my hobby : 'I turned my hobby into a business'

Liz O'Hanlon always felt like a fish out of water at work.

She had a successful career as a recruitment consultant, but felt more at home helping out during weekends in her husband John's pub in London's Clerkenwell.

When the opportunity came up to turn their brewing sideline into a full-scale business, she jumped at the chance.

Seven years later, after countless sleepless nights, rows with the bank manager and a relocation to Devon, she insists she has no regrets.

Although, ask her if she has any advice for people thinking of turning their hobby into a business, and she says "don't go into brewing".

And she is only half-joking.

Passion

Running a small business can be hard enough at the best of times.

But when you are dealing with a product or service you care about passionately, the problems can multiply.

It is difficult to retain the sense of detachment vital for sensible business decisions when all you can really focus on is the quality of the product.

It can also blind you to advice from professionals, especially when they tell you it will never work.

The plus side is that you will be likely to devote even more passion and commitment into making sure you get it right.

By Brian Wheeler