From Hobby to Business: My Journey Toward Profit
by Leah Wilkerson
Can I be honest? Numbers make me nervous!
I’d rather spend hours in the studio painting, dreaming up a new collection, or brainstorming ways for Women 4 Women to help women connect, collaborate, and build relationships that make us all more successful than sit down with spreadsheets. But the truth is, avoiding money doesn’t make it less important — it just leaves me in the dark. And lately, I’ve realized: I don’t want to run my creative business in the dark.
And here’s the harder truth: for more than 15 years, my “business” has really been more of a hobby.
A hobby is something you do because you love it, whether or not it makes money. A business, though, is about doing what you love and making money. That’s the shift I’m making now — moving from hobby to business, and learning how to create a profitable small business as a creative entrepreneur.
That realization stung. I’ve poured my heart into creating, selling at shows, and building community, but I wasn’t consistently thinking about profitability. I was focused on what I loved to make, not on how to manage cash flow or pay myself as a business owner.
Here’s Where I Am
I’m shifting my mindset. I still love the creative side, but I know now that if I want this to last, I need to think like a business owner. That means:
Paying attention to small business finances, even when I’d rather avoid them.
Setting aside profit first instead of hoping there’s something left over.
Celebrating the satisfaction of paying myself — because that’s what makes this a real business.
What I’m Beginning to Try
I’m not an expert in financial planning. I’m learning in real time, and I’d love for you to come along with me as I try:
Profit First Method → flipping the old formula and putting profit aside before expenses. Even starting with just 1–5% makes a difference. Check out this book by Mike Michalowicz, Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine (Entrepreneurship Simplified)
Weekly Money Dates → short check-ins with my finances so tax season isn’t overwhelming.
Trimming Expenses → canceling subscriptions and cutting the things I don’t use to improve cash flow.
Paying Myself Consistently → not waiting for “someday,” but recognizing the value of my work now.
Why Now
September feels like the right time to begin. Q4 is the busiest season of the year for creative businesses — and it can also be the most profitable. Instead of stumbling through the holidays and hoping it all works out, I want to step in with clarity, focus, and a plan for Q4 financial success.
Join Me
I don’t have it all figured out. I’m learning, trying, and sometimes fumbling. But I believe that by sharing this journey — honestly — we can encourage one another to move from hobby to profitable business.
So here’s my invitation: come along with me. Let’s figure out how to make this Q4 not just busy, but profitable — so we can step into the new year with confidence, clarity, and money in the bank.
💬 Let’s Talk
Have you ever thought about whether your work is more of a hobby or a business?
What’s one small step you’ve taken (or want to take) to feel more confident with your finances?
How do you balance the joy of creating with the reality of needing your business to be profitable?
