Business ideas for teens – Top 25 ideas best suited for teen!

Are you a teenager looking to start a business of your own? In this post, we put together a list of some of the best business ideas for teens.

Business ideas for teens

You can start a successful business at any age. Starting a business when you are young can teach you valuable skills, that will be useful when you are older. There are several business opportunities for an enterprising teenager. Famous businesses started by young entrepreneurs were Facebook, Dell Inc, and Subway. In this blog, we explore some business ideas for teens.

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How to start a business as a teenager?

Starting a business as a teenager is not impossible. Many have great ideas but have no idea how to start a business as a teenager. With a little help and research, it is possible to turn your idea into a successful business.

What services will you offer? There are several business ideas for teens. Once you have an idea about what you plan to sell, teens businesses need to choose a name. The name should indicate the nature of your business. Find out if the name is being used by a product or business.

Market research will give you information about your competition and target audience. You will need to consider financing the money you have saved may not be enough. You may need to reach out for additional financing. You will need to have a budget and plan how you will repay any investors.

Acquire the equipment and hire people if required. Start marketing your business.

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How old do you have to be to start a business?

A common question asked by teens entrepreneur is, how old do you have to be to start a business? People under 18 cannot form legal business organizations. But their parents can form it on their behalf. Some states in the US allow children to be shareholders and to serve on the board of directors. You need to consult an attorney for guidance. Parents can sign contracts on behalf of their children.

Teens entrepreneurs can run some businesses. Businesses need permits and licenses to operate. But, states and cities are making it easier for teen entrepreneurs to start a business. You need to submit the right paperwork to start your business. Local officials should be able to tell you more about compliance requirements. Businesses must meet the legal requirement and pay taxes if applicable.

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Top 25 small business ideas for teens

Business ideas for teens need to account for the school schedule. The business should need limited resources including startup capital. Depending on the age of the teen transportation can be a problem. Teens can focus on home-based businesses where the business will be easier to operate. Teenage businesses need to consider the school schedule and extra-curricular of the teen. Entrepreneurship ideas for teens should require a low financial investment.

Let’s now look at the top 25 small business ideas for teens.

1. Affiliate marketing teenage business ideas

Affiliate marketing is a teenage business idea that requires little to no investment. The affiliate earns a commission for marketing another people or company product. They earn a commission or piece of the profit for each sale they make. Affiliate links help to track sales. You can start affiliate marketing from your smartphone.

2. Home tutoring business ideas for teenagers

If you are a good student you can start a home tutoring business. The business ideas for teenagers involve creating a lesson plan and helping students understand and complete their assignments. The startup costs are minimal, you may need to invest in advertising your services. Experienced tutors can charge $30-$40/hour.

3. Soap-making business for kids

Soap-making is a good opportunity to create something from your hand. Soap making is a skill that is easy to acquire but requires practice. Soap-making business for kids requires you to purchasing raw material. You need to spend some money marketing your product. You create your fragrances by combing different scents. The business has a healthy profit margin.

4. Data entry business ideas for kids

If you are comfortable using spreadsheets and working with data, you can start a data entry business. The business ideas for kids have flexible work hours and the chance to learn an important skill. You need to be accurate and complete the work on schedule.

5. Gift wrapping small business ideas for kids

If you are creative you can start a gift wrapping business. Small business ideas for kids can bring in extra money during the holidays. You can set up a booth near the departmental store or work from home. You will need to invest in supplies and booths.

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6. Test prep teen entrepreneurship

If you are good at cracking exams you can start a test prep business. Teen entrepreneurship can focus on exams like SAT or ACT. High school students can get clients easily. You can use test preparation books and advice the students on how to score better. The investment costs are low you need to prepare some books. Test prepare tutors can charge more than regular tutors.

7. Babysitting teen business idea

Babysitting or child care business is a popular teen business idea. You can complete a course of American Red Cross for babysitting and child care. You can look offer your services after school or on weekends.

8. Lawn care for teens entrepreneurs

Teen entrepreneurs who can mow lawns can start a lawn mowing business. They can contact their neighbours for business. You can help plant new flowers or plants, rake the leaves in the fall, or remove weeds.

9. Housecleaning kids business ideas

Housecleaning businesses are a great business idea for teens. Homeowners will be happy to pay teenagers to dust, mop, and clean houses. The kid’s business ideas require low investment.

10. Make money as a teen as a photographer

Teenagers who have a good camera can become a photographer. You can make money as a teen by becoming a photographer during events or sell photos of local events to local media. You can try retailing your photographs for greeting cards, calendars, or t-shirts. You can take professional photographs for local businesses.

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11. T-Shirt design best online stores for teens

If you are creative you can start a t-shirt design business. You can sell your products on e-commerce websites. Some of the best online stores for teens are a Facebook marketplace, Amazon, Etsy, or Izzonet. Remember to show your products on your social media platform.

12. Social media influencers good business ideas for teens

If you are skilled with social media become a social media influencer. It is a good idea for teens if you can promote products and services. Becoming a social media influencer required time and patience. You need to post high-quality content and photos for your social media page.

13. Sewing small business ideas for teenage girls

Teenagers who sew well can start a sewing business. If you are a talented seamstress is an excellent small business idea for a teenage girl. The hours are flexible, and the initial investment is low. You can start repairing and alter clothes. You can offer to design clothes for school plays or repair school uniforms.

14. Blogging side hustle for teens

Blogging can help teens earn money online. If you enjoy research and writing, blogging can be an excellent side hustle for teens. Blog monetization requires patience and persistence. It can become a fantastic passive income machine. Remember to share your blog on your social media to increase the number of readers.

15. Sell on Etsy for teens making money online

The internet has opened doors to teens wanting to launch a home business. If you are creative, you can sell your products on Etsy, ArtLife, or e-Crater. You can sell handmade jewellery, crafts, etc. You can sell your products at the local flea market.

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16. Car washing kid businesses that make money

Car washing is one of the kid businesses that make money. Everyone likes to drive a clean car, but not everyone has the time to clean it. To start your car washing business you need to invest in a bucket, microfiber cloth, window cleaner, and elbow grease for polishing. It is a job you can do over the weekend.

17. Graphic seller best side hustles for teens

If you are a skilled designer, you can become a graphic designer. It is one of the best side hustle for teens. You can create printable or online graphics and sell them in a downloadable format.

18. Lifeguard or swim instructor summer projects for teenagers

Teenagers who swim well can become a lifeguard or swim instructor job. For these summer projects for teenagers, you will need to clear water safety and life-saving exams. You can earn a steady income at public pools, private clubs, swimming pools, and pool parties.

19. Cooking and baking teen entrepreneur ideas

If you are a talented cook or baker, you can use your skill as a base for teen entrepreneur ideas. You can make cookies, muffins, or cooked meals. Use social media for advertising your products. You can start catering to small events. If you decorate cakes you can offer cake decorating services to local bakers.

20. Get paid for playing games young entrepreneurs ideas

Many teenagers enjoy playing games online. Young entrepreneur’s idea is getting paid to play games. Remember not to get addicted to playing games on your smartphone or PC. Websites like VeryDice, Long Game Saving, and App Cents are some games that offer payment.

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21. Making jam kid-friendly business ideas

Creating jam is a great kid-friendly business idea if you like cooking. The investment cost of the business is low. You can try selling your products in local markets or bazaars. You can sell your products to local restaurants.

22. Tech support kid entrepreneur ideas

If you are tech-savvy, a great kid entrepreneur ideas are giving tech support. You can set up your business at home, businesses can call or chat with you to help them solve their tech problems.

24. Delivery service money-making ideas for teens

Service providers like Uber Eats, Door Dash, UPS, and Postmates are always on the lookout for delivery executives. Many service providers allow you to use your car, and you can make good tips. It is a good money-making idea for teens.

25. Candle making things to sell to make money as a teenager

If you are creative, one of the things that makes money as a teenager – candles. It is a business you can start at home. You can sell your candles to friends and family, craft fairs, online on your website, or through Etsy. The investment costs are low. Growths and profits will depend on your volumes.

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How to make money online under 18?

There are several options to make money online if you are under 18. Here are our top three suggestions for things you can do when you are 18.

• YSense (over 16 years)– You get paid for viewing advertisements. Premium members get more benefits with the chance to get paid more. You get paid via PayPal.
• Fiverr (over 13 years) – There are several business ideas for teens available on Fiverr. You can create Gig for services you want to provide – commenting on blogs, advertise on social media, and write articles. 
• Global Test Market (over 14 years) – Global Test Market is a survey website that lets users earn, “Market Points” for completing surveys. The points can be redeemed for Amazon vouchers, PayPal, and Argos vouchers.

How to make money at 16?

Here are the best teenage job ideas for 16-year old –

• You can look for part-time jobs in retail and food service.
• If you are creative and can make something that others want to buy, you can sell your craft on Etsy. 
• You can tutor or coach younger students.
• You can offer pet-sitting and house-sitting services. You can look for potential clients on websites like care.com.
• You can buy a few car cleaning supplies and start a car detailing business.

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How to make money as a 14-year-old?

14-year-olds are old enough to get working permits in most states. Babysitting is a popular job for teenage girls. American Red Cross offers babysitting classes to prepare 11 to 15-year-olds for babysitting. You can work in a restaurant or a store. If you are energetic and enjoy the outdoor, you can consider yard work and shovelling. If you love animals, you can take dogs for walks every day and looking after them if the owners are unavailable. Summer jobs like junior counselors are a great way to make some money. You will work under the supervision of the counselor.

How can 12-year old make money?

Legally 12 years old are not eligible for after-school jobs like working in a supermarket. Parents need to assess the maturity of their children to ensure they are suitable. Here are ways for 12-year-olds to make money –

• Babysitting is a popular job for 12 years old. Red Cross has classes to prepare kids for babysitting training them in CPR and first aid.
• Yard work tasks such as planting flowers, pulling out weeds, shovelling, and raking leaves in the fall are great ways to earn cash. 
• If they can handle dogs, they can become a dog walker.