Does Starting a Business Based on a Hobby Make You Happier? Here’s What Research Says.

Have you ever dreamed of starting a business based on your favorite activity? If you think starting a business based on your passion will make you happier, you may want to consider it carefully. A recent study suggests that delving into a hobby-oriented career may bring fulfillment, but it might not be for everyone.

In the study, published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing, researchers examined the experiences of snow sport instructors in New Zealand, Japan, and Canada over 10.5 years. The instructors left conventional jobs, which they considered mundane, to pursue careers that they considered more meaningful and fulfilling.

The instructors traveled around the world for work from winter to winter with no summer breaks in between. Many found that turning their skiing hobby into a career came with many challenges, including undergoing extensive training, traveling with limited possessions, and financial insecurity, with some earning only enough money to support their lifestyles.

Still, most of the study’s participants reported “experiencing significant personal growth and fulfillment” despite their sacrifices, researchers said. But the lifestyle wasn’t for everyone — some returned to traditional jobs once they felt they had nothing left to gain from their snow sports career, or that the career wasn’t sustainable.

What to know about workers’ new priorities

While quitting a steady job to travel the world to ski isn’t feasible for everyone, the research highlights recent trends that organizations should pay attention to, including workers’ desires for more flexibility, meaningful experiences, and work-life balance.

About a third of workers prefer working remotely, and 60% prefer hybrid roles, according to a recent Gallup report. Fully remote workers were more likely to be engaged at work, but they also showed higher instances of anger, sadness, and loneliness than hybrid or in-office workers, according to Gallup’s most recent “State of the Global Workplace” report.

Meaningful work is important for employees, and many people rate meaningfulness higher than pay, benefits, opportunities for advancement, and work culture, according to an MIT Sloan Management Review report. Meaningful work also improved performance, commitment, and satisfaction. However, taking employees for granted, giving them pointless tasks, not giving them a voice, and not fostering connections eroded people’s sense of purpose in their roles.

According to Randstad’s recent Work monitor report, 83% of workers considered work-life balance to be their chief motivator, more so than pay. Workers prioritize personalization, community, and upskilling for the future. If their expectations weren’t met, 45% said they have tried to improve their conditions at work, and 44% quit their jobs because their workplaces were toxic.

More and more, workers’ priorities are shifting, and that’s something organizations must consider to retain them. Enabling flexibility and balance and helping workers find meaning at work will help improve engagement, happiness, and productivity.

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

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