Many of the most successful people in business today started out as teenage entrepreneurs. For many teens, the realization that building something of your own beats working for “the man” comes to them naturally, but coming up with the right idea isn’t always easy. So here are 10 ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Most can be started by anyone, and a few will require some specialized knowledge, but might get you on the right path or spark another idea, even if you don’t have that knowledge right now. And if you’re at all worried about being taken seriously as a teen business person, take a look at our recent post on the subject.
Senior Errand Service
Wherever you live, there are bound to be senior citizens who need help with errands. The errands you’ll run can range from grocery shopping to picking up dry cleaning and going to the post office. If you don’t yet have wheels, there are plenty of ways to help seniors around the house too, like washing the car, making minor repairs, or helping out with yard work. As the fasted growing segment of the population, it makes a lot of business sense to serve seniors, and it will feel good to know you’re helping someone who really needs it.
Garage Cleaning/Organizing Service
Have you ever walked past an open garage that was so cluttered with stuff the family couldn’t fit their car inside? Those are your potential clients. Cleaning out the garage is a chore no one enjoys (unless they’re getting paid like you will), so convincing people to hire you won’t be that hard – especially if you’re polite and professional and your rates are reasonable. Your startup costs will be minimal with this business – chances are you have most if not all of your supplies at home already. All you’ll need are a good push broom, some cleaning supplies and lots of elbow grease. To get customers, make up some flyers and go door-to-door around your neighborhood. It might be intimidating at first, but before long, you’ll get your pitch down, and it will be well worth the effort.
Haul-Away Service
If you have a pickup, or know someone who has one and wants to be a partner, consider starting a haul-away service. Whether it’s in their back yard, in their garage, or under their stairs, people all over the world have lots of junk. And many are willing to pay someone else to haul it away. Figure in the cost of gas, maintenance and insurance on the vehicle you use when coming up with rates, and make sure to find out if your local dump charges to drop off there. Another great thing about this business is that what one person calls junk, another might want. You’d be surprised at what some people get rid of, and there might be an opportunity there to sell some of this “junk” in the classifieds, eBay, etc. To market this business, go door to door, or post flyers at your local grocery store, or laundromat’s community bulletin board.
Small Engine Repair Service
Are you handy with all things mechanical? Can you take apart just about anything and put it back together? If you have the skills, some tools and a garage you can work in, there is a market for a small engine repair service. From lawn mowers to snow blowers, your neighbors are bound to have something they need fixed. For the price of a few flyers, you can be in business fast. As you prove yourself, your customers are sure to tell others, and you’ll be busy as a professional tinkerer before you know it!
Yard Service
Ok, so mowing lawns for the summer isn’t a very original idea. But who says you have to limit yourself in this category. Why not think big? Start out by mowing lawns in the summer and clearing snow in the winter, but rather than spending your earnings on the latest video game system or car stereo, use your revenue to expand your services to other kinds of yard work. Trimming hedges, killing weeds, and planting flowerbeds are just a few of the services you could add, without spending much at all on additional equipment. As demand for your business grows, hire friends to help you out. Before you know it, you could be running a full-fledged landscaping business.
Social Media Consulting
If you’re in your teens, chances are very good you know your stuff when it comes to using Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and other social networks. But did you know this stuff is big business? Well it absolutely is. There are entire consulting firms dedicated to helping their clients maximize their social media efforts, and some of them probably don’t have as much experience at it as you do. Step one is to find out all you can about using social media for business. There are tons of online resources for this, so that part’s a breeze. Next, decide what services you’ll offer and if you’ll specialize in a particular area – Facebook fan pages, for instance. Then get out there on social media and make it known that you’re available as a consultant. Also consider visiting local businesses that see the value in social media but might not know how to get started. There is a huge market for this right now. You just have to plan it out and go for it!
Candle Making
For less than $100 in wax and equipment, anyone can be in business for themselves making candles. If you’re creative and willing to do the necessary legwork, you can do well as a candle maker, and you’ll have fun too. First, you’ll want to decide which kind of candles you want to make. There are beeswax candles, colored candles, scented candles, or aromatherapy candles, to name a few. Then you’ve got to decide where you’ll sell your finished candles. There are lots of options, such as eBay, craft fairs or direct sales to local shops – or all of the above. If you can come up with a unique design or presentation for your candles, this business can blossom into a company that will keep you busy well beyond high school!
Jewelry Making
Like candle making, this business is for those with a creative flare. It might take a little more to get started, both in money and know-how, but you don’t need tons of training, and if you use materials like beads and silver rather than gold and diamonds, starting a custom jewelry business doesn’t have to cost a lot. To get started, you can learn most of what you need to know from books on the subject. Then it’s a matter of practicing until you’re good. If your stuff is attractive, you’ll find a market eager to snatch up your pieces – often for a premium price.
Web Design Service
This is one business where you really should have some training and a lot of practice to get started. Yes, there are many people out there calling themselves web designers who just use templates and have only a basic html background, but you don’t want to be one of those. The real money in this field is made by those who know what they’re doing. If it’s something that interests you, it won’t take that long to learn, and you can do very well from referrals and return business. And this is another business that can take you far beyond your high school years.
Blogging
Are you an expert in a particular area, like social media or high school algebra? Are you an entertaining writer, or simply have a great sense of humor? If you can get people to read what you have to say, you can make money at it by starting a blog. There are thousands of affiliate programs that will pay you when people click through from your blog to their sites and make a purchase. You’ll want to read lots of articles (like these) about how to do this right, but once you figure it out, it can mean making way more than your friends working at the taco place!
Whatever business you decide to start, know this: if you’re a teen reading this post, you’re already far ahead of 90% of other people your age, and way ahead of the vast majority of people of any age. To enter the world of entrepreneurship can be challenging at times, but those of us who do it know that all the hard work, setbacks, and challenges that come are nothing compared to the rewards of starting and growing your own business. So don’t let anything slow you down. If being in business for yourself is your dream, go for it with all you’ve got!
Outstanding list. One suggestion I would give to all teens — you have hobbies, so use them to your advantage. Whether it is a particular sport, computers, school work, etc, leverage your natural skill and turn it into a business. Start off on your own then begin to hire people.
Good at a particular sport? Blog about it, fix equipment, record scouting tapes for recruits, etc. Smart? Start a tutoring service. Good with computers? Then the possibilities are endless.
Teens should never feel like that they have to work in some uninteresting job to support their costs… there are a lot of ways to make money.
Be creative, understand your talents, and build a job that mixes your talents and your interests.
Great list, Adam! But don’t forget pet care. When I travel, I pay my dog walker at least $20 a day to give my three pups a good walk. To stay in the house with them when we’re gone for a long weekend earns her $100 a day. Even during recession, people will spend money on their pets!
A very well written article. I agree with @stephen, utilizing your talent or favorite activity is a great way to get started as a young entrepreneur. I think the ideas about getting started by using the internet such as becoming a blogger, social media consultant are the best ones. Most teens spend so much time on the internet anyway that they might as well focus that energy into a business that will make money.
Wonderful article! Young entrepreneurs should remember a great place to get started is with just a basic domain name and blogging service. Lots of people love reading about their local community, events and activities!
Really a very useful one, i was able to make my business plan with basing your ides …………
I really like the blogging idea everything else sounds generic but its a good list for a teen.
i really like the senior errands service because it helps teens to care about olderly people and its good for senoir people to br=e help if needed
The definition of an entrepreneur is shifting for young people. Talented, ambitious kids are increasingly using social media to create “brands” without the traditional online infrastructure (websites and blogs are now considered old-school by teen webpreneurs) that we associate with a business. YouTube is a great example of this. Think Justin Bieber.
Good list. I have been washing cars for nearly a year now, yes the money is great but it’s hard work. I am very good with designing and computers. Could you Give some links for software etc. I was also thinking about dog walking but what if something happens to me or the dogs? Thanks.
i agree on what stephen said…if a person has a talent, he or she should utilize it for his or her better future,,,:) tamaaa!!!
Extremely well written article!I loved the content.I am a teen and yeah I’m definately gonna give it a shot tx man
I have my own business and i’m in the tenth grade… its great to make 100% soy candles. I make my candles look like cupcakes, roses, mocha lattes, icecream cones and a lot of other things I can think of. They smell like what they are. LightUpOurFuture is now becoming a foundation to support teens. I work at my local farmers market. Its a great experience. Having a business opens alot of doors. Best advice I can give anyone starting a business under the age of 18 is …
* don’t worry if you are in the red the first couple of months, its okay if you don’t see the money right away
* advertisement can be cheap by making a simple flyer, printing off 100 copies at a local post office ( some do it for free), and passing them out everywhere you go!! And I mean everywhere!
*I work alone but its okay to have a partner. I’ve tried having one several times… so make sure you trust them!!!!!
* price your items as if you were the customer and compare your prices to local stores
* Let teachers help you and recommend a fundraiser for your school using your product or abilities
* can’t be shy ( learned that the hard way) people are going to be shocked if you have your own business especially if you started under the age of 16 (started at 14) ….talking to people “networking” can open doors for your business
* last, always have fun and if you make realistic looking candles like me, make sure noone tries eat your WAX marshmellows on your hot cocoa candle
I almost forgot….MAKE SURE U GET A BIZ LICENSE… a couple kids got sued over that!!
I believe entrepreneurs are made and not born. Your destiny lies straight on your palm and your success depend on how well you ultilise it. Life will not give you what you desire but what u decide.Teens rise and make good use of the opportunity out there,it awaits you.
i loved this article and am actually looking forward to start an enterprise , i am in tenth grade and would like more ideas in the context of asia , being an asian ,scenarios here are different from europe and america , i would love to start a website and i think for anything to be successful what is needed is the perfect idea like zuckerburg had ! is it important for me to learn all that complex coding and stuff ?? there are also way too many entrepreneurs in my country
How about interior designing?
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