I'm pretty sure that by most definitions, I'm interested in business not a hobby. I suppose that wasn't clear in my wording. I definitely plan to make money, and anything not making (or projected to make) money will be either stopped or done only as a hobby. I am looking to replace my full time job. Here's what I'm after:
1. I am very worried about keeping my house and personal assets separate from businesses that have potential to get sue. (Mainly I see Engineering, rentals, Auto Mechanic, and welding as high possibility of being sued...not because I'm negligent, but because I believe we live in a society where people like to sue.)
2. I'd like to replace my full time job.
3. For example, I'd like to be able to find a house that needs work or if I stumble across something and fix it up to either flip it or rent it. Then I'd like to sell firewood in the late fall. Then I'd like to get a plow truck and do some plowing in winter. Then come spring, since I have a hobby of fixing up antique tractors, I'd like to use them to rototill gardens for people. All of this while doing engineering work (either consulting or contracting) to fill free time. If I hear of somebody that needs X, Y, or Z, and I know I can build or design that easily, I'd hand them my card.
I don't even know what to call this. I did do a little more searching and it looks like I can put multiple companies UNDER another company, with the parent company dealing with all the books/taxes, etc. That might be how to do what I want, and have 3 companies, engineering, rentals, and restoration/odd jobs under "jo552006 enterprises" or something.