Summer can be a tricky time for teens. They want to earn money but are hesitant to begin a job they’ll leave in weeks as they head back to school or college. By thinking creatively about their strengths and interests, teenagers can start their own businesses and hustle up some cash before it ends. Ready to pass along some creative business ideas to your teen? Here are 10 great ones to get them started.
Sell handcrafted goods and homegrown plants
You can earn a few bucks from selling handmade items at your local farmer’s market or on community social media pages. Consider handcrafted items, like hair scrunchies and bows, home decor, or signs with quotes. Alternatively, you can grow annual flowers, vegetables, and herbs from seed and sell them for a profit.
[Read more: 10 Creative Craft Business Ideas]
Provide tech support and setup assistance
We all know someone who could use help getting their printer to work wirelessly or setting up a new tablet. These technology tasks might take you 15 minutes, whereas it’ll run close to an hour for those who are less tech-savvy. Offering your skills is a valuable service. Another option is to offer short training sessions for older adults who want to learn more about how to use technology. You can show your clients how to FaceTime with their family, for example, and give them a cheat sheet for their reference.
Start a pet or child check-in or babysitting service
Babysitting and pet sitting have long been excellent summer business ideas for teens. But, some parents don’t need full-day assistance. Instead, offer to stop by to let the dogs out throughout the day or make sure the kids have lunch. Don’t forget to market your services to families who got a pandemic pup that’s struggling with separation anxiety!
[Read more: How This Teen Entrepreneur Learned to Roll With Changes and Persevere Through Challenges]
Offer mobile car detailing
Head to your customer’s homes to give their vehicle a thorough cleaning. Consider marketing a Sunday car detailing service to families arriving home from vacation with a messy car. They’ll be pleased to get to unpacking while you ensure their vehicle is pristine for their Monday morning commute.
These technology tasks might take you 15 minutes, whereas it’ll run close to an hour for those who are less tech-savvy. Offering your skills is a valuable service.
Perform garage, shed, and porch clean-outs
Offer to freshen up or help organize exterior spaces. You can pull out summer supplies like chairs and cushions, clean off or grease hand gardening tools, and sweep the cobwebs out of sheds or porches. Once you’re done, put it all back together, so everything is easy to reach.
Help at parties or events
If you love parties, consider helping out at events. You can provide setup and cleanup services or assistance during the party. Tasks may include overseeing the kid games while the adults relax, blowing up and hanging balloons, and picking up trash after the event ends.
Remove junk or heavy items
Service-based business ideas are popular with teens. After all, many people could use an extra hand to remove an old microwave, TV, or broken chair from their home. Offer to remove the item from their home and stop back on garbage day to take it to the curb or load electronics into their car for TV drop-offs.
Start a virtual assistant business
Many local business owners don’t have time to update their websites, create TikTok videos, or take photos. You could provide a variety of digital services using your smartphone. Create short videos, snap pictures, and edit them for use on their website and social media channels.
[Read more: How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business]
Assist with yard maintenance and cleanup
Along with mowing grass, you could offer supportive services for those needing extra help tending to flowers, vegetable gardens, and landscaping. These projects could include pulling weeds or digging holes for transplants. Also, consider marketing to families looking for someone to pick up random garbage and toys their kids left behind, or you can offer pooper-scooper assistance to people with pets.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
Follow us on Instagram for more expert tips & business owners’ stories
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
Join us for our Small Business Day event!
Join us at our next event on Wednesday, May 1, at 12:00 p.m., where we’ll be kicking off Small Business Month alongside business experts and entrepreneurs. Register to attend in person at our Washington, D.C., headquarters, or join us virtually!
