Fire Your Boss and Go Carp Fishing

I am an avid NHRA fan. I don't attend races like I used too before the responsibilities of adulthood took over my life, but I still follow the sport every chance I get on the web, on TV and through magazines.

Common carp landed in May 2015

At one of the races I attended in Bowling Green, KY more than 25 years ago I remember seeing a guy selling synthetic motor oil from a rented Budget Rent-A-Car box van. He sold out of the motor oil over the course of the weekend. I stopped by his tent on the last day of the race and immediately noticed what I suspect is the key to his success that weekend. He had a passion for business, a knowledge of motor oil and a very attention catching slogan that drew people to his booth.

Those observations from 25 years ago are still equally important today if you want to start a business with the hopes of following your passions. It's likely, since you are reading a blog post on my site, that you are passionate about carp fishing. If you are like me you have probably brainstormed for ideas to earn a living by working less and/or earning an income that allows more flexibility to spend more time fishing.

There are a few ways to do it that I can think of off the top of my head.

1. Work really, really hard for 5 or 6 years saving a lot of money, then get a job that allows more time for fishing and live off the savings for a while each year. (Speculative stock investing, day trading, real estate passive income, etc.)
2. Work 30+ years, fish on weekends and vacation days, add to your 401K, and hope social security, money from the 401K and pension (if you are lucky enough to have one) provide you enough money to enjoy fishing while you still can during the years you have left.
3. Get a job or start a business that combines your passion for fishing with a passion for earning a living doing something you enjoy. (Working is not so bad f you love what you're doing, right?)

The guys selling oil at the NHRA Division III event 25 years ago found a way to enjoy the sport of drag racing and earn money while attending the races.

Why can't we follow his lead and start a business based on our love of fishing?

Ideas anyone?

Here are a few ideas I have thought of. Maybe one of them will be a trigger to help you:

1. Sell fishing equipment
2. Teach others how to fish
3. Fishing guide service
4. Bait company
5. Organizer of fishing tournaments
6. Start a magazine about fishing
7. Write a book about fishing

No one said it was easy. Nothing worthwhile ever is. Good luck!

Sell jerky, eat jerky, earn extra money