Make the world your canvas with The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack
February 18, 2025
This article was updated on February 18, 2025 with The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies Gameplay Trailer. Discover how to set up shop, learn new skills & make some Simoleons.
This article was updated on February 25, 2025 with a look at all of the Business Activities and Hobbies available as “Customer Rules” for Small Businesses in Businesses & Hobbies and the base game as well as other Expansion, Game and Stuff Packs.
Wake up and smell the coffee! It’s time to seize the clay and make a bold inked statement in the expressive city of Nordhaven!
In The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack, we invite you to discover what artistic passions add a spring to your step. Start a small business to show off your crafty creations and rake in the Simoleons as you master two new skills that will shape your future and add color to your life every day.
Your dreams have been waiting! It’s time to become the savvy artisan you always knew you could be!
Make Your Mark
Showcase who you truly are with the new Tattooing skill! With the Tattooing skill you can have your Sim give other Sims pre-made, custom or dedicated tattoos. Body art is all about freedom of expression and celebrating your body in your own way. To make this experience unique and entirely your own, Sims can create an infinite amount of custom tattoos in Tattoo Paint Mode. Like real artists, you’ll be able to share your custom designs with other Simmers using the Gallery, or browse for other Tattoos to use in your experience.
Even more, Sims will be able to make their small business unique to their preferences. Ever wanted to hear live music while you’re being tattooed? If your Sim wants it, they can have it! When it’s your business, you’re fully in control of what happens there.
As Sims level up their Tattooing skill, they can also unlock stamps, stencils and the ability to do touchups, increasing the odds of excellent results. Tattoos (even ones from previous packs) can now be layered, allowing for multiple tattoos to be placed on the same body part.
Mold and Mend Your Future
Pottery allows Sims to express their crafty side in new ways. Elevate your Pottery skill with the Pottery Wheel to make decorative and functional pieces, including tea sets, a planter and a vase for our Simmers with a green thumb, incense burners to set an ambiance and so much more.
Once the pieces have been created on the Pottery Wheel, players have the option to glaze (colors include blush, contemporary, industrial, matte and more, to name a few) their finished pottery and put it in the Pottery Kiln or leave their pottery unglazed. At higher levels of the Pottery skill, Sims can use the Japanese art of Kintsugi to create beautiful pieces from broken ceramics.
The final objects can be gifted or sold at a small business using the new retail surfaces or used to decorate your lot.
New Life in Nordhaven
Welcome to Nordhaven, a town steeped in history, and full of possibilities for your Sims to pursue their creative hobbies.
Hobbies are best when shared, and Nordhaven’s picturesque and inspirational neighborhoods of Gammelvik and Iverstad offer countless opportunities to connect with like-minded Sims who share similar interests and enthusiasm for the things your Sims care about most. Hobby Meetups are the must-attend events to socialize, form new friendships, and even find a mentor to help your Sims build skills faster.
As Sims advance in their skills, they too can become mentors and pass on their knowledge. Sims can also build their legacy by teaching others in Classes and Lectures. Listening to a Lecture is one of the ways a Sim may earn Mastery Perks – this experience rewards Sims who become highly talented in their selected skills, and teaching a Class allows a business to monetize a wide range of skills. Classes are Events that have Goals, so beware that attendees will not pay if the Class does not earn at least a Bronze reward. Good luck!
Your Small Business, Your Way
Follow your dreams wherever they take you and create a small business that will leave your Sim feeling fulfilled. Choose the name and logo for your business and open up shop! Whether it’s creating pottery or other handmade items, or providing a service like tattoos or classes, turn your Sim’s skills into a profitable business. For Sims who are just starting up their business or feel most inspired at home, you can build a Small Business on a Residential Lot and designate a dedicated space in their home to set up shop. You can also run their business on the new Small Business Venue Lot and choose the kind of customers you want to attract.
The new Ticket Kiosk offers Sims the freedom to run their business on their terms, with options to charge customers either one time or hourly. You get to make the challenging, but exciting, choice of either running a family business (imagine the drama!) and hiring your entire Sim’s household, or meeting the perfect candidates and offering them a job. Once you choose your staff of up to three employees, you’ll be able to assign tasks and manage their salaries. The options are endless with the new Small Business system.
As you grow your Sim’s business, you’ll earn the ability to choose Business Perks, which include new interactions, effects, and more! Your Sim can run their business by the books or cut a few corners as they build their Business Renown and decide on their Alignment along the Dreamer, Schemer, and Neutral paths. Setting your business ablaze with the Firestarter perk to claim the insurance money will progress your Sim's business in the Schemer Alignment. If you consider yourself to be more of a dreamer, choosing perks that will progress your Alignment towards the Dreamer path. Just here to live life and make those Simoleons? No problem, your business can remain Neutral.
These choices don’t only impact your Sim’s business, especially if you work with family, they can also impact your Sim’s life outside of the workplace, so choose wisely as you chase those dreams!
So Many Businesses, So Many New Opportunities!
The Sims offers many hobbies in the base game that can turn into businesses including fishing, gardening, cooking, comedy, writing, violin, video gaming and piano. Is your Sim highly skilled at painting? Have them run an Art Gallery for other Sims to admire their works! As Sims advance on these skills, they can also become mentors to pass along their knowledge. Each Small Business can set up to five different “Customer Rules” which allows for a multitude of different combinations for all Hobbies and Business Activities.
Here’s a look at all of the Business Activities and Hobbies available as “Customer Rules” for Small Businesses in Businesses & Hobbies and the base game:
- Art and Music
- Do Comedy
- Play Violin
- View Art
- Dance
- Listen to Music
- Paint
- Play An Instrument
- Play Guitar
- Play Piano
- Watch Live Entertainment
- View Collectibles
- Food and Drink
- All Things Grilled Cheese
- Cook
- Drink Bar Drinks
- Drink Coffee
- Eat
- Grill
- Mix Bar Drinks
- Drink Tea
- Fun and Games
- Play Cards
- Play Physical Games
- Play Chess
- Play Darts
- Play Don't Wake the Llama
- Play Pub Games
- Play Video Games
- Play Table Games
- Hobbies
- Rocket Science!
- Program
- Read
- Use Microscope
- Use Telescope
- Woodwork
- Work Out
- Write
- Home Activities
- Try on Outfits
- Bathe and Shower
- Browse the Web
- Clean
- Fix Objects
- Sleep
- Watch TV
- Stay Near Household Sims
- Kid Activities
- Play on Playground equipment
- Do Homework
- Play with Toys
- Use Science Table
- Use Activity Table
- Mischief and Mayhem
- Hack
- Possess Objects
- Sabotage Objects
- Swipe Objects
- Outdoor
- Fish
- Hangout by Fire
- Look for Frogs
- Swim
- Tend Garden
- Use Hot Tub
- Social
- Hug
- Kiss
- Scare
- Be Friendly
- Be Funny
- Be Mean
- Be Mischievous
- Be Romantic
- Fight
- Tell Jokes
A plethora of previous Expansion, Game and Stuff Packs have small business opportunities available for every type of crafty Simmer. See below for a few you can try:
- Cats and Dogs Expansion Pack: Sims who love and adore their four legged friends can open pet cafés.
- Get Together Expansion Pack: Sims who are down to dance until the sun rises can create dance clubs and Sims who game until the wee hours of the morning can open arcades for like minded gamers.
- City Living Expansion Pack - Sing your heart out in your favorite city at your very own karaoke bar fitted out with your favorite Simlish tunes.
- Get Famous Expansion Pack - Did someone say paparazzi? Open an acting school where you teach celebrities how to play the part!
- Spa Day Game Pack - Fancy a massage, facial or meditative yoga retreat? Say namaste to all the Sims who choose to relax with you at your spa!
- Laundry Day Stuff Pack - Scrub a dub dub in your very own tub! Collect Simoleons as Sims wash their clothes at your laundromat!
- Bowling Night Stuff Pack - Sims who are competitive can open their very own bowling alleys. Get a strike or a spare on a fun night out with friends.
Check out below for the full list of Small Business opportunities from other Expansion, Game and Stuff Packs:
- Get Together Expansion Pack
- Food and Drink - Bake
- Hobbies - Use Science Objects
- Mischief and Mayhem - Use Alien Powers
- Art and Music - DJ
- Fun and Games - Play Arcade Machine
- Fun and Games - Play Foosball
- Kids Activities - Play in Closet
- Outdoor - Use the Jump Platform
- City Living Expansion Pack
- Art and Music - Sing
- Fun and Games - Play Basketball
- Hobbies - Use Bubble Blower
- Social - Give Speech
- Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack
- Outdoor - Play with Pets
- Seasons Expansion Pack
- Hobbies - Go Skating
- Hobbies - Flower Arranging
- Outdoor - Summer Activities
- Outdoor - Winter Activities
- Outdoor - Fall Activities
- Outdoor - Spring Activities
- Get Famous Expansion Pack
- Art and Music - Acting Routines
- Art and Music - Produce New Track
- Hobbies - Record Video
- Island Living Expansion Pack
- Outdoor - Use Water Vehicles
- Outdoor - Conservation Activities
- Discover University Expansion Pack
- Fun and Games - Play Soccer
- Hobbies - Build Robots
- Hobbies - Debate
- Hobbies - Do Research
- Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack
- Hobbies - Fabricate Objects
- Cottage Living Expansion Pack
- Art and Music - Cross-stitch
- Outdoor - Care for Animals
- High School Years Expansion Pack
- Fun and Games - Play Football Toss
- Hobbies - Cheerlead
- Mischief and Mayhem - Prank
- Growing Together Expansion Pack
- Fun and Games - Play Simbles
- Fun and Games - Put Puzzles Together
- Horse Ranch Expansion Pack
- Food and Drink - Make Nectar
- Food and Drink - Drink Nectar
- For Rent Expansion Pack
- Fun and Games - Play Hopscotch
- Kid Activities - Play Marbles
- Lovestruck Expansion Pack
- Fun and Games - Play Who's Up Party Games
- Fun and Games - Wear Costumes from Costume Trunk
- Outdoor Retreat Game Pack
- Fun and Games - Play Horseshoes
- Mischief and Mayhem - Roar
- Spa Day Game Pack
- Hobbies - Do Spa Activities
- Hobbies - Do Yoga
- Hobbies - Meditate
- Vampires Game Pack
- Art and Music - Play Pipe Organ
- Mischief and Mayhem - Drink Plasma
- Mischief and Mayhem - Use Vampire Powers
- Realm of Magic Game Pack
- Hobbies - Use Cauldron
- Mischief and Mayhem - Cast Spells
- Werewolves Game Pack
- Outdoor - Moonbathe
- Movie Hangout Stuff Pack
- Food and Drink - Eat Popcorn
- Hobbies - Watch Movies on TV
- Romantic Garden Stuff Pack
- Outdoor - Play in Park Fountains
- Kids Room Stuff Pack
- Kid Activities - Battle with Voidcritters
- Kid Activities - Perform Puppet Shows
- Backyard Stuff Pack
- Fun and Games - Use Lawn Water Slide
- Bowling Night Stuff Pack
- Fun and Games - Go Bowling
- Laundry Day Stuff Pack
- Home Activities - Do Laundry
- Nifty Knitting Stuff Pack
- Art and Music - Knitting
- Crystal Creations Stuff Pack
- Hobbies - Do Gemology
If your Sim can dream it, then you can live it and achieve it!
If you purchase the Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack before April 18, you can elevate your business with several inspiring pieces. Witness the beauty of sculpture and body art with the Practice Makes Perfect Priscilla Statue, keep perishable products fresh with the Sweetest Treat Display Case and illuminate your space with the Beautiful Flaws Lamp.
Preorder The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack now to start playing immediately when it launches on March 6, 2025 for EA app™, Epic Games Store and Steam®, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One systems.
*Correction: On February 5, 2025, we communicated that your Sims can elevate their Pottery skill with the Pottery Wheel to make planters of all sizes for our Simmers. One size planter and one size vase is available for your Sims.