The Businesses and Hobbies expansion pack for The Sims 4 grants Sims exciting ways to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams by starting and managing their own small business. With the addition of the Esteemed Entrepreneur aspiration, players can follow a structured path that guides them through the mechanics of running a successful business while setting clear goals to work toward.

12:18

Related

The Sims 4: Ranking Every Expansion Pack From Worst To Best

The Sims 4 has plenty of great expansion packs; some of them really enhance the gameplay, while others fall just short of expectations.

Like other aspirations from DLC packs, this one not only helps players explore content and features introduced in the pack but also provides a framework for storytelling, shaping a Sim’s journey from a hopeful startup owner to a respected business leader. Once they complete the four milestones and all of the aspiration’s goals, Sims can even earn a helpful reward trait to ensure their legacy as a trusted entrepreneur with a thriving customer base.

How to Complete Friendly Founder in The Sims 4

• Milestone Quests:
  • Grow your Small Business to a Hopeful Hustle
  • Have 20 Customers Visit your Small Business
  • Acquire a Small Business Perk

Sims who are aiming to achieve the Esteemed Entrepreneur aspiration must finish the first milestone: Friendly Founder. This milestone sets attainable goals for new and aspiring small business owners.

The first goal is to grow their Business Renown from the bottom-tier Garage Business level to a one-star Hopeful Hustle. Sims can increase their Business Renown by getting positive reviews from customers. From the moment they walk in, welcome new customers with a friendly introduction and the Welcome to Business interaction. Increase the chances of getting positive reviews by creating a clean and pleasant ambiance that is nicely decorated and well-stocked or adequately prepared for the services provided. Maintaining a steady stream of satisfied customers and engaging with them is essential for business growth and achieving the first milestone.

Once a Sim levels up their Business Renown, they will earn Small Business Perk Points. Much like owners of retail stores (Get To Work) and restaurants (Dine Out), small business owners can use these points to purchase perks that can provide benefits — like attracting more customers, employee bonuses, and online advertisements to generate buzz — which contribute to the business’s long-term success.

How to Complete Popular Operator in The Sims 4

• Milestone Quests:
  • Grow your Small Business to a Striving Startup
  • Reach the first level of the Dreamer or Schemer Alignment
  • Hire an Employee and Become Friends with Them

The first step in the Popular Operator milestone is to grow the small business to a Striving Startup by reaching a two-star Business Renown rating. At this level, players may find that their small businesses will see a boost in foot traffic, more purchases, and a rise in their entry and hourly fees.

Similar to the reputation system from the Get Famous expansion, Sims can run their shop with either a Dreamer or Schemer Alignment, which reflects how they choose to run their business and influences how customers perceive the shop. Dreamers focus on fairness, passion, and ethical business practices, while Schemers prioritize profit, strategy, and sometimes questionable tactics. Business owners can begin to develop their alignment by choosing social interactions in the Small Business menu that match the alignment they are interested in. Sims will also encounter Business Dilemmas which, depending on how they are solved, will influence their alignment. Reach the first level, Lawful or Illicit, for benefits such as improved customer relationships from a simple greeting.

Related

The Sims 4: How to Run a Class

Players can run skill classes in The Sims 4 Businesses and Hobbies, and here’s how to do it.

Finally, Sims must hire an employee and become friends with them to help manage the growing workload. From the Small Business Panel, Sims can Manage Employees and select specific Sims to hire. Employees can be assigned various tasks, including restocking, cleaning, and assisting customers. Developing a positive relationship with employees is essential for creating a friendly work environment, so owners should take the time to chat and joke with them.

How to Complete Honored Home Businessperson in The Sims 4

• Milestone Quests:
  • Get a Happy Customer
  • Grow your Small Business to a Neighborhood Gem
  • Reach the second level of the Dreamer or Schemer Alignment

Satisfied customers are essential for a successful business. Customers are more likely to become Happy Customers if the shop’s alignment is in line with the target customer’s personality traits and morals, if they have a strong relationship with the owner, or they enjoy exceptional service.

Getting Happy Customers requires the business to have reached level two in either the Dreamer or Schemer Alignment — Scrupulous for Dreamers or Underground for Schemers. This can be achieved by consistently selecting Dreamer or Schemer interactions and making business decisions that align with their philosophic approach.

Sims must also grow the small business to a Neighborhood Gem, which requires increasing Business Renown to three stars. As Renown increases to this level, Sims will see even more foot traffic and may have access to additional pricing and fee adjustments to maximize their profits.

How to Complete Esteemed Entrepreneur in The Sims 4

• Milestone Quests:
  • Grow your Small Business to a Local Legend
  • Get five more Happy Customers
  • Reach the third level of the Dreamer or Schemer Alignment

To become an Esteemed Entrepreneur and complete the aspiration, Sims must surpass the four-star Community Staple rating and reach the coveted five-star Local Legend status. With the highest customer base as well as high payouts and customer fees, players will have less trouble coming across Happy Customers. Sims must get five more Happy Customers by providing an experience that aligns with their business’s established reputation.

Related

The Sims 4: 21 Best Custom Aspiration Mods

Given the base game Aspirations options in The Sims 4 are pretty lackluster, these Aspirations mods can help keep things exciting.

Finally, Sims must commit to their business’s alignment by reaching the third and final level of the Dreamer or Schemer Alignment, becoming either Virtuous for Dreamers or Nefarious for Schemers. At this level, the business’s reputation is fully cemented, and its impact extends beyond just customers — family and friends develop strong opinions about the owner’s practices.

Reward for Completing the Esteemed Entrepreneur Aspiration in The Sims 4

After completing all four milestones for the Esteemed Entrepreneur aspiration in The Sims 4, Sims will earn the Beloved Brand reward trait, which enhances their small business’s reputation and customer loyalty. With this trait, any business they own will naturally receive more positive customer reviews, making it easier to maintain a high Business Renown.

Additionally, interactions with customers will yield a relationship boost, allowing business owners to form connections more quickly and improve customer satisfaction. This trait helps ensure continued success, making it easier to attract loyal patrons and keep the business thriving long after the aspiration is complete.

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Released

September 2, 2014

Engine

Proprietary Engine

ESRB

T for Teen: Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

N/A

Steam Deck Compatibility

yes

X|S Optimized

No

File Size Xbox Series

22 GB (November 2023)

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Cross Save

no

Cross-Platform Play

Xbox, PlayStation, and computer versions of Sims 4 are all separate games incompatible with each other

Expand