Nicole Petroff was a science buff, with a particular affinity for the environmental branch. It spurred her to start an awareness group at Lancaster High School and it confirmed her future career in the field.

But when Petroff began her studies at Buffalo State College, she also plunged into yoga classes.

“It helped me with my stress level at school; it made me feel better,” she said.

Yoga’s calming effect intensified Petroff’s interest. She became a devoted practitioner, deepening her knowledge with extensive research, writing and through leading campus presentations about its health benefits, all while pursuing her degree.

Her interest didn’t recede after graduation. She became immersed in the lifestyle and indulged in the practice when not at work.

And after a six-year stint as an environmental consultant, Petroff made a career switch. She is now a registered yoga instructor, running her own business

offering holistic and alternative treatments and services. A work-related illness and then a layoff from her position fueled her decision.

“I saw it as an opportunity to do what I love, to help others experience the healing and transformation I experienced through yoga,” she said.

Petroff, now 35, started Yoga Path Transforms in 2007, which is now bustling with daily classes and one-on- one sessions. She is also emerging as a leader in the area’s yoga community, creating the new nonprofit Yoga Association of Western New York.

“It feels great; I love what I do, seeing people transform and become healthier right before my eyes,” she said. “I would not go back to the corporate world.”

Petroff’s yoga hobby grew to be an outsized passion, and when her career faltered, it evolved into a rewarding and meaningful replacement. It’s a success story that started with instructing a few friends and family members in her living room to now teaching sizable classes in yoga studios and on the waterfront.

The switch stuck

Kim Sauer of Hamburg also parlayed her passion into a successful business venture. Although her work experience was in positions at accounting firms, she wanted a career reflecting her love for animals. The switch eight years ago resulted in Sit n’ Stay Pet Services, a business with more than 1,300 clients, offering midday dog walking, sitting and other pet care services.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s well worth it because you’re doing what you love for a living,” said Sauer, 35. “The times I get to go out and be with pets are wonderful. It’s a great job.”

Will Holton played the saxophone on the side while his resume was filling up nicely with his management positions at local printing companies and he dreamed of being a technician for printing giant Xerox. But in 2007 he wandered far off that relatively safe career track for an unpredictable one in music.

And he’s transformed his hobby into a multifaceted operation, performing at two packed shows a year at Tralf Music Hall and providing music production, song-writing and marketing services to legendary jazz artists Najee and Roy Ayers. His new company, Brand Builderz.com, will broaden those services, extending them to other artists.

Will Holton has played his saxophone as the opening act for national recording artists Jon B., Keyshia Cole, Ryan Leslie and others. He has organized a concert at the Tralf on Sept. 25 featuring Najee.

“A lot of good things are happening,” the 30-year-old Buffalo resident said. “It’s taken time to get to this point, but these are just confirmations that I’ve made the right decision and I’m doing the right thing.”

The other path

Petroff, Sauer and Holton are among the many courageous local residents so enthralled by their side interests they abandoned established career tracks to pursue them.

Local business and career experts say there is unmatched professional fulfillment when your favorite activity doubles as gainful employment. During a layoff, as was the case for all three entrepreneurs, is a good time to determine the feasibility of turning your pastime or another interest into a paying career.

“Following your passion should be No. 1 when making a career choice, because it’s where all your natural energy resides,” said Roberta L. Bemiller, a certified career coach and owner of RLB Coaching and Consulting in Hamburg. “When you do that, it is nice to wake up in the morning and go in to work because you love what you do. You could make money at just about anything that you do as a hobby, that you are passionate about. You could do the activity itself, teach it, or be involved in providing services related to your hobby.”

But wait! Don’t a make a dash yet to open that bakery to showcase your talent as an untrained pastry chef. Bemiller and others warn it’s a risky move that should not be considered without a plan. Do some in-depth research to determine the viability of the idea, by identifying its market and customer base, as well as checking out financial sources to cover start-up costs and to sustain the business until it is profitable.

Depending on the business, the costs could be staggering, including money for supplies and the additional education or training you may need. And to top it off, the entire process is time-consuming, Bemiller said.

Petroff’s new career path made her family nervous.

“I had no money whatsoever, and I was living on unemployment,” she said. She had to cash in her IRA to pay for the yoga training, certifying her to teach, and other expenses until she built her client base.

“I’ve never worried about money since I’ve been working for myself,” she said. “You have to have faith that the universe will bring you what you need, and I had faith the money I needed would come and it always did.”

esapong@buffnews.comnull