As a teen starting her own business?

Question

What type of business is proper? And what products should I get for the business and from where?

Answer 1

I applaud for taking the steps to start your own business. The first thing I suggest you do is to think about what type of people you will have the most success selling to. Are you selling to fellow teenagers and do they have enough money to buy your product? Perhaps, are you selling to parents and adults?

Once, you've determined, which audience you're going to have the most success, you'll want to concetrate on products or services that those people are looking for? Here's a few ideas that you can play with and see if they are types of things that you can do.

1) Parents are interested in kids lives, but often don't have time to follow their children 24 hours a day. Parents understand that they can be clueless about everything that's going on. An opportunity would be start a newsletter for parents which cost $2-3 dollars per copy or $10-15 per monthly membership. You can send out a newsletter about what's going on in school. What kind of troubles are kids facing. You can include true stories as well. Frictions that kids are having with parents. Or myspace.com stories that parents and communities would like to know about. It's a good idea to protect people's identities when you write about them.

2) Try organizing a service that would be helpful to families and there homes. These includes housekeeping, gardening, and painting. You and a few of your friends can stick fliers in mailboxes advertising the services, along with a telephone to call. Promise to be cheap and that you're student at the local High School. You might want to advertise yourselves at a local gathering, such as pot luck or bake-off. Here you and your fellow entrepreneurs would wear uniforms and hand out fliers, while at the bake sale event or church event.

There are many more things that you can do, but these are a good start for teenagers that doesn't need a lot of upfront capital.

Answer 2

Think of all your interests & ask yourself if any of those could be expanded into a business. Just keep in mind...what's your expertise? What are your interests? What could you imagine yourself doing?

By researching the prospect of starting your own business -- what it entails, what you need to know, helpful hints, etc -- you'll feel better prepared to take that plunge.

I found some book titles that are relevant to your specific question:

* Generation, Inc: The 100 Best Businesses for Young Entrepreneurs by Elina Furman, Leah Furman
* The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business (Completely Revised and Updated) by Steve Mariotti
* The Young Entrepreneur's Edge: Using Your Ambition, Independence, and Youth to Launch a Successful Business (Princeton Review Series) by Jennifer Kushell
* Upstart Start-Ups!: How 34 Young Entrepreneurs Overcame Youth, Inexperience, and Lack of Money to Create Thriving Businesses by Ron Lieber

I also posted some article links in the source box.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

As a teen, starting your own business would be kinda hard. Not to shoot your dreams down or anything...it is possible. But a good idea is, you could sell Mary Kay or Avon...it gives you a sense of being your own boss and selling your own products, you just go through those companies. But on the other hand, you could always make really cute jewelry and sell it.

Answer 4

You are on the right track asking questions. Learning as much as you can is to your advantage. If you sign up on all the newsletters you can find, you will get even more information to help you get started.

I have found some helpful ebooks and information and articles at this site and by making a decision to start, I am now seeing results. If I was still "thinking" about starting a business I would just be thinking not making money.

Make your decision to start today.

Answer 5

I have seen teens with sites.

From what I know, you have to be 18. Many teens involved with my company usually have their biz in their parents name but it's their business.

Answer 6

It's easiest if you already have some knowledge of an industry or a market. So try to pin point what interests you already have and which you like to expound upon.

Answer 7

try this
www.sba.gov click teens link