How Your Teenager Can Start His or Her Own Business

Your Teen Can Own a Micro Business
How to Launch It in Ten Simple Steps
by Carol Topp, CPA

“I want to walk dogs; what do I need to do to get started?” asked a teen boy. I had inspired him to think about starting a micro business and he was ready to get going!


I encourage teenagers to start very small businesses—micro businesses. A micro business is a one-person business that can be started easily, usually without any up-front cash, using what a teenager already owns. Micro businesses are usually home-based and very flexible so a busy student can keep up with homework, sports and a social life.

Teenagers can use their skills to develop businesses such as teaching guitar lessons, doing web design or caring for children. Other teenagers have started micro businesses by offering services such as house cleaning, pet care, and lawn mowing. One easy-to-start micro business is tutoring. Some students tutor math, Spanish or computer programs such as Photoshop.

After your teenager has an idea, he or she can launch a micro business in a short amount of time with very little start up money. Share these starting steps with your teen:

1. Conduct a mini market survey. Start by asking a few potential customers if they need your service and what price they are willing to pay.


2. Decide on a price. From the mini-market survey, you should be able to set a fair price. You may get your first customers by undercharging the competition. One teenager charged half what other piano teachers charged and quickly had eight students.


3. Volunteer a few jobs to practice your business skills and build a reputation. Use recommendations from these jobs in your future advertising. Sarah took senior pictures as a favor for a friend and received three other jobs from referrals.


4. Launch your first advertising campaign. Try to use free advertising such as emails, Facebook posts and handing out fliers to friends and neighbors.


5. Work your plan on a small scale. Start with one customer at first. Learn a lot from that experience and grow slowly.


6. Evaluate, adjust and change. As you grow in experience, you may be able to charge more. You will probably need to create a payment policy. Sarah discovered that she needed to be paid up front and have a cancellation policy when she scheduled photo shoots.


7. Pick a name and register it. Usually, you can use your own name, such as Cathy Smith's Babysitting Service, without needing a name registration. If you do want a business name, learn what your state or local government requires. This website is a good place to start: http://www.business.gov/register/business-name/dba.html


8. Open a checking account. Accountants usually recommend a separate business checking account to keep from mixing personal and business expenses. A teenager can usually get by with one checking account, if you keep good records. Usually a parent must agree to be a co-signer on a checking account for minors.


9. Read up on taxes. You’ll need to file your own tax return, may owe federal or state income tax, and may be subject to self-employment tax also. Self-employment tax is Social Security and Medicare taxes for self-employed people.


10. Learn about customer service, marketing and record keeping. Become a student of business and seek to be continually learning more. Read books, take a business class, find a mentor and ask a lot of questions.

Carol Topp, CPA advises teenage business owners through her Micro Business for Teens book series. Carol’s day job is accountant to business owners, and she enjoys teaching teenagers to succeed beyond their dreams. Students appreciate how she shares what they need to know in clear and helpful lessons. Her website is MicroBusinessForTeens.com

Read more...

The Facebook Guide Every Parent MUST Read!

I grew up in a time before the internet.

Before anyone had even heard the term "internet."

Now I'm raising children in an era that everything seems to revolve around the internet.

Ugh!  That's the only word to describe how I feel about it sometimes.

Did you know...according to the Crimes Against Children Research Center, 1 in 5 U.S. teens have received a unwanted sexual solicitation via the web.

Scary enough, huh?  Would you be even more frightened to learn that 75 percent of children are willing to share their personal information in exchange for goods or services?

And social networking sites such as Facebook are the perfect location for predators of all kinds.

It's with this in mind that SupremeSocial.com is introducing their latest ebook and videos:  Facebook Guide for Parents.

This easy-to-understand and use guide tells parents everything they need to know about establishing their own presence on Facebook and monitoring their children's accounts.

A no-muss, no-fuss guide that gets straight to the point.  No fluff. No filler.  Everything you need to know to get started on Facebook in under half an hour.

Need a visual step by step?  Although included in the ebook, Facebook Guide for Parents also includes videos that offers narrated videos with the same detailed instructions.

I didn't necessarily agree with some of what I deem "Politically Correct" tips on being Facebook friends (or not) with your child (I'm a dictator parent, I admit it); however, I found this well-written ebook to be a one I can highly recommend reading by any parent with a child online - especially those on Facebook.

To learn more about Facebook Guide for Parents from SupremeSocial.com, visit http://www.facebookguideforparents.com/.  Although not yet published, a release date is expected soon.

Facebook Guide for Parents and SupremeSocial.com are not affiliated with Facebook Corporation.  SupremeSocial.com provided a free copy of the aforementioned ebook to The Mom Trap in exchange for a honest, uncensored review.

Read more...

18 Year Old Birthday Ideas....Anyone?

It's Aloha Friday time! Hosted by Kailani at An Island Life.

Seems like forever since I joined in. Actually, seems like forever since I've updated my blog.

Definitely getting harder to do these days with a one-year-old running loose. :)

Anyways....Can you believe on Tuesday I will have an 18-year-old son? I can't!



Seems like just yesterday he was I was holding him in my arms. Unsure what to do with his little wrinkled, red self. (Not to mention that funky cone shaped head where the doctor vaccuumed him out...lol)

Before I get all weepy...

He doesn't want a big shindig from Mom and Dad - which I understand, being a guy and all - but I'd like to do something a little extra special for this birthday besides the standard cake, ice cream, gift.

What would be something a little extra special I could do
for an 18-year-old boy's man's birthday?

Read more...

Gotta Love 'Em!

Sunday afternoon my 17-year-old son tells me he found Jesus.

Then shows me this photo.

I think he needs to find a new facial expression.

But I love him anyway. :)

Read more...

The 17 Year Old and The KGB Incident

In less than a year, my oldest (17) will leave for college.

I am really, really afraid of what will happen when he doesn't have mom to help squash the stupidity everyday.

The other day, I got our cell phone bill in the mail. It usually averages $110 per month.

Brian, who initially would have only sent a text kicking and screaming, has suddenly found that it's a handy dandy little way to talk with someone without all the useless conversation in between.

So, a month here and there, the bill will reach $120. (No unlimited text plan for Brian....yet!)

This month: $140.

Doesn't sound bad, right? Maybe to some, but I keep a tight reign on our expenses.

Amazing that my first thought wasn't the guy who has just learned texting as the culprit.

No, I immediately thought of the 17-year-old.

And, of course, I was right.

He didn't suddenly start texting out of network.

He didn't go over his allotted minutes.

He did decide he was going to text that silly KGB group. You've see the advertisements, right?

Text any question to 542542 and they'll answer it.

So when I confronted him with it, know what he said?

"I thought that counted in my unlimited texting."

Um, no. [insert an eye roll] Did you not see (or hear) that it's 99 cents per text?

He replies, "Sorry. No."

Brain dead.

Nothing going on up there.

Selective reading/hearing.

Obviously.

So I made him give me $20.

He wasn't happy.

I didn't care.

Bet he doesn't do that again.

Read more...

Hip Hop Bling.Com Offers The Latest and Hottest Fashions

It's back to school time, and the kiddies always want to be stylish for that first day back.

And sporting really cool Bling Bling is in!

With a huge selection of hip hop bling - from grillz to belt buckles, dog tags to spinners - your fashionista is sure to find something s/he just has to have. (My 17-year-old son immediately found a belt buckle he wants!)

Also, don't forget the Christmas season is quickly approaching and Hip Hop Bling is a great place to get started on that gift buying!

Read more...

Conversations With Stupidity

There are so many thoughts running through my head as I write this that I'm not sure I can snatch a random one.

The first thing that comes to mind is the nutty conversation I had with my 13-year-old son.

Before the story gets started, I've got to tell you that every single day - sometimes many times per day - his girlfriend (also 13) calls him. Together they sit and watch television, or play video games online.

So, at the moment this begins, my brain dead teen has the phone to his ear and the 'puter mouse in hand. Telephonically and virtually, they are together.

Then suddenly the brain dead child turns to me and says, "Can I go to the library with her?"

My first thought and response come simultaneously: "What?"

He says, "The library? Can I go?"

Knowing that he seldom cracks even a textbook and recreational reading is something he makes jokes about, I asked, "Why?"

"She's going," he says.

"And?," I reply with an exaggerated motion of the head and shoulders.

"And what?" says the oh great dense one.

"And what do you plan to do? At. The. Library. The Place with BOOKS," I say.

"We're going to get on the computer."

I shake my head as if to rattle out the stupidity that may have slipped in with his sentence and say, "You're on a computer. Right now."

He turns to look at me and I can see that the IQ level is continuing to drop. Then he confirms it. "Theirs are faster."

At this point, I just lose it and begin laughing; as does my seventeen-year-old son who is not as much brain dead these days.

"What?" says brainiac.

Mr. 17 pipes up and says, "Um, they're so full of crap with downloads and other stuff that they're slower. And you have to wait in line for one. Then you have a 1 hour time limit."

"I don't think so, but whatever-", says the 13-year-old know-it-all.

Who then returns to the conversation with his girlfriend and says, "I can't go." And when she must have asked why, he says, "I don't know. Something about I'm on one that's better and I don't need to go."

Yep, still brain dead. And at 13, it'll be a few years before the fog lifts.

God save us all! :)

Read more...

Fighting Teens Leads to A VERY Clean Sidewalk - And Peace!

You would think brothers ages 17 and 13 couldn't find so much to fight about.

But they do. And they did.

And I was sick and tired of it.

So I decided to make my Tackle It Tuesday project one of supervision while they tackled the project I had planned to do.

Cleaning our sidewalk that hasn't been cleaned since moving here in April 1994:

While they still fought it out a little bit after they began scrubbing and then power-pressure rinsing, they quickly figured out it would take twice as long to get it done at that pace.

After that was over, my nerves thoroughly frayed, I did learn something: oh boy, do teenage boys come in hand at tackling the tough jobs! And they're mighty handy with a pressure washer too!


I am so proud to say, even after their task was complete, my oldest boy continued - WITHOUT BEING TOLD - to pressure wash the entire house, shutters, gutters, and trim!

And the best part? There has been peace in my house ever since! ;)

Read more...

Summer Job Ideas for Teens

It's that time of year again when the children are being paroled from the classroom and eager to begin their summer adventures.

For teens, however, it can be a time to make a little cash for those extras such as cars and clothes on which they like to splurge.

Unfortunately, part time jobs can be a little hard to come by today, so teens are left to use their imagination to find ways to earn money. Instead of filling out numerous applications, maybe your teen would be interested in a little entrepreneurship. The following are some ideas that may work for your teen:

1. Tree & shrub trimming
   
2. Lawn mowing
   
3. Auto detailing
   
4. Driveway sealing
   
5. Packing & moving assistance
   
6. Babysitting
   
7. Pool cleaning
   
8. Tutoring
   
9. Errand & delivery service
   
10. Pet walking
    
11. Painting
    
12. Garage/attic/house cleaning
    
13. Junk removal
    
14. Pet sitting
    
15. Tag/Yard sale coordinator
    
16. Recycling (picking up cans, bottles, etc.) for cash

Whatever job or service your teen decides to do, if they are choosing to do it on their own, it's a great time to learn about managing your a small business. I highly recommend reading Job Ideas for Teens 15 And Younger: Beyond Babysitting and Lemonade Stands; an article that provides in-depth information on how to promote your business, how to make a profit, and more.

With a little bit of elbow grease, it could easily be a profitable summer for teens!

Read more...

Inexpensive Laptop Recommendation (Perfect for Teens!)

When my oldest son entered high school, we suddenly realized how important having his own computer was going to be. After all, there is a great deal of research, writing, and online reading assignments given in these days of mega technology.

So I went in search of a laptop which was favored by both of us considering that we used only a bulky desktop in the house at that time. However, I realized just how careless at times my son could be with things and didn't want to invest a the large sums of money I was finding attached to laptops.

After I had searched Dell, Gateway, and numerous other computer retailers, I decided to give eBay a try.

It was there that I found the perfect deal through eBay seller CSR Technologies: a refurbished Dell Latitude D400 for $320.00 (shipping included).

This light, compact laptop is great for the teenage user and, being refurbished, was just as easy on the purse. And teens love it because it comes with a built in network card that connects to the internet anywhere Wi-Fi is available.

The sales and service on the laptop was very professional and shipping was done quickly. In addition the customer service was tremendous as, before purchasing, I had numerous questions.

My son has been using this computer for over a year now and we have experienced no trouble whatsoever with it. Of course, a year later this particular model is becoming obsolete but CSR Technologies is now offering Dell Latitude D610 at the same price.

While the Dell is what I recommend, if you prefer a another brand there are many eBay sellers that sell a refurbished laptop at a great price. For me, until my son reaches college, this is the only way I'll be purchasing his computers!

Read more...

13 of the Dumbest Things Teenagers Say (Thursday Thirteen)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

This week I'm doing 13 of the dumbest things that teenagers say (courtesy of my own two teens!):

1. Everybody else has one/is doing it.
   
   
2. I'm smarter than (insert a parent/grandparent/etc).
   
   
3. Can I go to/have [insert some forbidden place/thing here]. This is usually followed by number 1.
   
   
4. I'm the only one that doesn't have one/can't do it. (Very similar to number 1, but usually reserved for serious guilt trips.)
   
   
5. When I leave home, I'm never coming back (Um, yeah, please don't! - but you will).
   
   
6. All we need is love. (Said about serious girl/boyfriend and future. Of course, truthfully, I miss the innocence of this one.)
   
   
7. I'll never [insert something like "ground my children"].
   
   
8. It's not mine [this generation of teens bases their on the O.J. Simpson bit of "if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit" theory - it worked much better for O.J.].
   
   
9. I didn't do it [when they know and you know they did].
   
   
10. I don't know [when said in response to a question s/he obviously doesn't want to answer].
    
    
11. I don't need to study. (Okay, Einstein!)
    
    
12. [Insert friend's name] parents will be there. (And you don't think I'll check?)
    
    
13. That can't happen to me [usually relates to mortality, illness - and is usually a thought versus being spoken].
    

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!
Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Read more...