Friends judging my side business because I’m a high earner

Could it be that you’re not as talented as you think and your business will be a flop and they’re trying to save your embarrassment? Are you going to be painting and selling amateur pet portraits or something equally as hideous?!

If you're already really stressed, they might just be concerned that setting up an additional venture would be ever more stressful.

Or maybe they are worried they'd be expected to buy your cakes, sweetie cones, 'world's best teacher' water bottles!

It's just a sad cultural thing where everything you do must, in many people's head, be motivated by money.

What degree someone is doing is for many determined by job prospects/ salaries. Money seems to come into dating big-time, e.g. obvs one should choose the guy with the most money. So I feel like your friends might be this sort of people, that think you're taking on an additional commitment to make more money, not understanding that you can do something for love and fulfilment as well.

Just ignore them, IME friends, unless they are in the same industry, have never been particularly good at understanding work projects, and probably best to just keeo it light and social with them. If you are looking for support and someone that gets it, look to other people in the same industry.

Personal growth is normal and the fact that you have a comfortable salary shouldn't be an excuse to stop growing, develping and chasing dreams. Money's not the end goal, it's a by-product.

They are jealous of your motivation and drive, it makes them feel bad about themselves, don’t let them get to you

It is an interesting question - as a PP said, why monetise it rather than just enjoy it?

Some people do enjoy business for itself though. Maybe that's OP?

I worked with a woman who was comparatively well-off and owned a big house with land. She used to bring eggs and apples and stuff into the office but wanted money for them. Meanwhile, everyone else, with their bog-standard gardens, if they had surplus fruit or veg, would just give them to friends and neighbours and colleagues for free.

Sometimes, people can just come across as a bit grabby.

I think the point about enjoying your passion for what it is is a valid one.

If you really dont need the money, why bother putting yourself through the stress of trying to run it as a business? There will be times when its a chore that you have to do as you have an order, and thats when you will stop loving it and start being half arsed about it just to get the job done.

Also, if its handicrafts, cake baking or art, dont bother. It really wont make you any money!

One of the best pieces of advice I was given was, 'Don't tell your friends or family in depth if you are starting a micro business/side hustle, because they are viewing you from a different place.' You are never going to get the validation/interest/response that you need. Your friends might applaud your efforts in 5 years' time when you are a roaring success. 😁Good places for you now would be the likes of Facebook groups where you can share your interests, even small business groups. If there is a small business group in your local area, even if you are just at the idea stage, it would be worth your while seeing what they are about. You would be delighted by the support and meeting of minds there. Let us know how you get on with your venture. Best of luck and enjoy the journey! x

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I totally understand your point but don’t you think it’s a real shame that anyone feels they need to be able to sell something to feel validated that they are good at it?

Feels like if you don’t need the money then why put that sort of pressure on yourself to make money for something you love to do. Makes me sad to think of people that feel that ultimately the value in it is linked to the money someone else is willing to spend on it.

I think they’re feeling pressured to buy whatever you’ll be selling as part of your side hustle OP

Are you someone who often says how tired and busy you are? I’m not being mean- I am always exhausted and moaning to friends. If I told them I was doing a side business, even if it was something I enjoyed they would react similarly. Not because they are jealous or not good friends but because they know I’m already stretched.

More or less all of them have questioned why I need to do this as they don’t feel I need the money.

Then they're probably really kindly and subtly trying to let you know that as much as you enjoy it, you're going to make diddly squat out of it.

Or that they don't think you're cut out to be a business woman.

And considering you're so upset with them, they may have a point.

You'll have to toughen up or forget it.

Yeah, no its not, it so rarely is jealousy.

The most pointless thread to start ever and such an obvious humble brag.

It’s anonymous. Hardly much of a brag. I could say I’m sitting on £10 million due to inventing something. I mean I’m not and haven’t, but who’s to know?

Anyway society thinks it’s ok to hate the rich. Without realising that hefty net contributors like op and her DH are the ones paying ££££££ in taxes and keeping the country just about afloat.

I don't believe there's a single person on here who is earning £100k+. The levels of stupid on here is so high that anyone who had the intellect to earn that kind of money would have far better things to do.

What is it
enjoy it !

I've said YABU because why do you care? So they don't get it. To be honest, a lot of people wouldn't get it. I'd probably think the same if a friend was in the same position to be quite honest. But that doesn't matter, all that matters is you. You'll either prove them right or you'll prove them wrong. Just get on with it and don't waste time being upset about their opinions.

No. People who SAY they are high earners are ten a penny!

As others have said, humblebrag. 🙄

I'd see it more as being concerned about how you are spending your time and maintaining a work/life balance. it is unusual for people to work 2 jobs if they have sufficient income to live comfortably. Most people would instead just focus on enjoying their hobbies and volunteering if they felt a need for something else in their life.

Maybe they are concerned that you or DH might be about to lose your job or you are planning to divorce.

All you can do is thank them for your concern and ignore.

Does this monetised hobby involve your friends purchasing or attending things? If not can’t see their issue

I was just about to write a very similar thing! Some people do this, maybe without really noticing.

I might wonder why a very wealthy friend would want to monetise a hobby. If you don't need more money, why not just do it because you enjoy it? That's not a judgemental remark, it's genuine puzzlement. I would think the added hassle of monetising would take away from the enjoyment.

I think it’s a legitimate question. I trained as a yoga teacher and started teaching but quickly decided it was way too much hassle for the £ and I’d rather just do yoga for myself and focus on my growing my lucrative career for money. I wish someone had pointed this out to me before I’d done the teacher training.