How to start a business with no money as a kid

A young entrepreneur selling lemonade at a very affordable price; finding the right price is the key to success.

Rachael Voorhees via Flickr

Under 15 and Want to Start a Business?

Under the age of 15, it is hard to find ways to earn money. You can't drive, are too young to be hired by a restaurant or business, and it's still risky to sell to strangers without a trusted adult around (and without new customers, a business cannot grow). However, a little bit of help from a parent or another trusted adult can make a world of difference!

Have a knack for cooking? Begin your own sweets bakery, making cakes for everything from birthdays and anniversaries to graduations!

Cool-Gogoulaki via Deviantart

What Do You Like to Do?

The very first thing is figuring out what you like to do that other people might pay you for. For example, you could:

• Make and sell jewelry
• Babysit or pet-sit
• Edit photos or videos
• Bake
• Wash cars
• Clean
• Do yard work

That idea is the beginning of your own business!

The most important part of all of this is that you enjoy the activity. If you try one job out and don't like it after the first few gigs, think about it some more and choose something that might work better. Ask an adult to help you brainstorm activities that use your passions, talents, and strengths for your business!

Discuss the Basics With Parents

Once the type of business is decided, it is time for the big talk with the parents. Parents will have to take care of everything from taxes and paperwork to legal matters and bank accounts, so they must be involved and have some influence in the business. This is not to scare anyone off, as an unofficial business could still be operated. However, should it become highly successful and profitable, it will be necessary to make it official so that taxes can be paid as required. This is highly unlikely as most kids do not earn a livable income from the small odd jobs that they find, so it is not a huge concern for the most part.

Customers, Promotion, Scheduling, and Working

Once you've got your idea, these are the most important parts of beginning your own business!

When you know what you will be doing, you have to let people know what service or good you are offering! This is called promotion. From telling people (either in person or through email or social media) to posting signs, get the word out that you are the person to go to for what you are selling. This will begin to pull in customers.

Once customers begin to flow in, you will have to learn how to properly schedule your customers so that you can work for them during their free time, after school, or on weekends. Ask your parents for help coming up with a system so you do not miss appointments. Home-schooled kids tend to have a bit more flexibility, so this is a wonderful opportunity for those students.

Once the customers are scheduled, you can begin to work! All kids should discuss this with their parents, as you may need assistance with promotion, communicating with customers, determining prices and rates, and transportation.

How to Determine Prices and Rates

It is important to remember that supply and demand is what determines how high of a price is on a service or product.

Supply means how much of your product or service is out there. For example, if you're mowing lawns, the supply for your service is how many other people are also offering to mow lawns where you are.

Demand means how many people want your product or service. Live in a neighborhood with a lot of rock gardens, or with very few yards? Not as many people need their lawns mowed, so the demand for your service would be lower than if you lived in a place where everyone has a lawn.

If there is a low supply and a high demand, you can charge more money. If there is a high supply and very little demand, you can't charge as much money—you might even need to sell something else. Your business choice should reflect this. A low rate helps beat out competition, but it could mean that you are working for too little as well. A price that is too high will deter customers. Compare your ideal rates to those of businesses and other service providers in your area. It should be slightly lower than the competition. This way, customers will see that they have the opportunity to get the service or product and save money!

Check out this vintage ad for a lemonade stand. These days, kids are a lot less likely to try to earn money from the world around them through different odd jobs. Our kids can change that and become the new age child entrepreneurs!

Jamie via Flickr

How to Promote a Child's Business

When you decide to start a business, your parent will likely be involved in a lot of the work. Ads must be created in all different forms and sizes, complete with text, photos, and more. A phone number, email address, Facebook page, and website should all be set up. This gives potential customers more methods of communication, making it easier for them to order the service or product.

Ads should be placed on online classifieds, in newspapers, at popular pedestrian corners, on store billboards, and more. Door-to-door advertising, and calling up friends and family are both options. Word-of-mouth is a very important form of advertising when it comes to the business of a kid, as it is more likely that the potential customers are safe.

And once you get someone to buy from you, keep in touch! They're more likely to buy again than someone who never has. Keep phone number lists, email sign-up programs, regularly updated Facebook pages, and more. By keeping in contact with past customers, they will not forget the business and will be much more likely to return for more in the future.

Keeping a very detailed schedule will help you learn not only responsibility and organization skills, but also time management and customer management. Vital skills as a young entrepreneur!

Lecates via Flickr

Scheduling Customers for Services and Products

Once potential customers begin responding to ads, you or your parents can begin responding to the interested consumers and building schedules. Keeping a schedule of your clients and their needs allows you to keep your tasks neat and tidy, complete all projects on time, and keep all customers happy. You wouldn't want to forget about someone who wants to buy something from you—he or she likely won't come back!

A schedule is very important, because it is very bad if a customer is forgotten or enough time is not allocated for a particular job. You also do not want to be late for a job or appointment. Keeping everything organized, punctual, and satisfactory is very professional and keeps customers happy.

Working and Keeping Customers Happy!

After everything else, it's time to work! You can set up your business so that you are paid before or after services are performed or products are sent to the customer. Different business models require different payment structures. After the transaction is complete and the work is finished, you will be very happy to see that the customer is enthralled with your work; this is very rewarding!

In order to keep the customer happy, you need to offer fair prices and helpful services or products, stay true to your word, do all of the work as you have advertised, be on time with your job and delivery, be kind and appreciative to the customer, and thank them. This builds a worker's and a business's reputation through testimonial sites and word of mouth. Keep your customers happy and word will spread—bringing more business for you!

Never Give up

Once a business has been started, it will be easy for the business to flop over and fail. I cannot stress enough how important it is to continuously care for and believe in your business. If the owner is not wholeheartedly involved in the operation, it will not stand a chance. By keeping up with your businesses needs and nurturing it, the company will stand to see many more positive, profitable, and promising days. Never ever give up on your business; remember, the going will become rough at times, and it is up to you to triumph over the challenges!

Comments

?????????? on August 26, 2020:

, I'm 10 and I want to start an entertaining business (books, newspaper, maybe news and Radio/broadcasting) with my friend. We try to make our books funny and we are thinking of making our own currency called toad money cause a lot of our jokes include toads so we call it toad humor. But the thing is I don't know where to start like do I make a website, do I start selling, do I start making products or do I get other people to help me

Thanks for reading

Sakshi rana on August 25, 2020:

I am 11 year old I want to start my own bangel business

selena on August 22, 2020:

i am 11 and want to start my own business

Mateo on August 20, 2020:

hi there I'm 14 and I want to start my own business

Mystery on August 18, 2020:

Hey there! I'm 12 and wanna start a business. Any tips?

Hugh jass on August 18, 2020:

Hi my name is Hugh jass and I want to start a baking business with my baby

Hannah on August 16, 2020:

Hi my name is Hannah and I am 10 years old me and my brothers and sister want to start a baking business to make our neighbors live easier by cooking and baking them meals and desserts so they can not worried about making supper the next day the only problem is is that I don't know how to?

Cheyla on August 14, 2020:

Hi! My name is cheyla and I’m 12 years old, me and my friend Genevieve are starting a stick on nail business

Mystery... on August 12, 2020:

Hi everybody I am 10 and me and my friends just started a business we found this really good app that can make a website called CRAYON

Q&S on August 12, 2020:

( I'm 10 )I working really hard to start a business for baking cakes and cookies and all kinds of stuff I don't have really anything on advertising but I'm working on it.

Keshontae on August 11, 2020:

I’m wanting to start a business on selling clothes (I’m 12) and I already made an account on socials but I need a website

M&A on August 11, 2020:

I’m wanting to start a business with my friend and I am wondering... do we need permits to sell? (We are both 12) and our parents know and support us. What should we do now?

Billy on August 11, 2020:

Ask your parents

Nathan on August 11, 2020:

I am 14 and my family just moved to Ohio, I want to start a business that does yard work. But I have no idea how to.

Kendra on August 11, 2020:

im 12 and i whant to start a jewrey buiness. Ive alredy made lots of jewlry for my friends and family. But i dont know how to get started on my own buiness.

Cate on August 10, 2020:

I love to bake

Lena on August 10, 2020:

I like to bake

Saran on August 10, 2020:

I like baking

Will on August 06, 2020:

It would be awesome if there was a article that displayed some online business that where free to start and 11 year olds like me could use in Australia. Great article though!

Gavin on August 06, 2020:

This site was very helpful now I really look forward to making my garden service called Garden Green. But I do the know which way should advertise for my business any advise.

Bianka on August 06, 2020:

Hi I’m 9 almost 10 and I want to do a little bit of two thing’s like a lemonade stand and at the same time a chocolate shop and I don’t know

Tash on August 06, 2020:

I am 11 and want to start my own tie die business and this was very helpful for what i need to do

Sanyu on August 05, 2020:

I am 11 and I want to start a graphic design business where I can make drawings for stickers pins clothes and decorating supplies. This was really helpful

Mollie on August 05, 2020:

I am 12 and I would like to start either a slime or a pop socket maker small business but idk how to measure on pocket pro create so idk how to make the pop sockets and idk how to make a website with a bit where people can pay for it then put their address so I can mail it to them? Please answer with some advice for me! I’ve been up all night trying to find a way to tell my parents I want to start a small business!

Lucy on August 03, 2020:

Hello! I am 11 years old and my Uncle took away my metal container that I was going to start a shop inside. My shop was going to contain some second hand horse tack aka bridles, headcollars, saddles, pads and possibly some riding equipment as we live on a farm with horses! I was also going to mend some stitching in the saddles and bridles, fix them up, clean them and earn some money. Now my mum says that I have to wait until I'm 14 or 16 which, by then, I would've forgotten. Not sure if I'm supposed to look up what the age is to run a shop or something but it would be quite helpful if I was told what the age is to run a shop. Thank you!

Audree on August 03, 2020:

I wanted to start my own business with a friend so first we created a spreadsheet of our items and she went online and bought things we needed now our business is booming! I am so glad i read this article!

Lacey rose on August 02, 2020:

I’m 12 years old and want to start a cake business so I made a page on Instagram with parents permission and I don’t know what to do know do I wait for someone to ask for a cake hope you could help

Brooklynn on August 01, 2020:

Hiii I'm Brooklynn and really want to start my own business by myself even tho they say we need a parent my business is going to be editing and creating videos of anything the customer wants any ideas for a name. I also want to know what platforms I should use to let pol know that I have a business ✌️

evie on August 01, 2020:

I need help. I am 11 years old, but I want to make a slime store. do u have any ideas of what I can call my business.

Jessica on July 31, 2020:

I'm opening a online business

I all so live in Europe

I dont want to say on July 31, 2020:

I don't know what one I want its hard when your parent are strugling on money and tell you to study all the time I need a good paying job that will make my parents stop. I am only 9 years old

Naeema on July 30, 2020:

Hi I'm wanting to start a clothing store called culture buetiuq and I am un sure on how I can get started money wise

abs on July 28, 2020:

i am 13 wanting to do a clothing business however what would be a safe way to pay as i carnt have paypal and dont want to give out card info

Janet on July 25, 2020:

I am 11years old I really want to start my business but I don't know what to do.

promise williams on July 23, 2020:

I am 11 years old and I want to start my own business and make my own money but I dont know what type of business I should start please help me out .

Naomi odini on July 22, 2020:

I want to be a baker i love baking but there is no money but I am sure that i will start my business safely

Jessica odini on July 22, 2020:

The cake is so cool

Melina on July 21, 2020:

I am 11 and i have started a bookmark , drawing, and sticker business with my friend then we got employees but we want to advertise, i am not sure how and i am worried that we need a license

Nickay on July 20, 2020:

I have bayby clothes to sell and a beautiful glasses so comment if you want to buy them they a not expensive

Neikasha on July 20, 2020:

I want to start my own business but I don't have any idea about what

Mani on July 20, 2020:

I am teen and I have a lip gloss business and I just need more tip

@Getsavvyforsocial on July 20, 2020:

I am 14 years old and have my own worldwide business. Nothing is impossible!

... on July 20, 2020:

Hi I’m 11 yrs old and I rlly wanna start my own business but I don’t rlly know what to sell.. and I don’t know how to approach my strict parents to this..

morgan on July 18, 2020:

im 12 and i want to star a bussiness so i can buy me an i pad so i can get better at drawing but i dont know a bussiness to start

Kajal santosh on July 18, 2020:

I'm 13 and I am a stationery nerd. I really want to start a stationery business. Hope I'll be successful!

Zoie on July 17, 2020:

I’m 11 and want to open up a business for accessories called cloud candy but I don’t know how

My Title (besti on July 16, 2020:

I Am ten and I want to start a butey bissa

ten year old who NEEDS help on July 16, 2020:

Im ten and I want to start a business called World Wide, where you can choose what country you want to eat from. Do you have any tips?

( Im a little lost )

Crazy 12 year old on July 14, 2020:

Well I want to make a baking business and sell water and different pastries. I just don't know how to start a business like that. (Idk what to do first)

Worried 10 Year Old on July 12, 2020:

I am ten and I want to start a small baking business I have already done a sorta thing we’re I made clay sculptures and sold them for a low price and half of the money went to the food bank at the end I ended up with 70! DOLLARS it was awesome the only problem is I have a nut allergy so I can’t bake with not nut free things so I hope I will find something tell me if you find something please?

Akello Tyra Oiko on July 12, 2020:

i want to start my buisness but dont know how some one help me

JP on July 10, 2020:

I am 12 I want to start a business by selling sweets

Riley on July 09, 2020:

I’m 13. I want to start a business. I want to start a gym but I have not told my parents and how do I start.

dan on July 08, 2020:

really helpfull thanks time going to wash cars

Finn on July 08, 2020:

Im trying to start an online buisness selling clothes etc.This advice has been helpful so thanks.P.S Im eleven

Dishal nimsara on July 07, 2020:

Please join me you bisness

Avary Mendoza on July 07, 2020:

I want to start a knitting business I am good at this and have butterflies knitted bunny’s knitted bracelets headbands pompom key change purse and a big little and newborn baby bowheadband

jay prince on July 07, 2020:

hii I'd like to start a baking job whis withe

Jona on July 06, 2020:

I want to start my own business for kids and Dogs

kayah on July 04, 2020:

hi it's me again

kayah mclean on July 04, 2020:

hi I am kayah and I am 11 yrs of age I try to start my own teddy business by posting my ideas on Facebook and sticking flyers all over the environment and selling my handmade teddys in my father's shop until I get mines I will like to know if that is a start of a business and how do I get my own website to start it over

UnknownSignals on July 04, 2020:

I would like to say starting a business takes a lot of work to become successful. At sometimes it may feel as though you dont know where to start or where to get the money to begin such action. You should start off with something small and grow off of that foundation. For example if you were going to make a baking business start off by making something on your yard. (Billboards, a tiny bakery, Prices, etc)

Dont try to get into making a baking business that is going to be a worldwide just yet. Build up to it and learn along the way to make your business successful.

Nicole on July 01, 2020:

Hi I am 12 ad I wat to start a baking business, I am starting off by making flyers, and making prices for the baked goods. The question I have is where to put the flyers and should I make my own website?

BusinessMan (pun intended) on July 01, 2020:

I see you guys don't really answer comments, but I'm twelve, and I really have a talent for music, like, I compose and play, but I'm not sure how to go about it in lockdown, so I wanna start a computer business, but i need a lotta money, so I exed it. Do you have any other ideas.

A&J Cosmetics on June 29, 2020:

Hey Guys I am the Owner of A&J.Cosmetics I am a young entrepreneur like you. I am here to tell you its possible !! I believe in YOU !! We sell affordable , easy to use , ranges for all ages , Online ! We sell key chains , lip gloss , bracelets , necklaces , and more . The best part is it can all be customized , YES you read right customized everything can just go to our Instagram page and see for yourself a.and.j.cosmetics

Regina on June 29, 2020:

I always wanted to make a sweets store at quarantine but I have no idea where to start

Naseer a bappah on June 29, 2020:

Hi I am nearly 13 and I don,t know what to do please can you give some ideas

Rhema on June 29, 2020:

Hi i am nearly 13 and i am planning on starting a cupcake business but i do not how to go about it.

Abby on June 29, 2020:

Hi I am nearly 13 and I am planning on creating a gift basket business for those who are struggling to buy presents in quarantine but I have no idea where to start could anyone help??

human bean on June 28, 2020:

hi im 12 and im set on having my own resturant and i want to get that by baking for birthdays and other events , how would i go about doing that

jnr2008 on June 28, 2020:

i am 11 and i want to do my own clothing line

Sarah on June 27, 2020:

I want to start a business but I don't know how to go about it please.

Elena on June 25, 2020:

Hi I am Elena I want to start an online jewelry business at 12 but idk how pls help

Kareena on June 24, 2020:

One of our business are making cute necklaces with tiny plastic bottles with cork tops - hopefully we get customers soon (when we actually find out the difficulties of making a business...)!

Kareena on June 24, 2020:

Hi, I'm 10 years old and I want to make a Mask-Making business with my friend. We want to make a business while in lockdown, and we have NO IDEA how to advertise. We also have a BUNCH of great ideas too, and we don't want those to go to waste. How do we have more than one business? Also, we are trying to make a website, and the one we are trying to make does not let our customers fill in anything. It does NOT WORK, and we are trying to find another one that we do not have to pay for. We are also trying to make a chapter book, and we are stuck on that too. Please, please help!

Zarrion Hobson on June 24, 2020:

Hi, I'm 12 year's old and I started a clothing line. I would like to know, if my parents name or my should be on my EIN number or LLC?

abigail on June 24, 2020:

Hi, I am nearly 13 and I would like to start a phone case business. In order to feel like I can achieve things and also to get money!

siya on June 23, 2020:

I am 13 and I would like to start a online clothing line to ease the burden or efforts of my parents

Mary on June 22, 2020:

Hello I'm Mary I'm 12 and I want to start my own business and to prove to my mom I can work to earn money myself. Please guys I need more ideas and help.thnx

paige on June 22, 2020:

hi im Paige im 12 an i would like to tell you to start a business you should start by offering friends or family

Ellie Hastings on June 20, 2020:

Hello my name is Ellie I’m 11. I would love to make my own baking business. I do not have a licence and I just thought of the idea and I can make really good Oreo fudge . Could I have some help please

ajadi .malik on June 19, 2020:

I am 14 and I want to start a business and I don't know how to start

Paballo on June 19, 2020:

I wanna run a business

Colton on June 19, 2020:

i want to start a beverage business

Ibrahim on June 18, 2020:

Sorry, Forgot my age

Ibrahim on June 18, 2020:

I want to start a photography business

Nina on June 17, 2020:

Hi, I'm Nina and I'm 14

I would like to start making and selling bracelets, pls help me

Hannah on June 17, 2020:

Hi I’m Hannah and I’m 12, I would like to start doing simple baking for people, I need my parents permission, if they allow me I’d love some help.

Catt on June 17, 2020:

Hi im 12,and i would like if someone could help me start selling bracelets.

Simona Sharma on June 17, 2020:

I'm so bored in quarantine and I really want to start a business. I tried using wix yesterday but I couldn't really work it out. I want to sell hand-crafted stationery or clothes designs but i'm not sure how. I'm 12 and would love some help. Thank you!

Macey on June 17, 2020:

Hi I’m macey I’m 10 and I would love to start a business to help my friends and family can anyone help??

Ria on June 17, 2020:

Hi I am 13, nd many are here 13 , so can we make a grp and start a business of something...

Khaia Hughes on June 17, 2020:

Hi i am 12 years old a nd i wsnt to start a business but i dont have a license how do i get one

layla on June 17, 2020:

i want a business to

Matilda on June 15, 2020:

Can you help me I want to start a buisness and donate the money but I dont have a buisness licsense. My age:11

on June 15, 2020:

Hi I do want a bussines to.

Nathan on June 14, 2020:

Im 14 and rlly want to start my own baking business my parents don’t understand it but I’m ready to learn and teach so please reach out

freya on June 14, 2020:

Hey! I'm 12 years old and I want to start a business but I Dont know how,well......I'm interested in makeup artistry but I need money(loan)Can you help?

Jennifer on June 12, 2020:

hi I want to start a business really badly and I also want money and I do not know what to do because I don't no what kids like!

Shailen on June 12, 2020:

I am 11 years bold and I would like to start a business but I not sure what to do ( for my business) does anyone have any suggestions that could help

How can a 12 year old start a business?

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