13 Small Business Ideas for Teens in 2024

Ever dreamed of starting your own business?

You’re not alone!

A recent survey found that 60% of teenagers are way more into starting their own business than getting a regular job.

But where do you even start?

Don’t sweat it!

In this blog post, I’ll be sharing some trendy small business ideas for teens in 2024, along with how they work and where to learn before getting started.

So, keep reading!

1. eCommerce store

eCommerce store, also known as an online store, is a great small business idea for teens. It’s basically like having your own shop on the internet where you can sell stuff.

You can use platforms like Shopify to set up your store and then start selling all sorts of products online.

You can even sell things that you don’t physically have through dropshipping, or create custom products with print-on-demand.

There are lots of cool courses on platforms like Skillshare, Shopify Academy, and Udemy that can teach you all about eCommerce.

Just keep in mind, it’s not all smooth sailing – there’s competition out there, and you’ll have to deal with things like managing inventory and keeping your site secure.

But if you’re up for the challenge, it could be pretty rewarding!

2. Sell Handmade Goods

Handmade Goods are a fantastic way for teens to start their own small business. Whether it’s crafting unique jewelry, homemade candles, or personalized artwork, selling handmade goods allows you to showcase your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.

You can easily get started by setting up shop on online platforms like Etsy or even creating your very own eCommerce store.

Plus, if you prefer the traditional route, don’t forget about physically setting up shop too – it’s still a great way to connect with local shoppers.

To gain valuable insights into this, check out eCommerce courses available through Shopify Academy.

And if you’re all about creating handmade items, YouTube is absolutely where it’s at! There are tons of DIY videos that’ll guide you through the process in a super fun way.

While there may be some challenges such as demand and competition from mass-produced items, the effort put into leveling up your skills in production and sales management is well worth it!

3. Sell Digital Products

When it comes to digital products, there are plenty of small business ideas for teens that can be both fun and profitable.

Selling digital products like ebooks, templates, courses, and software is a great option.

You can create your own website or use platforms such as Teachable, Payhip, or Podia to sell your creations.

For example, you could write an ebook about something you’re passionate about and put it up for sale on one of these platforms.

The best part? They are typically delivered instantly via download or email! This means no hassle with physical inventory.

If you’re looking to learn more about creating and selling digital products, YouTube is a goldmine for picking up tips from people who’ve already nailed it in this space.

It’s important though not to underestimate the effort needed; while some work is required upfront during product creation and marketing stages, ongoing efforts may also be necessary for customer support purposes.

4. Graphic Design Business

If you’re a creative teen looking to start your own gig, why not consider diving into the world of graphic design?

Offering services like logo creation and social media graphics can be an awesome way to earn some cash while doing something you love.

You could start by freelancing on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, setting up your own website, or even reaching out directly to local businesses.

There are tons of online courses available (check out Coursera and Skillshare) that can help sharpen your graphic design skills.

When it comes to tools of the trade, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and Figma are where it’s at.

Just keep in mind though – while the competition is fierce out there and everyone has their own unique taste when it comes to designs, so make sure you’re ready for some serious effort in marketing yourself and communicating well with clients.

5. Web Development

Web development is a fantastic small business idea for teens at home, especially if you’re into tech and design.

You could set up your own mini Web Development Agency, offering services like building websites or creating online stores for local businesses.

There are tons of ways to learn web development these days – from cool online courses on platforms like Codecademy to helpful tutorials on YouTube.

A beginner Web Developer needs some essential items such as code editors (like Sublime Text or Visual Studio Code), collaboration tools (such as GitHub), and design software (Adobe Creative Suite) – just enough gear to keep those creative juices flowing!

However, now there are also no-code platforms like Bubble and Pipedream available to make the process easier!

Just keep in mind that while there are plenty of opportunities here, staying ahead of technological advancements and managing client expectations might pose some challenges along the way.

6. Academic Tutor

This idea is all about becoming an academic tutor. You’ll be providing educational support and tutoring to students, either in person or online.

You could focus on specific subjects like math, science, or language arts, teach general study skills like time management and critical thinking, or even tutor other students in similar grade levels or courses.

You can do this independently or through tutoring platforms.

To get started, connect with experienced tutors either in person or online to observe their techniques and ask questions – it’s the perfect way to learn from the pros.

Plus, volunteering at after-school programs or local community centers will give you hands-on experience while making connections too.

When it comes to online tutoring, popular platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are your go-to tools.

If you’re interested in creating online courses and building a community around your brand, Teachable could be an excellent place to start!

It offers a user-friendly interface where you can easily create engaging courses with videos, and text content quizzes while also customizing your brand’s look, setting prices, and even selling digital downloads.

Just keep in mind that you might need to put in some effort to mastering subjects, planning lessons, and handling communication with students and parents.

7. Dog-Walking Services

Love spending time with furry friends? How about turning that passion into a cool small business idea for teens – dog-walking services?

It’s as straightforward as it sounds: offering pet care and walking services to local pet owners.

To brush up on your skills and learn about the responsibilities involved, consider training programs offered by organizations in your area.

While it does require some effort to build a client base and manage operations, the joy of hanging out with adorable pups makes it all worth it!

Just keep an eye out for unpredictable weather conditions – no one wants soggy paws!

8. Mobile Bike Repair or Cleaning

This idea is not your typical one, but have you ever thought about offering mobile bike repair or cleaning services to people in your area?

You can go directly to customers and fix their bikes where they are.

It’s a cool way for teens like yourself to earn some extra cash while helping out the community.

To get started, you’ll need to learn about bike repair and maintenance. There are online resources available or consider taking basic classes offered by local bike shops or organizations.

Just keep in mind that there might be seasonal demand shifts as well as competition from other repair options.

While it may take moderate effort to level up your skills, marketing strategies, scheduling appointments plus managing tools inventory; providing this kind of service could be both rewarding – financially speaking – an opportunity!

9. Event Planning

This small business idea needs some serious thought, but it’s totally worth considering. Let’s talk about event planning!

It involves organizing and coordinating events for clients. You can offer event planning services as a freelancer or by building a team to work on larger projects.

You can gain knowledge about event planning through online courses on platforms like Alison or local certification programs.

When it comes to event planning, you’ve got some popular event-planning tools out there that can really make your life easier.

Each tool brings its own set of features and benefits to the table, so it’s worth checking them out to see which one suits your needs best.

However, there are some risks involved such as tight deadlines, budget overruns, and client dissatisfaction among others which require high effort in networking creativity and managing tasks simultaneously.

10. Social Media Management

If you’re into social media, managing accounts for others could be a cool gig. It involves creating and scheduling content, interacting with users, and keeping an eye on how well the company is doing online.

You can offer services as a freelancer or build a team to handle bigger projects. You might also specialize in just one platform like Instagram, TikTok or Facebook.

Many courses on platforms like Coursera and Skillshare can teach you the ins and outs of social media management.

Plus, social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social make your job easier.

But, it’s not all rainbows – things change fast in the world of social media so staying updated is key.

And watch out for negative feedback too; clients want results but competition is stiff!

It takes quite some effort: keeping up with platforms’ changes, creating content from scratch sometimes even analyzing data.

So if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and take on those challenges head-on – give it a shot!

11. Photography

Photography is another great small business idea for teens. It’s all about providing top-notch photography services for clients.

You can offer a wide range of options from food photography to drone videography – the sky’s the limit (literally)!

Another option is selling stock photos by signing up as a contributor on platforms like Shutterstock.

If you’re looking to learn more about photography techniques (and who wouldn’t be?), check out courses and resources available through platforms like Alison or Skillshare (YouTube has some great stuff too).

Plus, popular photo editing tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop will help take your images from good to great!

Just keep in mind that you might face competition from other photographers (both hobbyists and pros) plus equipment maintenance costs are real factors here.

It does require quite some effort though – from mastering techniques to handling client communication and managing the business side of things.

12. Car Washing and Detailing

It’s not just for professionals. If you’ve got a knack for making cars shine and want to start your own gig, car washing could be the perfect small business idea for teens.

Want to level up your skills?

Well, YouTube tutorials are always an excellent place to learn the tricks.

Plus, if you prefer more structured learning environments, look into training programs or schools that offer hands-on experience in car care techniques.

It does take some effort – from getting equipment to marketing yourself – but if you enjoy making cars shine, this could be the perfect gig for you!

Keep in mind that demand may vary based on weather conditions and competition from other services – plus there are environmental regulations to consider too!

13. Tech Support

If you’re a tech-savvy teen looking for small business ideas, consider offering tech support services! Whether it’s troubleshooting gadgets or setting up devices, providing technical assistance can be a great way to earn some cash.

You can start as a freelancer and later expand by building your own team.

To get started in this field, it’s important to focus on developing both technical and soft skills.

Technical expertise should cover programming languages, operating systems, databases, network infrastructure security, and software applications.

On the other hand, it is also important that someone has good communication abilities along with problem-solving techniques when dealing with customers’ issues.

If you’re looking to learn more, check out platforms like Codecademy can help you dive into programming languages while local organizations may offer IT programs worth checking out.

Additionally, consider attending bootcamps focusing on specific tech skills such as coding or cybersecurity – they can really level up your expertise!

If you already have some knowledge of the subject (lucky enough!), then this idea might just be perfect for you!

Wrap-up and Next Steps

There you have it – 13 small business ideas for teens!

Whether you’re into eCommerce, graphic design, tutoring or even dog-walking, there’s something here for everyone.

Just remember, if any of the above ideas pique your interest, take some time to dig deeper and check out the legal and financial aspects before diving in.

It’s a good idea to get your parents or someone knowledgeable involved in these discussions, especially if they have experience with what you’re planning to do.

And don’t forget about money management too.

Networking with fellow business owners, mentors, and industry professionals can be super beneficial too!

So go on, give one (or more) of these ideas a shot!