Are You Building a Business… or is it Just a Hobby?

Its time to get real!

Is this thing you’re building actually a business… or is it just a hobby?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a hobby. Hobbies bring joy, creativity, and freedom. But if your goal is income,, or long-term growth, it’s important to know which lane you’re in.

 Let’s Talk About the Difference.

A Hobby:

• You avoid the boring stuff (admin, numbers, strategy).

• You undercharge… or don’t charge at all.

• You say, “I’ll figure it out later.”

• You invest randomly without a clear return plan.

• You hesitate to promote yourself because it feels “salesy.”

• You take feedback personally instead of using it to improve.

A Business:

• You show up consistently.

• You track numbers.

• You think about growth.

• You make decisions based on sustainability, not just emotions and trends.

• You have clear offers and know exactly what problem you solve.

• You market intentionally  even when it feels uncomfortable.

• You review, refine, and adjust based on data, not just vibes.

One feels comfortable. The other feels intentional.

From being part of different communities and having conversations with all kinds of techs, I’ve started to notice something surprising and honestly, a little concerning. A lot of people say they’re building a business, but when you look closer, they’re operating more like hobbyists. There’s passion and talent, yes. But there’s no structure, no clear pricing strategy, no consistent marketing, and no real growth plan. It’s not a lack of potential, it's a lack of intentionality. And that gap is exactly why so many “nail techs ” struggle to generate real income and deal with burn out.

The Honest Truth So many people will tell you the first step is to price your service; but I’m going to challenge that. Don’t start there. Pricing without a plan is just guessing. Before you decide what to charge, you need a clear business plan. 

• Who is your targeted clientele ?

• What are your business goals?

• What makes you different from everyone else in your industry?

• What are your startup and monthly costs?

• What's your Marketing Strategy What’s your Vision and Growth Strategy ?

• What income do you actually need this business to generate? Without that foundation, you’re just a lost ship wandering the ocean with no direction. A solid business plan gives your pricing purpose, confidence, and strategy. It helps you stop copying what others charge and start charging based on value, vision, and sustainability. Whether you're a nail technician, content creator, or salon owner, a good plan will set you on a clear, intentional path not just motion, but real movement.

  
  

Now that You have a plan. Let’s Talk About Pricing  If there’s one area that reveals whether you’re building a hobby or a business, it’s pricing.

Pricing is where the mind meets maths.

Here are some honest pricing questions to ask yourself :

• Did I choose my price based on confidence… or fear?

• Am I charging what feels “safe” or what reflects my value?

• Do I know my costs?

• If I sold 10 of this, would I actually make a profit?

Thoughts to avoid 

• “I’ll just charge something small.”

• “I don’t want to scare people away.”

• “I’m still new.”
  

You are not “too new” to price properly. You are building something and building requires sustainability. As a beginner nail technician my prices started off reflecting my business expenses.

Here's how to  price a nail service correctly, 

Step 1: Calculate Your Costs per Client Include everything you use: products (gel, acrylic, files), all disposables, a portion of rent, utilities, booking fees, and card fees.

Step 2: Decide Your Hourly Wage How much do you want to earn per hour? Multiply it by the time the service takes.

Step 3: Add Costs + Wage This gives you your baseline price  the minimum you need to break even.

Step 4: Add Profit Margin Add 10–20% (or what makes sense) to reinvest in your business, marketing, or tools.

Step 5: Include Holiday & Sick Pay Estimate how many weeks a year you won’t work and spread that cost across your services so time off doesn’t cost you money.

Step 6: Check Market Positioning Look at competitors in your area for context  not to copy, but to see where your service fits.

Step 7: Test & Adjust If you’re fully booked, you may be undercharging. If you’re not getting clients  check marketing first, not price immediately but ensure you prices isn't above your area. .

Your pricing doesn’t just cover today’s appointment but supports you year-round.

Hobbies Cost. Businesses Generate.

A hobby consumes money. A business is designed to generate money.

Now, that doesn’t mean instant profit. But it does mean:

• You understand your expenses.

• You track income.

• You know your revenue goal.

• You’ve thought through how the business  grows.

If you’re spending on branding, software, websites, photos, materials  but avoiding sales conversations  that’s hobby behaviour.

If you’re learning about offers, refining messaging, and confidently presenting your price  that’s business behaviour.

Another detrimental trap many nail techs  fall into is following every shiny shopping trend or buying unnecessary products and training. Just because a new nail kit, lamp, or course is “trending” doesn’t mean you need it right now. For example, completing an expensive training that doesn’t appeal to your clientele without a clear plan to offer new services or raise your prices. Similarly, investing in excessively luxurious items when your area serves a lower-income demographic can waste money without attracting any new audience. Every purchase should have a purpose either it helps you serve clients better, improves efficiency, or directly contributes to revenue. This is why market research is vital. Mindless spending on tools, materials, or courses without a plan is a hobbyist move: it feels productive but doesn’t move your business forward. A true business focuses on strategic investments, not impulse buys, ensuring every expense brings you closer to  business growth.

The Identity Shift

Now that I have you thinking about your actions, this might be the biggest difference of all: changing your mindset.

This shift changes how you:

• Spend your time

• Invest your money

• Price your services

• Talk about what you do

• Show up online

Developing a business mindset means seeing yourself as the CEO of your work, not just a creative or service provider. It’s about making decisions strategically, setting goals, and holding yourself accountable. To achieve this:

• Schedule time to do the boring things.

• Track income, expenses, and growth consistently.

• Educate yourself intentionally  not on every new trend, but on skills and tools that directly support your business.

• Surround yourself with people who inspire, challenge, and support your growth.

When you operate with a business mindset, every choice from pricing to marketing to continuing education  becomes purposeful, building your confidence,, and long-term success.

So ask yourself honestly:

Am I creating casually? Or am I building intentionally?

If you want income, freedom, flexibility, or impact, treat what you’re building like a business.

You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have to decide.

Because what you nurture this spring… is what you’ll harvest later this year.