4 Ways a Hobby Can Boost Your Entrepreneurial Efforts Student entrepreneur Will Caldwell on the importance of finding passion outside of your startup.

By Will Caldwell Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

miamikiteboarding.com/

I would not be the person I am today without the sport of kiteboarding. It has enabled me to travel the world, grow my network exponentially and kick-off my entrepreneurial endeavors.

Here are four lessons I've learned on how becoming passionate about something besides entrepreneurship can help your startup thrive:

1. Find what you like. I knew entrepreneurship was for me when I discovered the same passion and drive I found in kiteboarding. Growing up, all I wanted to do was kiteboard, get sponsored and beat my friends. Securing my sponsorship from Cabrinha Kiteboarding was a goal I never thought imaginable. I used that same competitiveness when I launched my own startup. Entrepreneurship can be pretty cut throat, and you have to work 100 times harder than your competitor to succeed. Passion and drive are really the only things that can keep me sane.

Related: Turning Passion Into Profits: From Playing Games to Playing for Profit

2. Become really good at it. Practice and become the best you can at something you're passionate about -- people will respect you for it. My success in kiteboarding has led to introductions and meetings that I would never have received otherwise. Kiteboarding acts as a constant in my life. If I'm having a horrible day, but the wind is blowing, a few minutes out on the water can turn my day right around.

3. Network within your niche. Whether you have a love for cars or yoga, most entrepreneurs and top-level executives have a knack for something other than work. As for the sport of kiteboarding, Silicon Valley cannot get enough of it. Richard Branson and Bill Tai are two prominent business figures who love the water sport. And as a result, I've been able to connect with both of them. If you can connect with people on a personal level, they may be more likely to show interest in your business life as well.

Related: Don't Get Too Excited: 4 Reasons Why Passion is the Enemy of Sales Success

4. Maintain a source of balance. Juggling 21 college credits, meeting with clients, launching new products, pitching my business at events around Southern California and maintaining somewhat of a social life keeps me extremely busy. However, finding time in my day to get out on the water makes it all a little easier to manage. Fitting in that little bit of exercise makes all the difference in the world -- I feel refreshed and ready to tackle the throws of the rest of the day.

Why do you think it's important to maintain activities outside of your startup? Share your thoughts here in the comments section.

**Apply Now** Are you an enthusiastic college- or graduate-student entrepreneur, eager to share your on-campus experiences? Apply to be a YoungEntrepreneur.com College Treps columnist.

Will Caldwell

Co-founder and CEO of Dizzle and SnapNHD

Will Caldwell of San Diego is the co-founder and CEO of Dizzle, a mobile real-estate tech company that helps real-estate professional generate more word-of-mouth leads.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

'I Love Doing Product Reviews': Bill Gates Stepped Down from Microsoft in 2020, But Admits He Still Spends 15% of His Time Working at the Company

In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates also said he is still close with Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella.

Business News

Uber's CEO Says Drivers Have About 10 Years Left Before They Will Be Replaced

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the jobs of human drivers are safe for the next decade, but after that, another type of driver will take over.

Business News

'Everyone Can Profit From It': What Is DeepSeek? China's 'Cheap' to Make AI Chatbot Climbs to the Top of Apple, Google U.S. App Stores

DeepSeek researchers claim it was developed for less than $6 million, a contrast to the $100 million it takes U.S. tech startups to create AI.

Branding

How to Build a Strong Brand Identity for Your Early-Stage Startup

Branding might not be your first priority, but neglecting it can hurt your startup. A strong brand identity early on sets the stage for marketing success.

Business News

Elon Musk's DOGE Is Hiring People Eager to 'Work Long Hours' to Eliminate 'Waste, Fraud and Abuse' in the Government. Here's How to Apply.

The Department of Government Efficiency is hiring U.S. citizens to help cut spending and headcounts in the federal government.