Professionals turn hobbies into business

PUNE: Twenty-eight year-old Aashima Thakuria is not just a graphic designer of an advertising agency. From 10am to 7pm she deals with clients and comes up with designs but away from work she dons a baker’s hat.
An expert baker, who takes her cakes and desserts very seriously, she has her own Facebook page from where she connects with people who want to order cakes that are a little different.
“I have always loved baking. A few years back, I also did a short-term baking course when I had gone abroad to meet my relatives. I thought why not put my creativity to good use,” she says.
Aashima is not alone in following her heart. Professionals today are so taken up with the stress of everyday routine that they look for ways to de-stress. What better way than to turn your hobby into a vocation.
Noel Thomas, a software engineer in his late 20s, spends a good part of his day hunched up in front of his monitor, but that’s not what drives him. “I love photography. I bought my first camera on a personal bank loan. Now, I take up assignments during weekends. These assignments give me the creative independence I seek and I also get appreciated for doing something I love,” he says.
For Prasad Mankar, a doctor by profession, cooking is a passion. “Throughout the week I’m dealing with diseases. Sometimes it really bogs me down.” This 44-year-old has a standing rule - no patients on weekends. On Saturday, this doctor visits the wholesale vegetable yard and the fishmongers as early as 5am. He comes home with his car boot overflowing with fresh produce and catch.
“I cook for friends and family mostly. I charge a nominal amount for the services. I don’t advertise it’s mostly word-of-mouth. I admit I’m not an exotic chef, but I do manage to make a decent Maharashtrian spread and some Konkani ad Goan specialty thrown in. I really look forward to my weekends and wouldn’t trade them for the world,” he smiles.
Namrata Mohan is a banker by profession. Post 8pm, Namrata is mostly found in her studio giving Salsa lessons. Her younger sister, Priyanka, works as a freelance public relations professional, uses a part of the same studio to give guitar lessons.
“It is a wonderful feeling to be able to do something you love. We know it would be financially difficult to simply sustain on dance and music lessons, hence a proper profession is important. It gives us the luxury to chase our dreams,” they say.
Most of Rupali Shirodkar’s time is taken up dealing with the little pupils at an international school where she teaches. “After dealing with children throughout the week, I sure need some de-stressing.” On weekends, this kindergarten teacher in her 30s gives yoga lessons in her society garden.
But her love for kids is a given, and so she often takes up event management for birthday parties of children. “From planning the venue, the theme, the food, the dress code, it is all my baby. I take inputs from the kids on the things they want,” she says.
All these entrepreneurs agree that it is the search for that elusive pleasure combined with creative satisfaction and a healthy dollop of genuine appreciation is what gets them going.
As Priyanka says, “Nothing is impossible if only you have the passion. All the back-breaking effort is just a small payment that will help you reap rich dividends.”