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

[Katee91]

I work a stressful but very (financially) rewarding job - comfortably 6 figures with generous bonuses. My DH out earns me and I know we are very fortunate in that respect.

I’m attempting to turn a hobby/passion into a small side business and have spoken to various friends about it.

More or less all of them have questioned why I need to do this as they don’t feel I need the money. That isn’t the motivating factor though, it’s for enjoyment and linked to my passion.

AIBU to feel a bit upset at their outlook with this? Even after I explain my reasons they still turn it back to money.

I don’t think it’s jealousy as my DH suggested, but I just feel a bit deflated and that my friends should be supporting me..

I can comment on the OP going to the dentist does not mean I am jealous of it

What’s the side hustle OP???

I imagine for a lot of people money would factor hugely into this decision to do a side hustle, so they probably just can't relate.
It's that simple. Don't overthink it.

Depends on the side hustle, I guess

If you were a runner offering coaching, I'd understand that you wanted to share the joy of running

If you were making cupcakes to sell, id wonder why you bother when it seems that for most people, it's a lot of effort for small reward

And if you're high earners I might think pity you're trying to make money out of your hobby, rather than volunteering your serviced somewhere

If you know what your values are and doing you side hustle would make you feel good, then ignore those comments from your friends. If it’s more about having a satisfying fun hobby, then do you need to make money with it? It is irrelevant how much you earn with your main job and no-one else’s business. Only you know why and how you want to do your hobby. Good luck!

Perhaps your friends think you’re going to expect them to buy stuff from you. Perhaps you’re obsessing about your business idea and they’re bored of listening to you about it. Maybe you should just do it, not talk about it and leave your friends out of it completely. Do they need to know or be involved?

I think we both know that’s a terrible comparison.

I don't know. I would find strange someone wanting to turn a hobby into a job when there is no financial need, I did with photography a few years ago and it is the best way to spoil a nice hobby. Maybe it is that? But do it if you want to, who cares what they think?
I think as your friend I would think that you are very money focused

As PP said, turning a hobby into a job or business is the best way to spoil it. Perhaps your friends are wondering why you want to turn your hobby into a side hustle (which is usually started to make more money) instead of just doing the hobby for enjoyment. Unless it’s something like a service that you can’t really do without charging

I don't understand commercialising a hobby unless you need the money. It adds a whole layer of work onto something that should be fun, for very little reward.

Also, "they're just jealous" is something our mums tell us when we're six.

It probably makes your friends feel insecure- you already have a high earning job and now you’re doing even more.

However, you don’t need their approval. Go for it OP! You want to do it? Do it.

Exactly this

It probably makes them feel baffled, given that her job is stressful and she’s in no need of money. Why monetise a presumably relaxing hobby?

Why would you feel insecure over your friend starting a side business? This thread is so weird.

OP it doesn't really matter what your friends think. I turned a passion into a business and I love what I do. It is very far removed from my training and career, but I really enjoy what I do. It is quite profitable though, and my profit equates to what I would be earning if I had followed my career path.
My business is a bit of a secret in my family though- I know my sister and her family would judge me severely. I dont broadcast what I do to those who would judge me.

One of my siblings us always trying to turn hobbies into a side hustle. Often successfully, but then they lose interest.

I actually feel its a bit like thier own self worth is so tied up in financial reward that they cant do something just for pleasure. Like all thier time has to be financially productive. Which I understand if you need money, but less so if you are stable.

But that said if its painting or writing or something like that, I can see why you'd want to share your stuff with a wider audience and cover the cost of materials/time..

I am a single mum with 2 kids with adhd im a nurse and earn around 40k and obviously other top ups etc. Own my own home. Since my divorce this year ive been to italy x2 on cheapish breaks. Ive been on a caravan holiday with family and i am taking my kids to paris and disney in the next couple of months. I am judged as well on my breaks. I cant understand people and why people judge. Its put me of telling anyone anything as it makes me feel guilty. But people spend their money on things they enjoy. Whether thats shopping drink drugs trips. I spend mine on trips and get flustered when im judged. Set the buisness up sod what anyone thinks lifes for living

It's fish again isn't it......

It's possibly your friends just projecting how tired they feel at the thought of taking on a second job.
You work hard, earn heaps so why would you need to exhaust yourself further.
Their mind set is not of jealousy but rather care for you.

Is your hobby one where you need your friends to be actively supportive for the new business to take off?

You don't need their affirmation anyway, do you?
You said you were passionate about the hobby so it will seem like play hopefully.

If you needed a proof…..

This. The two reasons I would be wondering why you would want to turn a hobby into a business is a) if you talk about being stressed or tired or busy all the time or b) if your kids are a bit anxious or have additional issues going on.

I’d wonder if it was the best use of your energy.

I hate friends that have ‘side hustles’ which are actually MLM’s that mean they try to gouge their friends to buy their tat. So if it’s something that relies on your friends being your focus of business then I don’t blame them.

I think that pointing out to a friend who, by their own admission, is in a stressful job, that investing lots of time to start up a new business and run the risk of growing to hate a hobby that they currently enjoy - when they don't actually need the money - is actually pretty supportive. Saying "oh yes, what a wonderful idea" i.e. mindlessly validating is not always supportive.

Telling other people they must be jealous as a default reaction rather than thinking about why they are saying what they are, is a pretty lazy response.

(And if OP is thinking of making homemade chutneys, can I confirm that your friends don't want to buy a pot of your new recipe every month, especially when you are selling at inflated prices, and maybe they have just been being polite about how wonderful they are).

I dont understand how you can say money "Isn’t the motivating factor though, it’s for enjoyment and linked to my passion."

Of course money is the motivating factor, otherwise you'd just keep doing it as a hobby. If you didn't want to to make at least some money from it you wouldn't bother turning it into a business with all the work and stress that involves. Perhaps they're just calling you out on your hypocrisy?