So many moms start with this quiet, persistent thought:
“If I could just turn this thing I love into something that pays…”
Whether it’s baking, sewing, journaling, photography, organizing, or designing — your hobby is more than just a creative outlet. It’s a potential side income waiting to happen.
And no, this doesn’t mean turning your passion into a pressure-packed full-time business. Sometimes, it’s just about finding a way to earn extra income doing something that makes you feel like you again — not just mom, cook, nurse, or chauffeur.
If you’ve been wondering how to turn your favorite hobby into something that earns — without losing the joy of it — the books in this post are here to help. These aren’t hype-filled entrepreneur manifestos. They’re practical, encouraging, and written for real people with limited time and resources.
Let’s look at the best books that show moms exactly how to turn a hobby into income — one small, intentional step at a time.
Why Turning a Hobby Into Income Feels So Right for Moms
Turning a hobby into income can be one of the most sustainable and joyful ways to earn. Here’s why it works especially well for moms:
- You already love it. That’s half the battle — motivation won’t be an issue.
- It fits into your life. You can work on it in the cracks of your schedule.
- It reconnects you with your identity. It’s not just about making money. It’s about remembering what lights you up.
- It’s scalable. Start small. Stay small. Or grow it when you’re ready.
The right book can help you move from hobbyist to earner — without losing your love for the craft.
📘 1. Turning Your Hobby Into a Business by Emma Jones
Best For: Moms who want a simple, step-by-step blueprint
This book walks you through the journey of monetizing any hobby — from baking and crafting to writing and teaching. Emma helps you answer critical questions like:
- Is there a market for this?
- How do I price my work?
- How do I balance passion and profit?
What moms love:
It’s written in plain language, with real-life case studies. There’s no overwhelm, no business jargon — just clear guidance.
📖 Key Insight: You don’t need to turn your hobby into a company overnight. You can test the waters, take small steps, and still succeed.
📘 2. Craft a Life You Love by Amy Tangerine
Best For: Creative moms (scrapbooking, journaling, design, crafting)
This isn’t just a business book — it’s about building a life around your creativity. Amy shares how she turned her love of crafts into a full-time business (with courses, books, and a loyal following).
She helps you:
- Define what success looks like for you
- Explore income possibilities like digital products, workshops, or collaborations
- Protect your joy while still earning
What moms love:
It blends emotional honesty with practical advice — and it encourages you to enjoy the process, not just chase profits.
📘 3. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Best For: Moms who need confidence to share their hobby with the world
While not a business manual, Big Magic helps moms break through fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt — the things that keep your hobby hidden.
If you’ve ever said, “I’m not good enough to charge for this,” this book is for you.
What moms love:
It frees you from needing external validation. You don’t need to be a pro to share what you love — you just need to start.
📖 Key Takeaway: Creativity is worth something — not just emotionally, but sometimes financially too.
📘 4. The Handmade Entrepreneur by Dani Marie
Best For: Crafters, makers, or anyone who loves DIY
Selling handmade goods on Etsy, Shopify, or craft fairs? This book walks you through how to turn your handmade hobby into a steady source of income — without getting burned out or overwhelmed.
You’ll learn:
- How to price for profit
- Where to sell your goods
- How to deal with copycats and competition
What moms love:
It’s like getting advice from a crafty mom friend who’s already been through it — and wants to see you win.
📘 5. Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins
Best For: Writers, musicians, designers, and all creative moms
If you’ve been told your creative hobby “isn’t a real way to earn money,” this book turns that myth upside down. Jeff Goins shows that not only can artists earn — they should.
You’ll learn:
- Why passion and profit aren’t enemies
- How to build credibility while doing what you love
- How to find people who value your work enough to pay for it
What moms love:
Goins blends inspiration with strategy — perfect for moms ready to stop minimizing their talents.
📘 6. Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis
Best For: Moms who want to build something long-term from a creative passion
This book encourages you to own your creativity — and turn it into a life path, not just a side hustle. It covers everything from building confidence to monetizing content, workshops, and ideas.
What moms love:
The book speaks directly to the struggle of feeling like you don’t have time to create. It reminds moms that even small efforts compound — and that your creativity deserves space.
📘 7. Etsy Empire by Eric Michael
Best For: Product-based hobbyists ready to sell on Etsy
Whether you make jewelry, shirts, digital downloads, or stickers, this book gives you the exact steps to:
- Set up a shop
- Get found in search
- Make sales while keeping overhead low
What moms love:
It’s extremely tactical and beginner-friendly. You don’t need a business degree or design experience — just a product you care about.
📘 8. The Art of Work by Jeff Goins
Best For: Moms looking to align their hobby with a greater purpose
This book is all about discovering your “calling” — and turning it into income without betraying your values. It’s ideal if you’ve got a hobby that feels spiritually or emotionally meaningful, like teaching, healing, writing, or advocacy.
What moms love:
It doesn’t pressure you to monetize everything. It teaches you to follow the thread, grow organically, and stay rooted in your why.
📘 9. Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
Best For: Introverted or shy moms who aren’t sure how to promote themselves
You love your hobby — but telling people about it? Asking them to pay you? That’s the hard part.
This book is short, visual, and incredibly encouraging. It teaches you:
- How to share what you’re working on (without bragging)
- How to build a community
- How to be “findable” without being fake
What moms love:
It’s less about selling and more about sharing. And it makes online visibility feel fun, not scary.
📘 10. You Are a Mogul by Tiffany Pham
Best For: Moms ready to take their hobby seriously — without needing outside funding
Tiffany turned her love for women’s empowerment into Mogul, a global platform. Her story is full of examples where hobbies became platforms, platforms became businesses, and all of it was built with grit and intention.
What moms love:
She respects the process. Her message? Start small, grow strategically, and own your worth.
What Kinds of Hobbies Can Become Income?
Here’s a short list of hobbies that moms have successfully turned into income streams — all with help from books like the ones above:
| Hobby | Possible Income Path |
|---|---|
| Journaling | Create guided journals, printable planners |
| Baking | Sell treats locally or teach online workshops |
| Photography | Stock photos, photo sessions, digital presets |
| Writing | Freelance work, blogging, ebooks |
| Crafting | Etsy shop, DIY tutorials, craft fairs |
| Drawing | Custom illustrations, stickers, art prints |
| Organizing | Virtual organizing consultations, printables |
| Sewing/Knitting | Handmade items, digital patterns, classes |
| Gardening | Start a YouTube or blog, sell kits or e-guides |
| Fitness/Yoga | Create workout guides, virtual coaching |
How to Know When It’s Time to Monetize
You don’t have to monetize everything you love. But if you feel pulled to try, here are a few signs it might be time:
- Friends keep asking you to make/sell/do it for them
- You spend time researching how others are selling similar things
- You feel excited (not scared) at the idea of being paid for it
- You’re craving a sense of purpose or extra income
If any of these are true, pick one book from this list. Just one. And take the first step.
Final Thoughts: It Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing
Turning your hobby into income doesn’t mean turning it into a 40-hour-a-week grind. It means finding gentle, joyful ways to let it pay you back — emotionally and financially.
It’s okay if your first goal is just to earn $100. It’s okay if you start with one Etsy listing, one blog post, or one free client. What matters is the shift:
From hobbyist to confident creator.
From unpaid passion to valued skill.
From “just for fun” to “just maybe… this could grow.”
These books exist to help you make that shift — at your pace, with your values, and without pressure.
So go ahead. Start small. Start scrappy. Start scared if you have to. But start.
Your hobby deserves it.
And so do you.
