These days, the job market isn’t just for adults. Many teenagers are balancing after-school jobs with their studies, and some are even adopting an entrepreneurial spirit by starting their own businesses.
Whether you are a teen preparing for a lifelong business-oriented career or are simply looking for a way to make a little spending money, there are many ways to help make your dream of being a small business owner a reality. Here are a few tips for making it happen:
Start a solo business from the ground up
It’s important to spend your teen years having some fun – remember, you have your whole life ahead of you to work! – but it can be extremely fulfilling (and a great place to start as you get your entrepreneurial feet wet!) to turn a beloved hobby into a part-time gig.
You’ll make some extra money, and you’ll also learn valuable skills such as client acquisition and retention and budgeting for business-related expenses. For example, if you’re an animal lover, pet sitting might be right up your alley. You’ll get to spend time with a furry friend, and also learn how to book appointments, create a positive customer experience, and reinvest back into your business (perhaps by purchasing dog treats and toys to entertain your four-legged guests).
The only caveat is that to offer your services on a site like Rover.com you’ll have to be 18 or older. But if you’re not quite old enough for that, you can get your feet wet by offering to sit for or walk the four-legged family members of your loved ones and neighbors.
Develop and execute a marketing strategy
Unfortunately, having a great business idea doesn’t automatically come with customers requesting your services. To get them, you’ll need to advertise. This article discusses some ways to get the word out about your new venture, such as posting flyers and even walking around your neighborhood introducing yourself to potential clients.
It also suggests building a simple website and investing in business cards. This way, your happy clients can easily refer new business to you – never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing!
Consider a partnership
If the thing you most want to do would be in direct competition with a peer, it might make sense to offer to go into business together. For example, if you’re passionate about working outside and want to start a lawn care business but a neighbor has beat you to the punch, going in together might be more profitable for both of you.
As this article explains, you’ll be able to serve a greater client base with two of you, and you won’t have to worry about moving in on someone else’s territory (or vice versa!). But proceed with caution, as working with a partner can be tricky if you don’t both have the same goals and level of professionalism.
Master the art of customer service
If you want to own your own business, whether on a small scale now or as a major corporation in the future, you’ll need to know how to work with people. Successful business owners not only have to serve their clients well, but also have to work with funding individuals or agencies and manage employees.
Customer service experience is key to developing these sorts of expertise. If you’ve never worked in the customer service field, never fear: Demonstrate that you have these sought after skills, and you’re likely to find a good gig. If this isn’t your first customer service rodeo and you’re looking for a new job in the field, polish up your resume to increase your chances of being hired.
Even if you don’t intend on being the head of your own multimillion dollar corporation someday, there are many valuable skills you can take away from trying your hand as a business owner in your teenage years. These skills will help you in both your personal and professional life, and who knows – you just may uncover a passion that you pursue full time someday!
Lexie Dy has always loved learning. In fact, even as a child, she would spend her free time at the library studying topics of interest. And today, she continues to spend countless hours at the library as a grad student. When she isn’t preparing for exams and research papers, she enjoys helping teens prepare for the job market through her work with ReadyJob.
Sam Mollaei, Esq., Entrepreneur Lawyer, from Mollaei Law can be reached @ (818) 925-0002 or by visiting MollaeiLaw.com
