Turning Passion into Profit: 4 Entrepreneurs Who Found Success in Their Hobbies One shouldn't treat their business as a hobby, but can certainly find the secret sauce of their entrepreneurial calling in one

By Paromita Gupta

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Freepik

Everyone takes up a hobby as a stress-buster and escapes from their hectic life. But these founders got their startup ideas while having fun. One shouldn't treat their business as a hobby, but can certainly find the secret sauce of their entrepreneurial calling in one.

A fine example of this is the USD 209.06 billion entertainment conglomerate, The Walt Disney Company, built by brother duo, Walt Disney and Roy Disney. The former began drawing and creating animated characters at a young age. In the 21st century, the urge to give your dreams at least one shot is a common mindset. Youngsters are now preferring to start their own ventures rather than be employed in a 9 to 5.

Entrepreneur India spoke to founders who have built business ideas out of their hobbies.

The Community Gamer

Siddharth Nayyar, Co-founder and CRO, AFK Gaming

"We founded a forum for the small community of Indian gamers to talk and exchange ideas. There were small tournaments and events happening in India at the time but since they were somewhat scattered, nobody was talking about this growing space. So, we transformed our forum into a media business that would highlight the industry and talk about the achievements of the gamers who were making a mark."

THE INNOVATION SEEKER

Anuj Sawhney, Managing Director, Swiss Military

"My biking journey began with my son's fascination with a passing Harley Davidson when he was four in 2010. Biking has had a profound influence on both my personal and professional life. Swiss Military specializes in premium lifestyle products and travel gear, and my personal experiences have been a part of our research and development. One crucial insight that emerged from my biking adventures is the paramount importance of reliable gear. Just as a well-maintained motorcycle is essential, the rider requires top-notch equipment to conquer their journeys."

THE IDEA CLIMBER

Pranav Jain, Founder, Climb City

"I had always wanted to have my own wall . It was a matter of time and experience so one could execute things in a bigger way. The idea took a different dimension once I spent time with climbing athletes and understood the lack of proper infrastructure and facilities that would enable us to perform on a global level."

THE SOULFUL AUDIOPHILE

Varun Gupta, Co-founder, Boult

"During my time at Snapdeal, where I worked as an account manager for the audio category, I identified a significant gap in the Indian market. Despite the growing demand for premium audio products, there was a lack of options that offered both exceptional sound quality and stylish design at an affordable price point. This observation ignited a spark within me. Drawing from my experiences as a musician, I knew what people liked to listen to, the perfect tuning that could make a song come alive. This deep understanding of music became the foundation of BOULT's ethos."

Paromita Gupta

Entrepreneur Staff

Features Writer with Entrepreneur India

Covering news and trends in AI and Metaverse segments. An avid book reader running her personal blog on the side. You may reach me at paromita@entrepreneurindia.com. 
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

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

News and Trends

Ecozen Secures Over USD 23 Mn Debt Funding to Expand Climate-Smart Solutions

This round of investment will be directed toward scaling Ecozen's flagship solutions, including Ecotron, Ecofrost, and advanced motor control systems.

News and Trends

NeoSapien Secures INR 80 Lakhs on Shark Tank India 4 for AI Wearable

Founded in 2024 by Dhananjay Yadav and Aryan Yadav, NeoSapien aims to integrate AI into daily life through its wearable technology

News and Trends

PAG Acquires Majority Stake in Pharma Packaging Player Pravesha Industries

This move underscores PAG's continued focus on India's burgeoning packaging industry, following its recent investment in Manjushree Technopack.

Leadership

From Elite Athletes to Tech Titans — Discover the Surprising $100-Million Habit That Leads to Extraordinary Success

Success comes from mastering focus, eliminating distractions and prioritizing what truly matters.