techniques.
The most important element is passion. Without passion you will surely hate what you are doing and very soon you will quit.
As Steve Jobs said: “if there is no passion you will quit as this is insane”.
Silviu
Sue Price says
Hi Silviu
Your description of your weight loss blog made me laugh. I could just hear you howling like a wolf 🙂 I think you are amazing to have written 250 articles about something you really were not all that interested in. That is persistence! It is not surprising though that you did not have a lot of success when your heart was not in it.
I do think passion is important but you are correct in that you also need a targeted niche. We can be as passionate as we like about something but if there is no market for it or no profit in it – so what.
Ah Steve Jobs was certainly passionate. I am reading his bibliography at the moment. Have you read it? He was such an amazing man.
Thanks for your comment here Silviu and have a great week.
Sue
Barry Wells says
Hi Sue,
You make a really good point because following our passions doesn’t mean we’re going to be successful or create a successful business. As you said you didn’t want to sell shoes and handbags and that’s your passion.
When I first started working online I didn’t bring my passion to the arena as I couldn’t see a way of making a business out of wheelchair basketball without the funds to supply equipment and even then it’s such a specialist market that it’s hard to break into.
After chasing my tail, for what seemed an age, I decided to get a mentor and signed up to John Thornhill’s Masterclass. As part of that course I had to install a blog and start blogging.
At first I found this extremely daunting as I didn’t know what to blog about but after time, and once I got in the mix with other bloggers, I found my “online” passion and jumped in. Since then I have also developed a passion for helping others over the hurdles I once faced and I try to do this via my blog.
Many of us come online, without prior training, in the hope of creating an income for ourselves to become fully independent. Unfortunately many see the work involved and go back to pounding the pathment without trying to follow their passions or simply following the wrong one.
Personally I think if we can follow a subject that we’re passionate about we’re far more likely to enjoy our work and therefore more likely to keep at it until we find that success we crave.
I hope you’re as well as you can be Sue,
Regards,
Barry
Sue Price says
Hi Barry
Yes there has to be a market for something before we can build a successful business.
You did a very wise thing in finding a mentor. I think that is something we all should do when we come online. I too had some sessions with a business coach when I was at crossroads in my career. As all I knew was the things I did not want to do and had no idea what I really wanted to do. It has taken me time like it did you to find my way.
I think that blogging is a great way to express ourselves but I was just like you in the beginning. I had no idea what to blog about. I think most of us started like that. It is work to get an online business going and as you say many quit before they get too far.
I agree if we can follow a subject we are passionate about we will enjoy or work so much more.
For me I had such a varied career people would say things like “you have so much to share” and I would not know where to start.
I am well thanks Barry and I hope you are too. It is really good to see you back on your blog.
Take care
Sue
Adrienne says
As you were explaining Sue what you were told to do in the beginning I was nodding my head saying that’s me, that’s me.
The first course I bought was “The Insider’s Course” by Derek Gehl and I understand that he had taken the business over from Corey Rudl. I had the exact same issue when I was going through those questions. What am I passionate about! In all honesty, I wasn’t passionate about anything. I like to do a lot of stuff but I sure as heck wasn’t passionate about it.
Then they went on to ask you what you were really good at. Well I knew the answer to that too but I didn’t want to build a business around that either. That’s why I think it took me so long to find my place because knowing that you have to build a business around it for the long haul means you have to find something you really really enjoy. My brother has an offline business that he “fell” into but man he wishes he had done something else. He’s just stuck now!
Great tip and loved your video message. I really cringe when I hear people say that because I know from my own experience that this isn’t always the best move for us.
Hope you’re having a great week.
~Adrienne
Sue Price says
Hi Adrienne
I did think of you when I was talking about the Corey experience as I remember you telling me you did “The Insider’s Course”. Yes Derek did take over from Corey and the course is pretty much Corey’s.
I was just like you. As all I knew was all the things I did not want to do and really did not know what I was passionate about.
Oh Adrienne I was just the same as you at the question “what are you good at?” I knew mine but I wanted to move away from them. I was frustrated by the whole process. In fact I had been like your brother and “fallen” into accounting and then built a business in it. I was a good accountant but I was not happy. I love people and business so I could find parts I liked but I hated doing the actual accounting. Funny part is I am very good at it.
Thanks for the comment on my video. I decided it is time to get back to doing them.
I am having a good week so far. I hope you are too. Will miss you tomorrow 🙁
Thanks for your comment Adrienne.
Sue
Dana says
Hi Sue,
I love the way you talk! I have always liked the Australian accent 🙂
Great topic.
I have come to the conclusion that when we define our “passion” and decide to pursue it as a career, sometimes it’s no longer a passion – but rather an obligation. The magic of the passion becomes a means and therefore – an attachment to a result.
Passion – to me anyway – is a feeling of energy and joy that comes from a place beyond our physical mind. It’s a beautiful thing and if through enthusiasm, it somehow flows into a career, then great. But it has to flow. The way we find out?
If there is a struggle – then it isn’t working. Struggle represents resistance. It’s going upstream. If this is what turning a passion into a career does, then nope – it isn’t the right way to go. If, however, that passion presents people, opportunities and expansion that require some footwork, but offer no struggle, then in my opinion, that’s a sign that the passion would make a good career choice.
Long comment – but I enjoyed the post!
Sue Price says
Hi Dana
Thanks for liking my accent 🙂 I remember the first time I went to the USA about 20 years ago people were fascinated with the way we talked.
I love your comment here Dana and you have made such valuable distinctions. What a great insight in “when we define our “passion” and decide to pursue it as a career, sometimes it’s no longer a passion – but rather an obligation. The magic of the passion becomes a means and therefore – an attachment to a result.”
I agree with you on your definition of passion and where it comes from. And yes if there is a struggle then it is not working.
Yes it was a long comment but I love your thoughts on the subject. I think you should right the sequel to this post 🙂
Thanks for such a great comment Dana. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sue
Dee Ann Rice says
Sue,
I have struggled with the same question over time. When I started my blog and again when I produced my product. I had people tell me that just not to do either in the internet marketing niche because it was saturated. They also said not to produce a digital product for download online as those products were no longer selling.
I would have to disagree with all of those people. I continued in the internet marketing niche because that was where my interests were and I did produce a membership site for my product which also is in the internet marketing niche.
I believe that when doing something you love and want to pursue you have the greatest possibility to grow.
I remember when I was working for the National Park Service as a range in college. I loved my job and grew immensely. There was a lumber mill just down the lake from us and everyone I ever met who worked there hated their job. They worked all week just buying time to get to the weekend so they could enjoy life for 2 days. They were all at a dead end and did not even consider learning something new or trying something different. We (park rangers) would talk about how sad that was and how we were never going to have a job that we hated 5 days a week to enjoy 2 days a week. I think this is how it is with everything. If you do what you like to do and want to learn more about you will be a success.
I do agree however, just because you are passionate about something does not mean you will be successful turning that into a business.
Dee Ann
Sue Price says
Hi Dee Ann
I am sort of in shock that you were told digital products were no longer selling. For me it is the only thing I want to sell. When I first started online I was in a business with a friend and we were selling caps and hats and some other apparel. Having to ship is such a pain and i decided I would never do that again.
I think if you are in a crowded market place you just need to stand out. That is a whole other topic.
Yes when we do something we love we do have more chance of success as long as there is a market for it.
Now I just learned something else about you, being a park ranger. I am sure that was fun. I cannot imagine doing a job I hated. I don’t think I could. Now there are parts to what I do that I do not enjoy but I think that goes with any role. I keep my eye on the result.
Thanks for your great comment Dee Ann.
Sue
Mayura says
Hi Sue,
You have a really interesting topic being discussed here 😉
I believe passion can be turned into business but not for everyone 🙂 Not really a business, but I’ve been getting many requests from my relatives and even blog readers were asking why don’t you make money from blogging.
Yeah, I’ve been trying few options which don’t need extra effort. I know that many bloggers love to earn money from blogging too. Gosh… I really hate to put pressure on myself especially for something I consider as hobby Sue. I value freedom over money 😉 May be I’m good with blogging, but not blogging as a way to earn money from it. Writing is not my best gear either.
Like you, I do like helping people in possible ways but what doesn’t wears me off is helping ’em with technical stuff such as fixing issues, creating blogs 🙂 I can’t keep myself off from such stuff. Passion is also there. If I had push myself to earn money via blogging based on what others think that I’m good at, I think I’d be disappointed. It’s always the best to listen to your inner voice and decide what’s the best answer. Isn’t it Sue? 🙂
I think I’ve made the right choice there though I need to improve more as a freelancer. You know how it feels when you made the right choice, no Sue? 🙂
OR I just totally wrong here? 😉 lol… Let me know 🙂
You have a lovely and passionate weekend ahead Sue 😉
Cheers…
Sue Price says
Hi Mayura
Oh yes there is quite a discussion going on here isn’t there? It is an interesting topic.
I totally agree that some people can turn their passion into a business – but no not everyone. It really depends on the passion and the person – and mostly si there a market for it?
Ah blogging – can we make money from it? I think for me like many bloggers we blog to have a home and for people to know us. I do know some bloggers who are making a good living from their blog but most of course make their money via some other method.
If you are helping people with technical stuff are you charging them? I think you could have a good business doing that. I know a few people who charge a monthly fee to look after other blogs. Just a thought.
Yes Mayura we always know in our heart when we have made the right choice. What other people think at the end of the day is irrelevant – it is what is right for us. Having said that I think other people can help us and maybe point out something we are missing but it has to be in our heart for it to work for us.
What type of freelance work do you do?
What are you really passionate about Mayura?
You also have a lovely weekend.
Sue
Mayura says
Hi Sue,
Helping people by fixing technical issues is my real passion since I’m a child 🙂 Used to do for people around here, not for money though. Passion is something you do even for free. Isn’t it? 🙂
Of course dear, if someone need me to come over and fix issues on their blog or website or something online, I do charge ’em if I fix it 🙂 If they don’t want me there and just looking for answers, I’m not charging though. Hence I’ve implemented a support section on my blog to come and discuss their issues which is not discussed on my blog 🙂
I’m a freelance web designer and developer 🙂 You know, building and designing blogs and websites, plus related stuff. Troubleshooting is part of the story. I’m loving it and earning from it 🙂
That’s my dreamy business which is a reality by now though I’m in initiation phase and yeah, my passion aiding me there 😉
Cheers…
Sue Price says
Thanks for the clarification on what you do Mayura. It is good to know if I am asked who I know that can do what you do. And you have always liked helping people with their tech stuff .. that is awesome. I am so not technical I am in awe of people like you Mayura. But we all have our different gifts and things we like to do.
Thanks again for explaining what you do.
Take care
Sue
Sonia says
When I hear that word, I think back to all the websites I built on some idea that I was “passionate” about it. What ended up happening was that it was a great idea that I thought would bring me success in a fast way; only for me to give up after the fact.
I am passionate about Golf, but hated blogging about it and gave it up as soon as I built it. It took me years to get to where I am not and I have to say it wasn’t an easy journey. Once I started noticing that I couldn’t wait to write on some days and other times you couldn’t pry me away from the computer. That’s when it hit me that what I am doing now is something I am deeply passionate about. I like the idea of helping others learn from mistakes.
Passion is a big word I think some use or misuse into thinking that its their “calling” or something they are supposed to be doing. Then when times get rough they give it up quick. To me that’s not passion, but wrong expectations. It took me 10 years to find my true passion and I am glad that at last I can say I am happy with what I am doing now. Can I do more? You betcha, but its a journey I am willing to take. Great post Miss Sue!
Sue Price says
Hi Sonia
I had no idea you had built so many different websites. I think that idea and teaching that was around “turn your passion into your business” was flawed. I think your golf example is such a good one in that something you love you did not like writing about.
Passion is a big word _ I agree with you and it is so misunderstood. There are people like me and Adrienne that did not even know what we were passionate about when we came online.
10 years might seem like a long time Sonia but how many people do we both know who work in jobs they hate and maybe will never know what their true passion is. As you say it is a journey and at least we are on it.
Thanks for your great contribution to what has become a very interesting discussion here.
Have a great weekend Sonia.
Sue
Raena Lynn says
Hi Sue,
I was having a conversation with my daughter last week. She is an artist and her entire life she has heard from other people, “You can’t make money from art.” There are probably some people out there agreeing. The same thing is true for my youngest daughter. She is a dancer. For both of them, it is more than just “doing art” or “just dancing.”
For example, for my youngest, dance is her passion and I don’t think she is happy if she is not dancing most of the time. From very young through her high school years, she was on a competitive dance team. Of course for any teams in high school, the older kids graduate. Her team she had competed and traveled with most of her life was over. She was the youngest of the team so she was left behind. She still danced during her senior year, but not at the level she was accustomed to. She needed more and that fourth year was tough. She wasn’t depressed, but I could tell she wasn’t full of life as usual. (I know living through the senior year is a feat in itself, but I’m not talking about the general challenges).
Fast forward to the present. She is in a dance program and seems happier and engaged with life again. I’ve always told my girls, “Do what you love.” There is so much pressure to make money and financially sustain ourselves, so many people abandon their dreams. I want my girls to live their passion. I believe both of them are talented enough that the money will come.
I know that doesn’t have a lot to do with marketing, but I am passionate about what I do and I know how it feels to do what I love. I can share my feelings with my girls. I believe the most fortunate people on this planet are those who do what they love. Some may make a lot of money. Some may not make as much, but the bottom line, it is a source of happiness which is what we all strive for. I don’t think we ever “give up” or true passion. Thanks for sharing.
Raena Lynn
Sue Price says
Ah Raena
I just learned something else about you – and your girls. I too loved dance. I wanted to be a dancer too. Right though school and after I represented my state in Australia at a competition level. I never tried to make it a career but I did teach it and earn okay money while I was still at school. I ended up being an accountant when I really wanted to be a dancer – I think that is giving up on your dreams – or is it being practical?
It seems like your daughter is happiest when she dances. She will find a place for herself. As you say money is not everything and I agree. Maybe your daughter could learn to do internet marketing to support what she really loves. I think we cannot always make money from our passions so why not make money in some way that supports our passion? I think that is a good solution for many people.
Thanks for sharing about your girls and it is awesome you have encouraged them to follow what they love in life. It says a lot about you as a person and mother.
You have a wonderful weekend Raena.
Sue
Donna Merrill says
Hi Sue!
There is so much we see about “following your passion” as internet marketers. Well, passion is great, but will it make a good business? That’s where I think the starting point is.
I’m passionate about so many things. But the most is helping others grow – just as you do. Now from that point, we need to fine tune it down to a niche. Yes, we want them to grow but then the master plan has to be put in place. HOW?
Personal Growth, Business Growth, etc? Or can we package them all together? Ahhh that was my big question. But when I first started, it was so confusing. So I broke it down to Online Marketing and Self Development because it goes hand in hand.
We cannot market effectively without marketing tools. We also need to keep ourselves in tip top shape to be a leader in the field. So to me, those two became my “passion” and business point of view.
Now had I followed my passion of dogs, antiques, buying and selling real estate, I would probably run out of things to say. For these are other passions of mine.
When I took a deep look into it all, I came up with my conclusion. My niche is something I enjoy and can keep writing about without getting stuck. I can teach others and help them grow. Also it is a never ending process, so to me that is the one I chose.
It is tricky at first, but when taking a good look at things, we have to couple it with a business plan and see how far it can take us.
Great subject!
Donna
Sue Price says
Hi Donna
I agree with your starting point and that passion is great but will it make a good business? It seems you and I both have helping others grow as our number one passion. I also am very passionate about dogs even though we do not have one at the moment but no I cannot see me doing that as a business 🙂
I like the way you arrived at the direction for your online business. Maybe that is a product for you – helping others do the same. You and I both have had offline businesses but not everyone that comes online has that. In fact I would think most come to their online businesses after being employees. It is different thinking.
I like how you chose something that clearly you were not going to run out of content for. Yes we do need to couple it with a business plan.
Thanks for your great comment Donna. It is a great subject and sadly one that is misunderstood.
Have a great week.
Sue
Dan Black says
Hello Sue,
Passion can drive and fuel us. So it’s very relevant when it comes to doing something great in our life or business. People with passion for what they are doing will see better results than those who lack it.
Great thoughts!
Sue Price says
Hi Dan
I agree passion can drive and fuel us and we need the passion in our business. But just because we are passionate about something does not mean it will be a successful business.
It is an interesting topic.
Thanks for your comment Dan.
Sue
Barbara Charles says
Hi Sue,
I have never had any issues finding my passion in life although I think at one point I was confused as to the difference between my passion and my why. Maybe people think they are the same, but I saw them as different. Anyway, you enlightened me further and made me think if there is really a difference (for me anyway!).
Thanks for the insight.
Barbara
Sue Price says
Hi Barbara
I can imagine you would not have difficulty in identifying your passion. I am with you I think our Why and what we are passionate about are different. I have heard people say they are the same but I do not think so – for me anyway like you.
Glad you got a further distinction about it. Thanks also for your comment here.
Have a great week.
Sue
Sylviane Nuccio says
Hi Sue,
First off I love that video of yours. You need to do this more often:)
Very interesting topic, Sue. Wow, what a questions here.
Well, what I used to like the MOST was acting. I was in heaven when I was on a play, and then when people would applaud a well done work it was nirvana, but as you mentioned about those musicians it’s tough to make it in the show biz. I was tired of struggling.
Now, just like you, there are a lot of things I love to do, but I don’t necessarily want to make a business out of those
On the other hand I love to write, and help people and those are two thing that I’m trying to make a full blown business of.
Doing what you love for a living is really living in the end. So it really depends what among the things that you like will be good for YOUR business.
Great topic for discussion as I can tell by the comments you’ve got 🙂
Sue Price says
Hi Sylviane
Thanks for your feedback on the video and yes I am going to do more.
It is an interesting topic isn’t it. I have loved the feedback here and conversation that is happening.
I know you were an actress and I can imagine how exciting and rewarding it must have been. Now I think you should put some of your skills into doing more videos. I love seeing you on video. You could really have some fun with them maybe especially your France one. Just a thought.
Of course you love to write and I know your business is growing in that area. The downside of course is that there are only so many hours in a day so you need to write a book I think to get some leverage. I can see that happening for you – yes?
Thanks for coming here Sylviane and I hope I am going to see you tomorrow.
Sue
Priyanks says
Hi Sue,
I am hooked to your blog. Its actually inspirational and motivational for me. Thanks for sharing wonderful posts.
Sue Price says
Hi Priyanks
I am touched. Thank you for those awesome words. I really appreciate that.
You have a great week.
Sue
Jaime says
Wow, that nice article where a lot of motivation on your part is reflected and let them understand that people should always be overcome before all and find your true passion. Very good article
Sue Price says
Jaime I apologize for not responding to you comment until now. I have not been blogging on this particular blog for sometime now and did not see your comment. It is interesting that many people do not know what they are passionate about. A little sad I think. Thanks Jaime.