There are countless options for teen entrepreneurs to explore, from tutoring to online content creation. Below, we cover a few options and how you can get started.
Tutoring
If there is an academic subject (or multiple subjects) you are particularly talented in and the idea of sharing your knowledge sounds appealing to you, consider tutoring. As an academic tutor, you could focus on math, writing, science, music or other topics students may need extra help with or offer tutoring in more than one. You could also specialize in standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT.
Many people start tutoring by joining an agency or platform, such as Tutorpeers. If you start on your own, you’ll want to think about how to advertise so you can reach clients, how much you’ll charge and whether you’ll be meeting people in a set location or going to their homes.
Childcare
Childcare is another reliable teen business idea to try. Childcare can come with a flexible schedule, and you’ll learn if you like working with children and gain important skills such as negotiating in people-facing roles. Childcare providers typically charge per hour, so you’ll want to find an appropriate starting rate for your area. If you start working with an agency, you can expect to pay an agency fee. You can also start by advertising in online and local forums or build a client base through word of mouth.
Handmade Products
If you are crafty, consider developing a personal or home care product. Many people appreciate handmade products and there are plenty of options to consider. Once you find a product you like, you can look into selling it locally or online.
Though these projects start small, you never know where they will lead or what you’ll learn along the way. Visual storyteller Annalisa van den Bergh developed an all-natural cat repellent spray and potpourri made from citrus and citronella in high school. The idea started as an eighth-grade science fair project:
“My family’s two cats kept scratching our furniture and I wanted to create a nontoxic way to deter them from it. It was eventually sold at two pet stores in the East Village of NYC and became a very popular item, as it was especially appealing to that market. It was my first experience creating and branding a product and it was interesting to see how the sprays sold well despite—though probably because of—their homemade, DIY look,” van den Bergh shared.
Photography
There are lots of ways to start a photography business. To start, you’ll want to develop a portfolio of work if you don’t have one already. Then, think about the different types of commercial photography that people typically pay for, such as wedding photography and portraits, and develop a portfolio specifically tailored to the service that you want to provide. While the first gigs you do may only be to gain experience, eventually, when people see your work and know you can deliver what they want, they will feel confident hiring you.
Photography can open the door to exploring lots of skills and interests beyond the medium itself. Taking photographs of people requires knowing how to make someone feel comfortable. You learn a lot of social skills on the job that can translate well to other professions. Photoshoots at high-stakes events, such as weddings, will give you experience working in a high-pressure environment and an opportunity to see if you are well-suited for it. You’ll also develop your photography and editing skills with each gig you take on.
“At 16, I started a photography and videography business on my own, putting my interests in cameras and architecture into a way to make money,” California-based photographer and videographer Jackson McKinney told Forbes Advisor. “From taking pictures of homes for sale to high school athletes getting endorsements, I quickly learned that I could make more money doing what I love. The experience not only made me feel better about myself, but it also led to real estate jobs that made me want to study business more in college and start my own businesses,” he shared.
Reselling
If the idea of developing a product from scratch seems overwhelming, you can experiment with selling products online by listing items you no longer need. You’ll have to think through whether any items you no longer need, such as clothes, will make a good product to list online and find the right platform or app to sell it. You’ll also need to photograph your item, give it a title, write a description, answer any questions customers ask you and properly wrap and ship the product to the buyer.
This whole process will help you become more comfortable selling online. If you want to continue, you could turn it into an ongoing business by buying and reselling products or developing your own.
Selling Artwork
If you love to make art, selling your own work could be a great way to learn about what people like and build a business out of something you already love to do. Depending on your skill set and interests, there are many different directions to explore, including selling your work online or locally. You could decide to sell custom-made work or the work you already have. If you decide to sell locally, think about the different ways to connect with people or partnering with businesses in your neighborhood. For example, cafes often display artwork for sale.
Online Content Creation
If you enjoy being in front of a camera and want to explore a public-facing media profession, content creation could be a good online business idea to consider. Before you start, spend some time coming up with a focus for the content you want to share. Maybe you have a special skill and can share information about it online. Or maybe you want to talk about a hobby you are invested in and know a lot about. Your content can be short-form for platforms like TikTok and Instagram or long-form content on YouTube. Doing your research can help you learn about and brainstorm the different possibilities for your own channel. Or, you can just jump right in and learn as you go.
Neighborhood Services
Offering lawn mowing or other services that are needed locally could be a great way to start a business. Think about your current skills or which ones you want to learn—painting houses, repairs and landscaping, for example. If you end up receiving a lot of work, you might think about scaling, adding more services to your business or even adding someone else to your team. You’ll develop your customer service skills, people skills and business management skills.
House-Sitting or Pet Care
In the realm of caretaking and people-facing professions, house-sitting is another job to explore. Different online platforms can help you connect with people looking for house sitters or pet sitters, such as Rover and TrustedHousesitters. Some people will need someone to take care of their plants or will have special instructions about how to take care of their homes while they are gone. Since people will be trusting you with their pets and homes, you’ll want to make sure you understand what they need and have a plan if you need to contact them with any questions that come up or if anything unexpected happens.