100+ Teen Money Making Ideas for Young Entrepreneurs
Every business begins with an idea. Coming up with that idea is one of the coolest feelings in the world. It makes you daydream during the day and keeps you awake at night. However, that idea doesn’t come easy.
So we’ve compiled a list of 100+ money making ideas that you can pursue as a young entrepreneur. Every idea that’s listed could be started out of your bedroom, and if done right, could reasonably earn $1,000 or more in one summer.
In addition to starting a business, you should use these ideas to expand your business. For example, if you have a lawn mowing service, you could also offer a snow removal service. If you have a graphic design service, you could offer a web development service.
These ideas fall under three categories: products, services and internet businesses. Choose one you’ll enjoy and let us know if you have suggestions. We’ll always update this list with new ideas.
Hardest to start – high start-up costs, few potential customers, large barriers to entry, etc.
Easiest to start – low start-up costs, lots of potential customers, small barriers to entry, etc.
Least profitable – high start-up costs, slim profit margins, little room for growth, etc.
Most profitable – low start-up costs, huge profit margins, plenty of room for growth, etc.
Articles related to business idea – All of the JuniorBiz articles that mention this idea. Click the icon and get a list.
JuniorBiz Guides – Represents a JuniorBiz Guide that has been written for that idea. Only a few now, but more to come.
Products
When you offer a product, people will pay you for something that they can hold in their hands. This product must either solve a problem (i.e. t-shirts) or satisfy a want (i.e. lemonade stand). Selling a product as a young entrepreneur has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- You can make it once, and sell a lot of them.
- You can sell it around the world.
Disadvantages
- You’ll spend a lot of time and money developing the product before you could ever sell it.
- You have to compete with other products around the world.
Arts & Crafts
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greeting Cards | ||||
| Homemade Candles | ||||
| Portraiture from Photos | ||||
| Scrapbooking | ||||
| Woodworking |
Food Products
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | ||||
| Cookie Arrangements | ||||
| Fresh Produce and Herbs | ||||
| Gift Baskets | ||||
| Gourmet Baked Goods | ||||
| Lemonade Stand | ||||
| Popsicle Cart | ||||
| Sauces and Salsas | ||||
| Specialty Foods |
Household Products
People Products
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetics | ||||
| Jewelry and Accessories | ||||
| T-Shirts |
Services
When you provide a service, people will pay you for your time and effort. The service you choose to provide must be something that they can’t do (i.e. babysitting) or take a task off of someone’s plate (i.e. lawn mowing). Providing a service as a young entrepreneur has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- You’ll make money almost immediately.
- You only have to compete with local services.
Disadvantages
- You have to convince people that you can provide a quality service the first time.
- You have limited time to provide a service and can’t grow without hiring extra help.
Automobile & Engine Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Cleaning/Detailing | ||||
| Car/Oil Maintenance | ||||
| Small Engine Repair |
Childcare Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babysitting | ||||
| Babysitting Agency | ||||
| Children’s Event Organizer | ||||
| Children’s Night Out | ||||
| Kids Taxi | ||||
| Vacation Childcare |
Computer, Photography, & Event Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Repair | ||||
| Data Archiver | ||||
| Disc Jockey | ||||
| Entertainer | ||||
| Film to Digital Scanning | ||||
| Party Planner | ||||
| Photo Album/Inventory | ||||
| Specialty Photographer |
Educational Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Tutor | ||||
| Educational Tutor | ||||
| Language Instructor | ||||
| Music Lessons | ||||
| Standardized Test Prep |
Home Exterior Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Cleaning | ||||
| Deck Cleaning and Refinishing | ||||
| Gutter Cleaning | ||||
| General Maintenance/Handyman | ||||
| House Painting | ||||
| Pressure Washing | ||||
| Roofing | ||||
| Snow Removal |
Home Cleaning Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning | ||||
| Commercial Cleaning | ||||
| Duct Cleaning | ||||
| Garage and Attic Hauling | ||||
| Miniblind Cleaning | ||||
| Window Cleaning |
Home Specialty Services
Landscaping
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Curbing | ||||
| Decorative Bricks | ||||
| Garden Tilling | ||||
| Lawn Mowing/Care | ||||
| Leaf Removal | ||||
| Low-Voltage Outdoor Electrical Wiring |
Miscellaneous Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Instrument Tuning and Repair | ||||
| Newsletter Publisher | ||||
| Newspaper Delivery | ||||
| Tax Preparation |
Personal Services
Pet Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquarium Maintenance | ||||
| Dog Cleanup | ||||
| Dog Walking | ||||
| Pet Sitting |
Internet Businesses
When you have an Internet business, you can sell a product (i.e. through blogging) or you can offer a service (i.e. web development). In either case, you must offer something unique. Running an Internet business as a young entrepreneur has advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- You have relatively low start-up costs.
- You can reach a worldwide audience of potential customers.
Disadvantages
- You have to take some time to figure out how the Internet works.
- You have a practically unlimited number of competitors.
- It can be dangerous.
Web-Based Services
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design | ||||
| Internet Marketing | ||||
| Online Auctioning | ||||
| Videography | ||||
| Web Development/Maintenance |
Writing
| Ease of Start | Profitability | Articles | Guide? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blogging | ||||
| Copywriting and Proofreading | ||||
| E-Zine Publishing | ||||
| Freelance Writing | ||||
| Transcription | ||||
| Translation (audio & written) |
If your business didn’t make the cut or ranked low, please leave your comments below. I’m open to debate and I’d love to hear what you have to say. Thanks!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
thanks for the list
It’s a very interesting blog you got here buddy. I really enjoyed the list and I must say it’s a solid gold-mine if you drill down and look for a niche around those major ones.
Gonna keep my eyes on your blog = ]
Hey Roosevelt! Thanks for stopping by and for letting me know you were here! Yeah, by developing this list I really started thinking about all the opportunities there are for young entrepreneurs to start businesses. I’m going to graduating in May and I might have to refer back to this list myself
.
Great list. It’s a practical gold mine!
Thanks Dylan! It is a goldmine if you know how to use it.
Hey there, great article and thanks for the list
btw hope u r throwing out an virtual party in your birthday for us
Thanks, Gifer! I’m working on it
. I have 75-page paper to turn in tomorrow. I’ll see what I can do.
ahaha good luck, and Happy birthday dear
AMAZING LITS NICK! Concentrated awesomeness. Kudos to you!
Haha! Thanks, Liane! I put a lot of work into this one and I’m glad that hard work is being recognized.
Nick Thank you! I’ve been looking for a business since my candy business died at school because teachers were getting mad. AWESOME ideas, I’m probaly starting one soon so thank you
.
That’s great to hear, Colin! Some of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the world started out selling candy in school. You should read this interview:
http://juniorbiz.com/interview-andrew-fashion
Make sure you come back and let me know how it goes! I’d love to hear what you start and help if I can.
I know how to fix computers but, I failed about how I can start Computer Repairing business from home!
I don’t think is easy!
Hey Buntu! You’re right, it’s not easy. Entrepreneurship will never be easy. Or else, entrepreneurs wouldn’t have employees.
As far as starting a computer repair business, it’s an easy service to start relative to other businesses. Email me anytime if you have specific questions: http://juniorbiz.com/ask-juniorbiz
That goes straight to my inbox.
hi i am an inventor i have 5 inventions but the hardest thing for me is to get the help that i need for the first one and with no manoy for patents makes things even harder is there any where that i can find people that help first time inventor and invest in them????
Hi Michael! Congrats on all of the inventions. I haven’t worked much with inventors but my general advice would be to start networking with other people by attending networking events for other inventors. They will probably know someone and be able to make an introduction for you.
You could also partner with a company that you trust to help bring your invention to market. Give them the gist of what your invention does and how they can sell it. Then ask them to invest and let them take a substantial cut (maybe 75%) when they start selling your invention for you.
I am looking for the samething.
Check out http://www.quirky.com/ It may work out for you.
Good Luck!
Yeah, that’s a great site. Thanks for sharing, Buntu!
No problem.
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