20 Small Business Ideas for Teens | Starting A Business In High School

The teenage years are a time of transition. This is where you begin searching for independence and developing skills that can carry you on through adulthood. After all, becoming mature, responsible, and productive members of society is the end goal, right?

About half of American pre-teens will hold some kind of informal job by the age of 12. By the time they reach high school, around 66% of teens have more traditional part-time employment.

Traditional employment, though, can be difficult to maintain as a teenager. Between school, homework, sports, a social life, and other responsibilities, fitting work into your schedule can be incredibly difficult. That’s a lot of juggling for one person.

Traditional employment requires:

• Reliable transportation. Not all teenagers have access to their own vehicle or even a shared vehicle. Having to rely on others (and their busy schedules) to take you to and from work can lead to trouble.

• Set hours. They may not be the same hours every week, but they are certainly scheduled ahead of time. Most employers will happily work around a teenager’s schedule, but they also work to meet their needs.

  With the additional stress of school, homework, and other extracurricular activities, your work availability may suffer—and weekend hours are usually non-negotiable. And, you may end up missing out on some of the social aspects of your teenage years.

If you want to make money as a teen but don’t want to tie yourself to a traditional job, there are options. You can always start your own little micro-business.

What Is a Micro Business?

A micro business is just a small business that employs fewer than ten employees, has a small start-up cost, and does not make a significant income. Since your business will likely only be employing yourself (look at you go solopreneur), it would certainly be considered a micro business.

Solopreneurs, sole-proprietors, freelancers, and side hustles would all be considered micro businesses.

What Teens Need to Start Their Own Business

Starting a business may sound like a simple process. Unfortunately, it is not as easy as idea gt; execute. You’ll need to brainstorm ideas, then make a solid plan before you even consider executing.

Before starting your own business, there is a lot to consider, even if it is something as simple as babysitting. You’re still juggling a lot, and if you want this venture to be a successful one, you need to take it seriously.

To start your own business as a teen, you need:

• Excellent organizational skills

• Incredible time management skills

• Reliable internet and phone service

• A good planner (whether physical or digital)

• Solid communication skills

• Unwavering dedication

• Customer service skills

• Dependability and self-discipline

What Makes a Good Business Idea for Teens?

When it comes to a good business idea for teens, there is an infinite number of options. The business focus you choose is entirely dependent on you and your skillset.

Still, some things make this whole process easier to manage. For example, the best business ideas have:

• Flexible hours. The best part of starting your own business versus working for someone else is your ability to control your hours. Still, if you are serving customers or clients in any way, there will need to be some scheduling.

  A business that allows you more flexibility in your hours and schedule changes is ideal for a teenager. Keep in mind, though, that you can’t just reschedule every time something better comes up. There is a significant amount of dedication and passion required for your business to be a success.

• Little to no investment. The goal of getting a job in your teens—or, in this case, starting your own business—is to earn money. Generally speaking, this means you don’t have much to start with. So, choosing a business that has little to no investment required is ideal.

• Less commute. This isn’t always possible. The commute required will depend on the business focus you choose. Ideally, though, a home-based business would work best for a teenager.

  If you must commute, you can choose the time and place to ensure you have transportation lined up without a fuss.

Skill-Based Business Ideas for Teens

1. Tutoring

   If you are intelligent and particularly skilled in a specific subject, you can put your skills to use by tutoring your peers. This requires no start-up costs and can be done on school property, so a commute does not necessarily need to be.

   Your hours would revolve a bit around your client’s needs, but you are in control of the schedule.

2. SAT/ACT Test Prep

   Like tutoring, there is no need to commute, and you are entirely in control of your schedule. There may be minimal startup costs as you may need access to prep books or practice tests, but you can also require that your clients purchase these themselves.

   You will likely need to have your own excellent score on the exam you provide structured prep for.

3. Web Designer

   If you are tech-savvy and have an eye for design, you may be able to make money as a web designer. Web designers are essentially graphic artists who focus their attention on the layout, usability, and aesthetics of web pages.

   You do not necessarily need to know any coding languages to succeed in this business—although HTML and CSS are highly recommended—but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. You can also niche down and focus on User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), or Visual Design.

4. Web Developer

   A web developer will also focus on building websites. Developers, however, build and maintain the core structure of the website. They may also provide some web designer services but don’t necessarily need to.

   You will need to be fluent in at least one coding language to work as a web developer. Like web designers, you can niche down and focus on front-end development, back-end development, or full-stack development (that’s providing both back-end and front-end)

5. Home-Based Baking

   Are you skilled in the kitchen? Starting a home baking business is certainly an option if you are an excellent baker with good cake design skills. While this technically requires no start-up costs, you will need to purchase supplies. However, this can be done with the customer’s deposit, so technically, you still don’t need any upfront money.

   This will require a clean, reliable, and spacious kitchen, although it does not necessarily need to be your kitchen. If you have a family member or close friend willing to let you borrow their kitchen for your orders, this is always an option as well.

Creative Business Ideas for Teens

1. Selling Handmade Crafts

   If you are a crafty creative, then you can always choose to sell your creations for cash. There are plenty of options when it comes to selling your handmade masterpieces.

   You can sell at flea markets and craft shows or start your own online shop (many use Etsy). Of course, you can always do a combination of these as well.

   This will require some investment as you need supplies to create. If you decide to sell live, there will be a specified time commitment and a potentially significant start-up cost. Craft shows will require you to reserve a table, and you will need displays to present your products.

2. Blogging

   If you can write, you can blog. There are blogs about everything. So long as you can appeal to others, you can bring visitors to your blog.

   There are plenty of free platforms that will allow you to host your blog, but if you plan to make money, you will need to make at least some investment. This, however, does not need to be a significant investment if you are smart about it.

3. Digital Download Designer

   There is an infinite number of digital downloads available these days. Calendars, to-do lists, planners, wall art, etc., can all be easily designed and sold via an online platform. Many will use online shops like Etsy to sell their items.

   This requires no investment at all to begin. You may want to upgrade to better software once you start making money, though. The time investment is also minimal. Designs don’t take a long time to create, and once they’ve been added to your shop, there is no need to create them again.

4. T-Shirt Designer

   This is another simple design option that requires no investment. There are plenty of print-on-demand companies out there that will take your design and create the physical t-shirt once someone has placed an order. They will not take any fees until the order is placed.

   You can create text-based designs or more artistic options, but you must pay attention to current trends.

5. Freelance Writing

   If you are a strong writer with excellent research skills, freelance writing is always an option. You don’t necessarily need to choose a niche, but it will help you sell your services.

   Freelance writers write everything from blog posts to articles to emails to marketing copy and more. You will need an online portfolio, but this is simple to create on your own. There are plenty of portfolio sites that provide a free plan up to a certain number of samples.

6. Writing eBooks

   These can be either fiction or nonfiction. If you are a skilled fiction writer, this is an easy way to get your work out there and make money from it. If you aren’t a fiction writer, you only need writing and research skills to create nonfiction books.

   There are several options when it comes to selling your eBooks, but Amazon is the most common.

7. Selling Your Art

   If you are an artist, selling your art is always an option. You can sell one-of-a-kind pieces, or you can sell digital prints of your art.

   This will require some investment as you require supplies to create your art. It will also require a significant time investment. But, you are likely already investing that time, and it is easy to squeeze it into any small availability you have.

Miscellaneous Business Ideas for Teens

1. Car Washing

   People want to take care of their cars but often lack the time and motivation to actually get it done. By offering a car washing service, you can provide them with a needed service.

   You will need supplies, but they don’t cost a significant amount, and you may already have plenty on hand. The schedule is also relatively flexible, but you will likely spend time getting work done for clients on weekends.

2. Babysitting

   Good with kids? Babysitting is a common option for teens looking to make money. If you are good at what you do, you will get plenty of referrals from clients.

   This requires no investment at all but will require a significant time commitment. You are also tied to your clients’ schedules, but you can decline jobs that don’t suit your own. Commuting can be difficult, but you can often have the client pick you up if you don’t have your own car.

   It is recommended that you are certified in CPR if you want to start a babysitting business.

3. Pet Sitting

   The only requirement for starting a pet sitting business is being good with animals. Pets don’t require the same time commitment as children do, but you will still be expected to have reliable transportation—unless you watch the animals in your own home.

4. House Sitting

   This is another business option that will require some transportation. But, since housesitting does not typically require you to be there at a specific time, this will not be as difficult as it can be for other options on this list.

   Take care of plants, keep the house clean, check the alarms, make sure the doors are locked; it’s not complicated work. You will need to be trustworthy, though. And, having referrals from past clients will go a long way in getting more work.

5. Dog Walker

   Some people with busy schedules work late into the night or are not always available on weekends. If they have pets, they need someone to help them get exercise. Becoming a dog walker is an excellent way to bring in some money if you are good with dogs.

6. Podcasting

   Have something to say but don’t have the writing skills to become a blogger or eBook author? Podcasting is another option. This will require some investment as there is certain equipment that is needed to start. But, you can always get cheaper equipment in the beginning and upgrade as you start to bring in money.

   Podcasters make money through subscription services as well as advertisements.

7. Transcription

   Got a good ear? Transcription is when you listen to an audio file and transcribe what you hear. You are essentially reverse engineering a script.

   This requires no investment—although headphones and a pedal are helpful—but it does require a significant time investment. Still, you only need to meet deadlines. There is no set schedule for when you have to complete the work. It can be done before school, at lunch, late at night, whenever you can fit it in.

8. Lawn Care

   Have lawnmower, will sell lawn care services. Most neighborhoods have at least one teen traveling door-to-door and offering lawn care services. Many professionals simply don’t have the time to mow the lawn themselves and are happy to provide income to a local teen to take care of it for them.

   This option will require more investment and time commitment than others. You will likely already have the equipment you need to get started, but you will need reliable transportation, a means of transporting the equipment to the site, and the time available to complete the work.

Author

Samantha Goddiess

Samantha is a lifelong writer who has been writing professionally for the last six years. After graduating with honors from Greensboro College with a degree in English & Communications, she went on to find work as an in-house copywriter for several companies including Costume Supercenter, and Blueprint Education.