6/17/25
TED Talk Tuesday: Stop Calling Yourself Just a Hobbyist
Spoiler: You’re building more than just crafts. You’re building something real.
Let’s have a little heart-to-heart.
How many times have you caught yourself saying:
“Oh, it’s just a little side thing”?
Or “It’s just a hobby right now”…
Or worse—“I just make stuff for fun.”
Does that hit close to home?
We’ve all done it. We shrink ourselves down in conversations. We play it small to avoid judgment, deflect compliments, and downplay the significance of our work. We might even say “meh, it’s nothing serious” when someone gives us a compliment.
But let’s set the record straight:
If you are:
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Creating products
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Listing them for sale
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Showing up on social media to market them
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Communicating with customers
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Managing orders
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Organizing supplies
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Budgeting expenses
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Shipping out physical items
Guess what?
That is NOT a hobby.
That’s NOT “just for fun.”
That is a business, baby. Whether it’s part-time, full-time, or somewhere in between, you’re running a business.
Let’s Ditch the “Just” Altogether
Words have weight.
When you call yourself “just” a hobbyist, you send a message—to yourself and to the world—that what you do isn’t legitimate. That your time doesn’t count. That your work can be replaced or undervalued.
But here's the truth: You are the real deal.
You’re building something from the ground up. You might be doing this while raising a family, working another job, navigating chronic illness, or squeezing in creativity around school pick-ups. You’re balancing passion with logistics, creativity with profit, and art with admin.
That’s not “just a hobby.”
That’s a juggling act worthy of both applause and a nap.
But I Don’t Make a Full-Time Income…
No problem. That doesn’t change a thing.
If making money was the only requirement for being a business, then most startups wouldn’t be considered businesses at all. The reality is: Profit isn’t the sole indicator of legitimacy.
What matters more are things like:
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Consistency
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Intent
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Growth
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Learning
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Effort
And you’ve got those in spades.
Why This Matters (Beyond Ego)
When you downplay what you do, you inadvertently give permission for others to do the same.
Here’s what follows:
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“Can I get a discount? It’s just a small shop, right?”
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“Can you rush that order? I thought you didn’t have many customers.”
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“I could probably make this myself…”
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“Oh, you're one of those craft moms, huh?”
How you talk about your business sets the tone for how others treat you and your work.
When you start talking about your shop like it's a real business, other people will start to listen.
When you set clear boundaries, customers will start to respect them.
When you show up like the boss you are—even if you’re in pajama pants—it shifts the entire energy.
So, What Should You Say Instead?
Ditch the “just” and speak with confidence:
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“I run a small business.”
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“I own an online shop.”
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“I make custom shirts, tumblers, decals, digital designs.”
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“I help people bring their ideas to life with personalized gifts.”
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“I own a creative brand—and yes, we’re growing.”
You don’t need fancy language. You just need to sound sure of yourself.
You are a business owner, even if:
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Your workshop is your kitchen table.
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You take payments through PayPal.
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You’re still figuring out Canva.
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You’re only open on weekends.
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You’re still building your audience.
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You’re learning as you go.
All of that still counts.
Final Reminder?
You are NOT “just” anything.
You are a maker. A creator. A problem-solver. A business builder.
You are doing something brave by putting your work out there, charging money for it, and showing up even when it’s hard. You’re not just “trying something.” You are building something real.
So own it. Speak it. Walk in it.
Your business might be small, but your impact isn’t.
And every great business started where you are—messy, unsure, and “just trying something.”
You’re not just a hobbyist.
You’re a force in the making.
Act like it.