It was a little odd hearing this today where a person was telling me how the career he is working in is not what he is passionate about. However, due to life constraints such as having children he felt that he had no choice but to do what pays the bills. The interesting thing was that his wife did a casual side business to earn some extra money. However, when it was suggested to him that he try something on the side that is more oriented to his passion he pretty much shut the idea down.
There wasn’t really much of a risk either as he would simply keep working at his job and when he finds time he would try and dedicate some time into building his dream career. For myself, I personally see a part time business venture as no scarier than say trying to learn a new hobby like a sport. Like that you are still revolving it around your main priorities in life where you will keep doing what gives you security while potentially creating something that can be your new financial security, so to speak.
My only other thought is that people who don’t normally start businesses have a fear of failing where it’s like in this case starting a a spare time business that potentially fails somehow translates as if you filed for bankruptcy. It’s not the end of the world if you fail. But who knows the opportunities or success you are stopping yourself from doing by not trying at all.