From Side Hustle To Success: How To Turn Passion Into Profit

Forbes

2 days ago

How to turn that side hustle into your main hustle
For many successful entrepreneurs, the story didn't start with venture capital, business plans, or MBA degrees. It began with a side hustle—something they loved doing in their spare time.
Chaudry Ghafoor's The Masculine Home began as a personal quest to create intentional, stylish spaces for men. Today, it's a recognized design brand that attracts industry attention and paying clients. Courtney Yeager founded The Tox in 2019, beginning with personal wellness practices focused on lymphatic drainage. Now it operates franchise locations across California, New York, Nashville, and Miami, while expanding its product line and serving high-profile clients, including celebrities.
These entrepreneurs prove that your side hustle might be your next big opportunity.
Why Side Hustles Make Better Businesses
Hobbies succeed as businesses because they solve problems you understand personally. Unlike ventures based purely on market research, passion projects come from authentic experience.
When Chaudry curated pieces for The Masculine Home, he wasn't chasing design trends. He was solving his problem and sharing solutions with others who shared his aesthetic needs.
"I started as a full-time real estate agent, and the YouTube channel was meant to grow my real estate business, not become a design channel," Chaudry explains. "My early videos featured luxury home tours, highlighting the design details that inspired me. Viewers connected with my deeper take on how great design makes you feel, rather than just selling a property."
As those videos gained traction, he leaned into the design perspective. "Soon, people across the country were contacting me—not to buy homes, but to design them. One client even flew me to North Carolina to style his Victorian home, saying he couldn't find anyone else with my approach. Two weeks later, I launched my online design service."
Courtney didn't invent wellness trends to chase profits. "I started practicing lymphatic techniques at home, hoping to look better—but what surprised me was how much better I felt," Courtney recalls. "My energy soared, my digestion improved, and I became fascinated by how powerful the body can be when properly supported. From the start, I knew that if these techniques could transform my health, they could also help countless others. That belief became the foundation of everything—sharing something too impactful to keep to myself."
This authenticity creates customer connections that marketing budgets can't buy.
From Side Hustle To Main Hustle
Most entrepreneurs begin their ventures as creative outlets alongside full-time jobs. But consistent effort can transform these projects into career-defining businesses.
For Chaudry, The Masculine Home began as content creation alongside his real estate career. His breakthrough came when market demand became impossible to ignore.
"When I was still operating as a real estate agent, another gentleman contacted me through my realty website and said: 'I know you sell homes and don't have a service to design them, but I was wondering if you might entertain the idea?' He mentioned that he did have a backup plan, but I was his first choice," Chaudry recalls. "I had been receiving messages like this for about 6 months. Opportunity was knocking, but I wasn't answering. After turning down the project, I asked him: 'Out of curiosity... How much did the other designer quote you for the work?' He said something like $2500-3000 per room. That's when I knew, if grown at scale, there could be real potential here."
Courtney began offering one-on-one sessions at home before opening her first studio. Her realization about market demand came through organic conversations with other women.
"I started casually talking about it, and every woman I spoke to was dealing with the same things—persistent bloating, sluggish digestion, and just not feeling or looking their best. It wasn't just about how we felt, it was about how we showed up," Courtney explains. "That's when I realized this wasn't a niche wellness fix—it was something bigger. I knew I had to take it seriously."
Both demonstrate how you can experiment with low risk, build audiences, and grow at your own pace before making significant commitments.
Four Steps To Transform Your Side Hustle
Chaudry began with YouTube content and real estate work before attracting design clients. His breakthrough came when market demand became impossible to ignore through repeated customer inquiries.
Courtney began offering one-on-one sessions at home before opening her first studio. Her realization about market demand came through organic conversations with other women facing similar health challenges.
Your action plan: Choose one specific service or product from your hobby. Set a goal to gain five paying customers or make ten sales within 30 days. Utilize free platforms, such as social media, local community boards, or your existing network. Track your costs, time investment, and customer feedback before deciding on whether to expand.
Both entrepreneurs discovered their services addressed widespread problems in their target markets—Chaudry found that men lacked access to sophisticated interior design. At the same time, Courtney identified that women struggled with wellness issues related to the lymphatic system.
Your action plan: Write down three specific problems your hobby or passion could solve for others. Survey ten potential customers to confirm that these problems exist and that they'd pay for solutions. Create a simple value proposition: 'I help [target customer] solve [specific problem] through [your unique approach].'
Both The Masculine Home and The Tox succeed due to their cohesive and memorable branding. From visual identity to messaging, customers understand precisely what each brand represents.
"We create rooms with character, depth, and presence—spaces that speak for you, without you saying a word," Chaudry explains his brand philosophy. "Masculine interiors reflect the refined tradition of private clubs, historic lounges, and old-world character."
Courtney took a different but equally intentional approach with The Tox. "I wanted The Tox to feel both elevated and approachable. A space where people could connect, feel seen, and belong," she explains. "In a world that's becoming more automated by the day, creating human connection is the real luxury. Our brand is rooted in community, and that's what keeps clients coming back."
Your action plan: Spend one weekend creating your basic brand foundation. Choose 2-3 colors that represent your style. Write a one-sentence description of what you do and who you serve. Create social media accounts with consistent naming and imagery. Design a simple logo using free tools like Canva. Document your brand voice—are you friendly, professional, quirky, or sophisticated?
Neither founder initially relied on large advertising budgets. Happy customers drove much of their early growth through recommendations and social sharing.
Courtney experienced the power of authentic testimonials firsthand. "One client messaged me after her session saying, 'I haven't felt this good in years,' and then she posted about it. Her story took off, and so did we," she recalls. "Social media became the new word of mouth. We weren't running ads or doing heavy marketing; it was all organic. Real results, real people, and a community that grew by sharing what they loved."
Your action Plan: After completing work for each customer, send a follow-up message requesting feedback. If they're satisfied, request a written testimonial and ask if they know anyone else who might benefit from your services. Offer a small incentive—10% off their next purchase or a small thank-you gift—for successful referrals. Create shareable content showcasing your work (with customer permission) for social media.
Why Now Is The Perfect Time For Your Side Hustle
The barriers to starting a business have never been lower. Social media marketing, online marketplaces, and consumer appetite for authentic brands create unprecedented opportunities for passionate entrepreneurs.
People increasingly want to buy from brands that feel personal and genuine rather than faceless corporations. When your business grows from authentic passion, you possess built-in authenticity that no marketing budget can replicate.
Both Chaudry and Courtney started with nothing more than personal interest and a willingness to share it. Today, they operate thriving businesses with loyal customer bases and sustainable income streams.
So whether your interest involves creating beautiful spaces, improving people's health, or something completely different, there's no reason not to explore its business potential. Start with what you have. Stay true to your original inspiration. Your current side hustle or hobby might become tomorrow's primary source of income and personal fulfillment.