A business or a hobby?
Moderators: Mr Awesomer, JesseMiner, CafeSavoy
A business or a hobby?
I'm not sure if I'm initiating this in the right section, but here it goes...
Do you think of your work as a DJ and the time you dedicate to it as a "hobby" or a "business"? Or do you currently have a part-time or full-time DJ business? Have you ever thought about turning your "hobby" into a "business"?
Would like to hear some of the pros and cons of the issue, or at the very least some funny anecdotes.
Please discuss. Thanks for your input in advance.
Tina
Do you think of your work as a DJ and the time you dedicate to it as a "hobby" or a "business"? Or do you currently have a part-time or full-time DJ business? Have you ever thought about turning your "hobby" into a "business"?
Would like to hear some of the pros and cons of the issue, or at the very least some funny anecdotes.
Please discuss. Thanks for your input in advance.
Tina
"I'm here to kick a little DJ a$$!"
~ Foreman on That 70s Show
~ Foreman on That 70s Show
- lindyholic
- Posts: 215
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It's a hobby, if it were a business, A) I may not enjoy B) it's pretty damn hard to make a business off of DJing swing music.
Harrison
Harrison
www.lindyhopper.ca, Canada's Swing Site.
- JesseMiner
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I think of my DJing as both a business and a hobby. It's my passion, and it's currently my full-time work (has been for quite some time). I believe there is nothing better than doing what you love.
I have never understood the thinking that just because you do something for work that you will then cease to love doing it.
Jesse
I have never understood the thinking that just because you do something for work that you will then cease to love doing it.
Jesse
I understand what you are saying, and there is not a necessary connection. But the problem is burnout: too much of a good thing. I completely understand it. That's why it is also good to NOT work with your spouse/girlfriend.JesseMiner wrote: I have never understood the thinking that just because you do something for work that you will then cease to love doing it.
Mine is somewhat a hobby business: not my profession. "Hobby business" is not just a way of evading the question; it is actually a term defined by the IRS.
I've been spending so much money on dancing and CDs, that I'd really like to get my dancing/DJing to the point where they could support themselves. I'd consider leading workshops, and also DJing - both for money - as long as I'd still enjoy it. If not swing, then I have better ways to make a living.
I would say hobby. I sometimes get payed but most of the times I'm djing are at events where I'm one of the organizers (and then always for free).
The ultimate european swing site!
www.heptown.com
www.heptown.com
Cute. You're not serious, though, are you? I'm so gullible...Lawrence wrote:
Mine is somewhat a hobby business: not my profession. "Hobby business" is not just a way of evading the question; it is actually a term defined by the IRS.
Tina
Edited to ask silly question.
"I'm here to kick a little DJ a$$!"
~ Foreman on That 70s Show
~ Foreman on That 70s Show
Thanks for all the responses...
I guess the reason I'm asking is that I'm just starting out with this. I don't have nearly the experience, knowledge and the know-how as the majority of the folks here on this forum. It's a little daunting... a lot of the conversations go over my head.
But it hasn't quenched my thirst to learn, or to DJ, or to get really good at it. I'm looking at the amounts of money and time spent on this by the people here and it compels me to make the way I operate more "business-like". But I think I'm a lot like Jesse in the sense that I would rather do something for a living that I enjoy. So here I am.
Keep the responses coming... if only so I can goof off at work.
Tina
I guess the reason I'm asking is that I'm just starting out with this. I don't have nearly the experience, knowledge and the know-how as the majority of the folks here on this forum. It's a little daunting... a lot of the conversations go over my head.
But it hasn't quenched my thirst to learn, or to DJ, or to get really good at it. I'm looking at the amounts of money and time spent on this by the people here and it compels me to make the way I operate more "business-like". But I think I'm a lot like Jesse in the sense that I would rather do something for a living that I enjoy. So here I am.
Keep the responses coming... if only so I can goof off at work.
Tina
"I'm here to kick a little DJ a$$!"
~ Foreman on That 70s Show
~ Foreman on That 70s Show
Actually, sadly enough, it really is a term defined by the IRS. Hobby businesses are defined (I think) as businesses that are not profitable for three out of the past five years: the reasoning being that no business would operate at a loss for three out of the past five years unless it is a part of the owner's hobby, in which case all the tax incentives, deductions, and breaks for businesses do not apply. In fact, I think that some of the IRS examples in their opinion letters use dance instructors as illustrations on the concept.gatorgal wrote:Cute. You're not serious, though, are you? I'm so gullible...Lawrence wrote: Mine is somewhat a hobby business: not my profession. "Hobby business" is not just a way of evading the question; it is actually a term defined by the IRS.
The hobby business presumption is something that DJs should be aware of if they are deducting the cost of CDs and travel as a part of their "DJ business." Same thing for instructors who routinely spend more on travel than they earn teaching. Three unprofitable years out of the past five raises a rebuttable presumption that it is a hobby business, which is a double whammy: you need to report all income but cannot deduct any expenses.
See http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4875.asp for more details.
- Shanabanana
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I already have a job. Actually, a career.
Swing is a hobby that is just about self-sustaining for me. But that also means that I work at least 2, sometimes 3 nights per week at it. I enjoy it, but I want to keep it closer to the level that I can back out if it's not fun anymore. If I depended on the income, I wouldn't be able to do that.
Swing is a hobby that is just about self-sustaining for me. But that also means that I work at least 2, sometimes 3 nights per week at it. I enjoy it, but I want to keep it closer to the level that I can back out if it's not fun anymore. If I depended on the income, I wouldn't be able to do that.
- lindyholic
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Wed Nov 20, 2002 2:51 pm
- Location: Victoria, B.C., Canada
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Dancing and DJing is pretty much a job now though for me, I teach, I DJ, I help run the Non-Profit Organization....I do it all on a volunteer basis though, cept I get paid 15$ an hour for teaching. It pretty much is a job for me outside of school, but because I do most of it on a volunteer basis it keeps it more hobby then actual business which is good because you get to see the fruits of your labour as your scene grows and such.
Harrison
Harrison
www.lindyhopper.ca, Canada's Swing Site.