Almost everyone that I know considers 'work/employment' to be the following:
1. Preparing self [hygiene, meal, clothing] to leave home
2. Leave home [commute]
3. Arrive at 'work/job' and 'clock in' [timeclock, sign-in sheet, etc.]
4. Begin, execute and complete pre-determined task or task sets according to 'job description'
5. Spend pre-set amount of time at 'work/job' [5 days/8-9 hours = 40 hour work week]
6. Leave job and return home or elsewhere along the way [commute]
Far too few people think of earning income doing something that they enjoy personally and/or have a talent/affinity for. The very notion of 'work/employment' almost certainly conjures images of doing something to get a paycheck, usually for someone or some company other than self.
Culture
There is a great paradigm shift taking place, especially among those under the age of 40, in this country and globally regarding making money pursuing passions and dreams.
Technology and the Hip Hop culture has made it possible for a sweeping change and addition to ways of earning income. Via Hip Hop many high paying 'jobs' evolved for dancers, choreographers, dee jays, videographers, singers, rappers, stylists, fashion designers and the list goes on. Just 25 years ago many of these positions didn't even exist and for those that existed in the traditional arts forms of dance, choreographer, music and film the competition was fierce and the opportunities scarce. With the advent of the 'cassette' and 'cd' medium many of todays 'old school' Hip Hop legends were able to create a new genre of entertainment and market it themselves!
As the social network giants, You Tube and My Space, allowed for anyone to broadcast their skills, talents, thoughts and whatever else, many young [and not so young] people took advantage of the medium and 'branded' themselves and were the first to capitalize on the marketing aspect of the digital avenues.
Opportunity
Around the world there exists countless, savvy young entrepreneurs that are focused on their passions and 'work' at fine tuning and sharpening their skill set within those passions. Utilizing the syndication of You Tube, BlackTree Media Productions, airs a series called, "Hobbies & Hustles" that spotlights entrepreneurs that are enjoying highly financially rewarding careers pursuing thier creative passions, aka 'hobbies' and turning them into 'hustles' the new age word for 'job.'
However, not all of us are interested in broadcasting our face or pasttimes all over cyberspace. Then, too, many people are just beginning to have the time or inclination to seriously explore activities that they once enjoyed or have always wanted to engage in. Some even have quiet pursuits that calm the mind or occupy travel/commute time or any number of situations and circumstances wherein there exists an opportunity to quietly [or loudly] do something for the sheer joy that it brings.
Marty and Lisa Waites inherited grapevines from her uncle that passed away 7 years ago. Lisa had often joined her uncle in tending the grapevines in her youth as a way to bond with him and nature. After marrying Lisa, Marty spent some of his free time observing the grape growing/tending process and even helped on occasion. However, upon becoming the caretakers of the vines, Marty has through reading and conversations with established vineyard owners learned a thing or two about growing grapes.
One evening last week, my brother-in-law came in from work and announced that we all were going to a co-worker's home to pick grapes. I'm certain he and my sister are ready for me to develop a more physical social life now that I'm able to walk, do laundry, prepare meals and other normal chores without being incapacitated for 3 to 5 days [all this due to an auto accident last October.]. Naturally, I went for both the ride and the grapes.
The Waites have about 5 to 7 rows that are nearly 15 feet long and 3 feet apart of various types of grapes. Each row consists of 2 to 3 varieties of grapes. Black, blue, red, white, green, etc., all belonging to the Muscadine family, were brimming just under the leaves on all the vines. We were just in time for the harvesting of the next to last bloom of the season.
Marty has learned to make red and white wine from the grapes, yet due to 'revenuer' laws, he isn't licensed to sell the wine. From a 5 gallon plastic 'paint' can he generates about 3 gallons of wine. Generally he bottles 15 to 17 gallons of wine per year and gives as gifts for holidays and such. He gave our family a bottle of white wine that was only 3 weeks 'ready.' My folks say the wine is excellent and only takes "a few sips" to feel it's effect.
Lisa makes jelly from the grapes and other specialties. She also picks, prepares and packages grapes for sale to the public. Usually she advertises in the local paper and Marty let's folk know at the plant that grapes are ready and can either be picked [like we did] or purchased.
Health Is Wealth
The best thing about the Waites' grapes is that their grown without any pesticides or stimulants of any kind! Luscious dark juicy, small white tart and everything in between just the way nature has designed them! The benefit of photosynthesis of the sun's nutrients coupled with the purity of organic growth practices makes this a winner for everyone: Lisa and Marty sell the grapes at $1.50 per gallon zip-lock bag and the consumers of the grapes get a natural food that is cultivated with tradition, respect and love.
If you live in the South Georgia [Valdosta, Thomasville, etc.] or Northwest Florida [Lake City, White Springs or Gainesville] areas give them a call: 386-755-2586. Then take a nice little drive over to their vines and pick-n-eat to your heart's content! Hurry, because the end of the grape harvesting season is the first week of October.
Hobbie = Hustle
The Waites and millions like them have capitalized on a family-style hobbie and enjoy additional income as a result. All of us can look at the things we do really well that we take for granted [since they are relaxing unlike 'work'] and give some thought to 'monetizing' our private passions. Some of us may not generate enough to quit the 'day job' however with a substantial side income retirement FROM the day job can come that much sooner and with a lot less financiall worry!
For the others of us that are ready to quit the 'day job' and take our own earning abilities into hand, consider fine tuning and marketing your hobbie: it could be 'gaming' as in PlayStation or Nintendo and/or even web based games; sewing or crafting; baking or personal meal preparation and the list is endless! I've seen teens that love dogs establish very lucrative dog walking 'hustles' and there are countless young people earning money online with various enterprises -- it's quite the life when you do what you love and are compensated for what you do!
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YE is an author; WebPreneur; electronics, computer & gadget geek; Certified Holistic Health Consultant; grandmother and devoted traveler that currently resides in Georgia. She can be contacted for interviews, consultations and general comments at either of her websites or by email at: yehasmoney4u@s-bgen.com
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