Getting a job is increasingly difficult with fierce
competition from out of work adults and foreign immigrants. Unfortunately teenage
unemployment is on the increase amounting to over 28% in modern cities and 53%
in Africa.
Without job related experience many teenagers will have
to contend with difficulty in time management and confidence. Work builds a
sense of purpose, accomplishment and financial independence.
A teenager doing part time or full-time job is able to
offset tuition fees while having some level of financial freedom. I discovered my entrepreneurial spirit in my
early teens (14 years old) and vividly remember buying some laminated sports cards
form an adult.
I bought 2 dozen cards at $35 and sold them to my school mates
at $3 a piece making a total of $72 and a profit of $37. From that experience I
realized that I can make money by just being creative.
Today’s teens are extremely lucky because of the abundant
resource available to them. They have various platforms to build experience, gain
knowledge and discover endless business opportunities.
Starting any business venture is moderately challenging, all you need is creativity and the desire to succeed. Business ventures
build characteristics like confidence, finance management and customer relationship
skills.
Awesome
Business Ideas for Teenagers
Every business venture begins with an idea that is
developed and executed. The ideas range from service based, marketing, product
development and e-commerce.
The internet is a vast resource of knowledge when
searching for a viable business idea. You need to discover which ideas best
appeals to you and learn how to establish the business.
Almost every teenager is cash strapped so we have given
consideration to the amount of money needed to start each business venture in
the list.
Different
kinds of small business ideas for teenagers
Some small business ideas for teenagers are service, product
or internet based business ideas. They range from low cost, easy to start and
lots of customers to high startup businesses.
1.Babysitting
Babysitting is the most common type of business venture
teenage girls and boys do. The business is easy requires zero capital
investment and it pays well. Babysitting is a great way to earn money but it
needs patience and lots of diligence.
To gain many clients you need to build your reputation as
a good babysitter. You also need to chose your clients carefully and keep yourself
safe.
2.How
to Get Started
Once you have decided to start your babysitting business
you need to advertise. You don’t have to pay anyone to print your handbills or
posters.
To make posters all you need are some marker pencils and
vanguard paper. Then write legibly and advertise as a babysitter and include
any special skills that enhance your prospects. Also include a dedicated telephone
number for your clients to reach you.
The next step is to write the same information on an A4
paper and make photocopies. Once you have your posters and hand bills post them
in your neighborhood and in local shops.
Another important way to gain clients for your business
is using online resources. You can post advertisement in local free classified
websites or put up a profile on olx.com, care.com and sittercity.
Growth
potential
Once you have gained knowledge and have a good reputation
for babysitting you need to expand your business. Some smart entrepreneurs
increase profit by starting a babysitting Agency.
This sounds big but in practicality is quite simple. Get
your fellow teenagers in your area to sign up as babysitter in your agency.
Anytime your source a job for them you get a certain
percentage of their earnings. You are at liberty to register your outfit but
keep in mind tax consideration.
The major challenge is getting clients and working out a reasonable
commission. If your workers enjoy certain privileges and are happy in your
employment your will get lots of money.
A note
of warning: Because of the weirdness in the world today don’t accept
jobs far from you location. Always let your parents know your location and
reject any job you don’t feel comfortable doing.
How to Start a Baby Sitting Business
How to Start a Baby Sitting Business
3.Car
Cleaning Service
Car cleaning service is a good business venture if you
live in a middle class environment. The business is easy to do but needs lots of
effort and manpower.
It involves offering to wash your neighbor’s cars for a
fee. Car wash business is a very lucrative business and entrepreneurs doing
this business make lots of money.
A Car wash charges are usually high and a neighbor will
rather patronize you if your charges are slightly lower. To start this business
you should identify your potential customers and offer slightly lower rates
than established car wash.
Another clever technique is to offer thrice weekly charge
as a bundle deal. Once you have lots of customers you will make regular income.
Try to maintain a high standard and watch your client
base rapidly expand. Another idea is to include car oil maintenance into your
business frame work.
All you have to do is check the engine oil level gauge
and if it needs top up inform the owner. If you know how to gauge it properly
then help the owner by adding engine oil.
Learn More On-How to Start a Car Wash Business
Learn More On-How to Start a Car Wash Business
4.Children’s
Event Organizer
If you have lots of organization and management skills
then consider children’s event business. The business has two sectors which are
organizing parties for children on behalf of the wards or your own event.
Some parents find it difficult organizing parties for
there children and need help. This is where you come into the picture. Once
they know you organize children parties they will contact and pay you for your
service.
To organize the event you need to know the child’s
interests to get a befitting theme. You can ask the child and parents to create
a clear picture of what they need.
For every successful child’s event you organize the more
customers you get. To do this business you need to determine how much your
customers will pay. Once you have a list of items, decoration, food and type of
entertainment including service fee send it to your client.
The good part about this business is your client bares
the entire cost of the event. There are many occasions that might need your
expertise like birthdays, school events, anniversaries and special holidays.
You can organize your own children’s event and get entry
fees. The even can have lots of games, fun rides and entertainment.
Organizing your own children even is more difficult and
involves your own money. It is more stressful and there is no guarantee of
success. However, a successful gig will attract lots of money.
5.Kid’s
Taxi Service
Kid’s taxi service is a good business and can make lots
of money. The only criterion is good driving skills and road knowledge.
This business is growing in popularity because parents
would rather trust their kid with teenagers than strange adults. Parents are
also very busy and are grateful for any additional help in ferrying their
children to events like dance, music, literary or sports events.
After school activities is a big reason kid taxis are
growing in popularity. To do this business you need to have a high level of
responsibility. The average age of teenage drivers acceptable in many countries
is eighteen years of age.
You need to have a valid driving license, car insurance a
good working car and phone.
Good
business practice; Always try to inform your customers of your
location especially when you get there. Communication and dependability is the
key to car taxi business. The only major obstacle in kid taxi service is
getting the car for your business.
To start this business you need funding to buy a used car
and moderate promotions. You can get money from personal savings, family and
friends or soft loans.
6.Homemade
Candles
You can start a homemade candle business. Candle making
is easier than you think and has two basic elements wax and wick.
To start this business you need to buy beautiful
decorative mold to receive the hot wax. The shape of the mold dictates the way
your candle will look.
Sell your candles to neighbors, friends and even
restaurants. To market them you need to be very creative because candles are
not essential commodities.
Source your wax and wick from reputable dealers and learn
the essential of candle making
7.Greeting
Cards
If you have a creative flair then greeting cards will
fetch you modest income. You can make creating cards on commission bases or
make a few and place in departmental stores.
You can market your cards online and offer them to
prospective customers. To succeed make your card unique and target events and
holidays like birthdays, anniversary and corporate gigs.
8.Social
Media Consultant
Social media is here to stay and it has grown in
popularity over the years. The importance of social media as a promotional tool
has developed a whole new group of entrepreneurs.
Private individual and companies are willing to pay for
the expertise of a social media consultant. Most companies are profit driven
and are eager to pay consultants if it impacts positively on sales.
Teenage social media consultants make brisk business
providing this service. To start you need to know how to create and advertise on
various social media website and launch a successful campaign.
Many youths are fast becoming social media consultants.
9.Lemonade
stand
Lemonade stand business works best when there is a yard
sale. All you need to get rolling is lemonade, ice blocks and a stand.
You can’t make lots of money running a lemonade stand.
This business is best left for your kid brother or sister.
You can run errands for neighbors for a fee. The kind of
task or errand dictates how much you charge. There are many errands or tasks
people need done such as walking the dogs, picking up groceries and babysitting.
If you can multi task and have lots of boundless energy
then you can do this business.
11.Sell
other Peoples Products
Put on your sales cap and sell other peoples product.
This is the simplest business model of the lot. You purchase and item wholesale
or retail and resell the product.
Find items you think people like and search for discounts
and bargains. Then sell the item to friends, family, students and the general
public.
There is no limit to the kind of things you can sell such
as jewelry, costume designs, scarves, cosmetic, face caps, bangles, bracelets
or rings.
Find some item that you think you can sell get it at best
price and sell for profit. If the item is unique you can sell on eBay or other
e-commerce channels.
Your startup capital depends on the product and price.
12.Cut
Firewood
If you have strength you can offer to cut firewood for
cash. This business needs lots of manpower and patience. In cold regions that
use firewood as a heating agent you will get good business.
Another way to approach this business is sourcing the
wood cutting them and offering them for sale. If you don’t have the strength
pay someone to cut the wood then package it and offer it for sale.
The business model will attract good returns on your time
and investment.
13.Computer
Repairs
Computers are not that complicated if you know how they
work. The first thing is to learn how to fix computers by going for a short
program and through tutorials.
Once you have mastered the skill offer your services to
the general public. Use free classified to offer your services, fliers and hand
bills.
Don’t forget to tell your friends and family to get more
clients. If you do good work you will find yourself getting lots of customers.
The mistake teenagers make when doing this business is
taking on too many clients at once. You need to pace yourself and the work to
get happy customers.
To create more revenue streams you can include computer
tutelage. Many people don’t know how to use the computer so charge a modest fee
to teach them the basics.
14.Moving
Assistance
Moving is stressful and the job of a moving assistants
job is to reduce the stress by lending a helping hand. To have any semblance of
success as a moving assistant you need regular work.
Senior citizens are your best bet including moving
companies. You need to advertise your service on the internet and the local
community.
15.Disc
jockey
Do you love music and have an ear for good music. Then
disc jockey business might be your calling card. To succeed in this business
you need disc jockey equipment and lots of records.
You also need to learn the trade and practice your skill
regularly. Disc jockeys make lots of money because of the different places they
play their music.
They are needed in clubs, parties, weddings and school
programs. Build a good brand for yourself, promote your business and see the
money build up.
How to Start a Disc Jockey Business
How to Start a Disc Jockey Business
16.Music
Lessons
Are you proficient in music and have mastered instruments?
Why not start giving music lesson in your free time many parents will gladly
pay for lesson for their children
There is zero startup capital and moderate earnings. To
increase the amount you make organize group music lessons for a small fee.
It takes the same amount of effort to teach a single
student or a group lesson.
17.House
Painting
Offer your services as a house painter to your neighbors.
House painting is relatively easy because all you need is a brush, roller and
paint.
The difficulty in this business is the manual labor. You need only a roller and a few brushes and a
bucket. Then place advertisement in popular areas and online to get more
customers.
Charge fair but competitive prices and work diligently.
If the scope of work is a lot get a friend or two to join you and share the
profit.
18.General
Maintenance Handyman
The job of a handyman involves general maintenance of a
house. He does simple tasks like changing a light bulb, carpentry work, refurbishing
and electrical work.
Once you have the basic tool and knowledge the rest is
pure profit.
19.Pet
Services
Offer pet services like walking the dog or pet sitting.
Other services under pet services are aquarium cleaning, maintenance and dog
cleanup services.
The startup capital for this business is zero and you
earn decent wages.
20.Online
Auctioning
If you have an eye for unique items sell them online.
Place them on top auction websites with a good picture and description of the
item.
Factor in cost of shipment and a minimum amount you are
comfortable with. Another technique is to find such items online buy them and
repackage them for sale.
If you are creative make an item and put it up for
auction. Many teenagers have found moderate success selling items online.
21.Web
Based Business
There are many web based business like graphic designs and
web development. Others are internet marketing, freelance writing and blogging.
Find out were your passion lies and build an online
business.
Warning: Although the internet has lots of opportunity
for teenage entrepreneurs be very careful who you do business with. Never
disclose your identity to strangers or meet any Stranger offline.
If there is going to be an offline business transaction
go with a friend or two and meet in a crowded public place.
Here
is a more comprehensive list of business ideas that you can do
1
Small engine repair
2
Children’s Night out
3
Vacation Childcare
4
Holiday decorating
5
Lawn care
6
Selling custom t-shirts
7
Data archive
8
Entertainer
9
Party planner
10
Garage sales
11
Academic tutor
12
Growing organic vegetables
13
Film to digital scanning
14
Specialty photographer
15
Language instructor
16
Organizing an educational tour
17
Construction cleaning
18
Gutter cleaning
19
Selling used books
20
Gutter cleaning
21
Pressure washing
22
Roofing
23
Carpet and upholstery cleaning
24
Treasure hunting
25
Cake making business
26
House sitting
27
Interior designing
28
Pool cleaning business
29
Lawn mowing and leaf removal
30
Newspaper delivery service
31
Dry cleaning service
32
Personal shopper
33
Senior care
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