Summer Is the Season to Try Self-Employment (Especially for Teens)
Do you remember your first summer job? Maybe you were a camp counsellor or lifeguard at the local pool. Given that you’ve chosen to run your own business, maybe a summer job gave your very first taste of self-employment. Whether you walked dogs, mowed lawns or fixed flat tires for cyclists on the bike path, perhaps running your own summer gig shaped your entrepreneurial mindset – and helped you get where you are today.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some summer opportunities for the budding teenage entrepreneurs you might know (or even be related to!). When young people try their hand a running their own business, they experience decision making, earning power, independence, adapting to changing situations – the learning is endless. Perhaps best of all, they get to try on your entrepreneurial shoes for size.
If the budding entrepreneur likes to work outside, consider:
Walking dogs and caring for pets. Doggies, kitties, birds, oh my! Responsible animal lovers can offer services ranging from walking, grooming and feeding pets to overnight stays when the beloved critter’s family is traveling. Self-starter tip: Take a video of Fido or Fluffy and share with the owners each night.
Taking care of lawns, yards and gardens. Teens can earn money, stay physically active and even catch a few rays while mowing lawns, weeding, trimming hedges – you name it. Self-starter tip: Keep your business growing during the cooler months by including snow shoveling or leaf raking, too.
Washing and cleaning cars. Have bucket, will travel. Don’t just wash or wax the outside of a car. Maximize the business opportunity by cleaning interiors and offering detailing services, too. Self-starter tip: Green your business by using water conservation strategies.
Personal assistant. If you’re willing to get paid simply for helping out, there’s no end to the errands you might run or chores you can do. On a given day, you might be at the post office, grocery store, dry cleaner – or helping to deep clean a cluttered closet. Self-starter tip: Make yourself invaluable over the summer, and this opportunity could turn into year-round work.
If the budding entrepreneur likes to work inside, consider:
Tutoring. Academically inclined teens might offer tutoring services to other students during the summer “brain drain” months. Post flyers at the local library or advertise your services on an online neighborhood listing site. Self-starter tip: The client relationships you build over the summer could continue well into the school year.
Web services. Teens these days … sure know a lot about technology. Channel a love of screen-time into a business for graphic design or website building. Self-starter tip: An obsession with Instagram or Snapchat could be just the training you need to position yourself as “social media marketing pro”!
Caregiving. Parents always need a hand, especially during the summer when school schedules go out the window. Babysitting isn’t limited to babies – even older kids need supervision when camp is out for the day. Self-starter tip: The elderly in your neighborhood often need companionship and support. Teens age 17 and up can check out Care.com to locally advertise their services, including child care, special needs, housekeeping or senior care.
QB Community members, what was your first summer job – and did it influence in any way your decision to work for yourself?
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