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

I still dont understand why the default is always 'they are just jealous' like what a 12 year old might say, it does not really show much thought, what the OP is doing is great for the OP but I still dont see why people are automotically jealous because they make comments about something, we only have the OPs version of what is going on

Hmm. You don’t do that thing where you downplay your money and complain about the cost of living etc? That’s grating when everyone is managing on less.

You said in your post you have a “very stressful” job. Do your friends get to hear you offload about this? If so they are probably wondering how you have the energy for starting a side hustle given the stress and the lack of any need financially.

Could you not just provide your hobby for the good of humanity? Take out the money side and do it altruistically. Actually you could maybe stick your work on Insta or tik Tok and get some money that way.

Why else wouldn't you support a good friend in what they were doing? One friend has already commented about how many holidays op has been on.

Are they thinking you’ll want to properly commercialise and given that you have a stressful job, you’re putting too much thought into it? Because it’s stopping it being a hobby? I think people are jumping the gun saying they’re jealous/ not good friends!

Well why are you attempting to do it?

I ask that as I'd presume a "a stressful but very (financially) rewarding job" involves a lot of hours and on top of many holidays, where do you get the time for a "hobby" let a long considering making said hobby into a business.

Give the hobby money to charity
I wonder what they'd say then?
PS it really shouldn't matter what they think

Why is it assumed they are jealous?

Now I want to know what you do @Friendlygingercat?!

I’ve said YABU because I don’t think you should be concerning yourself so much with what other people think. If your side hustle is truly a passion project, then external gratification shouldn’t matter.

They sound jealous ignore them.

Maybe because you already have a stressful job then they can't see the point of making more work for yourself? I wouldn't envy someone with a high earning stressful job. My job is stressful at times but mostly fulfilling but I wouldn't add to that stress. Either they can't see your reasoning or are concerned about your wellbeing.

Friend of mine in the legal profession, fell into a hobby which became a passion during maternity leave. She then had another baby, the hobby grew. Her Instagram account flourished people started seeking her out. Now she's hiring a manager to grow the business further. She's very talented much to her surprise and others in the family.

It makes her happy.

Why tell people you've been on so many holidays. It just attracts jealously

If I had a friend in your position, then firstly unless I was also interested in your hobby, I'd probably find it not very interesting.
I'd listen to you a bit on it, but I wouldn't be interested enough for it to be dominating conversation.
For example I know someone who does glass forming. I find it quite interesting when he talks about the basics. If he starts getting excited about the more technical.side I don't know enough for more than the odd remark so it would be a monologue I don't really follow. So pretty boring for me.

I would wonder why it's important for you to make money rather than enjoy doing it. I probably wouldn't say that, but I would feel a bit bemused. If you're just trying to sell off a few things to find the hobby, okay, but it sounds like you're trying to make it a viable business. Realistically that will take a lot of time away from other things, like your hobby, and add an element of pressure. Both of those things, to me, would make the hobby much less interesting.

And lastly, I'd be concerned that you were eyeing up me as someone to buy. If it wasn't something I wanted then I don't want to find a friendship marred by expectation that I would support the business by parting with my money.

So really, whereas I'd be happy if my friend was enjoying it but wouldn't want to hear it to become an issue in our friendship.

Why not just enjoy it as a hobby

You could donate the money you make from your side hustle to your local cat rescue.Then everyone is happy and it’s doing some good.

If they are otherwise good friends it seems likely they just don’t understand your motivation and can’t really put themselves in a place where pursuing a hobby as a business would seem like a good idea. I’m not sure why that’s a big deal unless they have said things you haven’t mentioned that are derogatory in some way. What sort of support were you expecting from them?

Several people on this thread have pointed out common pitfalls of doing so. I’m always hesitant to encourage a friend to go into business unless it’s already their passion and I’d be concerned about you turning something you love into a chore. That doesn’t mean I’d try and stop you, or wouldn’t turn up to your grand opening or something.

I am not sure what is behind this - I would ignore them and do as you want. Do you think they view you as greedy / money obsessed for wanting to monetise your hobby?

Just one thought. If you are very stressed by your work could it be that they wonder why you would reduce your free time further by doing the activity, they dont understand how it actually brings you joy?

Isn't this probably because they think if it's a hobby why does it need to be turned into a business as you have money?

I think they are good friends questioning your motivations @Katee91. My DH wanted to make a small business of a passion of his and I told him to please not do this despite the fact that we don't have close to your income. My reasoning was that he's already stressed about his job and he needs his free time to relax and spend quality time with his family. If his job was a cool one without pressure I would have told him to go for it. But as things are he would only wind up having a burnout or a heart attack.

Grow up and ditch the chip on your shoulder. Jealousy is not a good look

A few yers back my sister once made a snippy remark about my "little" hobby and I sent her a screen shot of my Paypal account. I had made more in a wreek than she had in a month at a full time job. I dont even discuss my financial affairs with my closest relations nowdays. They know I have a side hustle (Im retired) but never ask me about it and I dont enlighten them. They probably think Ive given it up.

I would encourage you to continue with your side hustle if it gives you pleasure. Perhaps keep your progress to yourself and dont discuss it with your friends and family. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

I wish we still had the laugh emoji.

Followed by today’s episode of “snidey jealous poster”…