6 Tips for Turning Your Side Hustle into a Career (from Someone Who’s Done It)

Line chef turned entrepreneur Ellen Marie Bennett noticed that pro chef aprons were poor quality, so she launched her company while still working as a line cook, hustling the heck out of whatever connections (and farmers’ market stalls) she could arrange. That was years ago. Today she’s not only got a factory (plus aprons on the staff of the best restaurants in town); she’s evangelizing the merits of small business ownership. Not convinced that your nights-and-weekends business is ever going to be more than a hobby? Here's some inspiration.

If you can dream it, you can do it

Bennett has this motto painted on Hedley & Bennett’s apron factory wall as a reminder for everyone on her team. But the business owner advises that planning needs to happen, too. Start by writing down your dream, think about what you want it to be and where you want it to go. Make to-do lists. That's how dreams become realities.

Intern, apprentice and soak up all you can

It's so important to roll up your sleeves and get dirty, in whatever field you're interested in, before you commit your career to it. Being in the proximity of someone brilliant and learning everything you can is the best way to determine if you're on the right path before fully diving in.

Be your own cheerleader

Don't wait for anyone to encourage you. You have to be your own cheer squad and believe in yourself.

Give yourself deadlines 

When you become an entrepreneur, you're your own boss. You need to keep yourself accountable, so set deadlines and stick to them.