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Kids and Making Money

Helping your child create a business...

Helping your child start his own business is an excellent way to teach life skills that they will remember forever.  The first thing that you have to do is to determine how much time and effort will be required of you and how much your child can do on their own.  Some children will need less help than others.  It is important that they choose what they want to do on their own.  You can make suggestions but the final decision should  be left up to them.  Regardless of what type of business your child wants to start it is very important that your child is safe and that they have a fair shot at success. 

Guidelines to help to protect your child...

1. Never go door to door to sell a product or service without an adult.

2. Always know where your child is at all times.

3. Make sure they select a job that they will enjoy

4. Commitment is important -- make sure they realize once they start they are obligated to continue.

5. Start up costs must be evaluated.  You must determine with them where the money for the business is coming from.   Make sure that they are investing part of their own money.

6. Have an open line of communication with them so they can come to you for advice.

7. Set guidelines and goals so that they know exactly what they need to do.

8. Set fair prices.

9. Determine how they are going to market their product or service.

10. Make them realize that their job is secondary to school, homework and extra-curricular activities.

 Tips for Marketing a Child's Business...

1. Flyers are a great way for your child to market their new business.  They can create it themselves on the computer using Microsoft Word or Microsoft Frontpage.  They can then distribute them in your neighborhood.  Make sure it includes your name, address, phone number and details about the business.  If you can put a picture that describes the business that would be helpful.

2. Put up signs to advertise your business.  ( lawn's of family or friends as well as your own).

3. Once the business is established word of mouth will help to spread the business

4. They can give free samples where applicable.

5. Offer discount coupons to new customers.

6. Advertise at a local school.

7. Always be polite -- say please, and thank you.

8. Treat your client with respect.

9. Be consistent so that your clients know they can depend you on.  Always start and end your day at the same time. 

10. For older children they should make up business cards and/or a website.
     

Benefits of Your Child Starting a Business:

1. Your child  become more responsible and dependable.

2. It will reinforce their computer, writing, and math skills

3. Their communication skills will improve.

4. They will learn what it it like to work for a living.

5. They will learn to value money.

Business Ideas For Your Child...

Shovel Snow
In the winter time, many older people need help with snow removal. Often they will need to have their driveways or sidewalks shoveled.  So get together with some friends and make arrangements to shovel peoples houses before the snow storm.

Tutor or Homework Helper
Tutoring younger students in subjects your child enjoys and gets good marks in is a great  business idea.  A younger child can always use help in reading, math or writing. Parents would love the extra help for their kids especially during the summer to help keep their skills fresh in their minds.  You could also do a homework helper business where you go to a household with several children and help them with their homework after school.

Baby-Sit
This is always a popular choice for kids.  The demand is always there because parents always need a good a reliable baby sitter.  You can normally charge between $5-$10 per hour depending on your age. You may want to consider taking a baby sitting certification class.

Parent's Helper
This is for the child that is too young to baby sit on their own.  They can get a job watching children while the parents are around.  Many times it will be as simple as playing with the child to keep them amused by the parent gets some chores down around the house.  This can easily turn into a regular baby sitting job once you have reached the age. You can normally charge between $2-$3 per hour depending on your age

Pet Care
If you child loves animals, then try an animal caretaker business.  They could offer services to walk dogs or let them out during the day if owners work  They could pet sit for the day or week if people are on vacation. You can probably charge $15 for the day and $4.50 per hour.

Drink, Food or Craft Stand

Everyone is familiar with the old fashioned lemonade stand.  You can take this concept and use it for almost anything.  You can sell of course lemonade but you also have the option of soda, juice, ice tea, Kool Aid or if you have electricity available bring out the blender and make smoothies.  Of course, this is a seasonal business, depending on your location.  During other times of the year, it could be a warm apple cider or hot chocolate.  You can also try selling soft pretzels, snack bags, cookies, brownies or other food items.  Just make sure they are sealed in saran wrap or zip locked bags.  You can also sell crafts that your child made.  Sometimes, a combination of food and items makes a good business.  On an average 50 cents for drinks and snacks and $1.00 for a craft.

House Cleaning
Their are many chores such as vacuuming, dusting, emptying the dishwasher, folding laundry that would be suitable for children. You can normally charge between $5-$10 per hour depending on your age and experience.

Wash Cars
Car washing is a popular service to offer. There is always a demand because people do not have the time to wash their cars on their own.  You could join with a few friends and offer a local car wash or you could personalize it by going to your clients home and washing their car for them.  See what other professional car washes charge in your area, and price the services competitively.

House Sit
If a friend or neighbor is going on vacation you can water their plants, take in their mail, put out their trash and any other chores they may need done while they are away.  Make sure you learn which plants need to be watered daily and which prefer to stay dryer. And don't over water or they could return to a house full of dead plants!

Landscaping
This can include mowing lawns, raking leaves, weeding, watering the yard, planting flower, or mulching  flower beds.  This can be accomplished in your own neighborhood.  Spring can be the time for weeding, mulching and planting flowers.  In the Fall you can do winter clean-up. Many times people find this to be difficult to do and will welcome the help.

Muffin Breakfast
If you enjoy baking, you can start a muffin business.  You can create flyers and  then deliver it to people in your neighborhood. Be sure to include a sample of  your muffins.  Offer to provide box breakfast for them that will include muffins and orange juice that will be delivered to their door on specified mornings.

Be A Class Helper
If you have a local dance class, karate class, or art class in your area, ask the teacher if they need any help passing out supplies. Many times they will welcome the help.

Become a Teacher
Consider your own experience -- Is there something that you can teach to someone else?  Can you work in your dance studio or the gym where you do gymnastic? Can you give music or art lessons to younger children?  Can you offer a baseball clinic?  Are you a computer whiz? Many times you can start a business from one of your own favorite activities.

Neighborhood Party Helper
Help parents set up, decorate, supervise, and clean up before, during, and after children's birthday parties or adult social events. This is something that many people would love to have offered to them.

Kids Party Entertainment Service
Face painting, tattoos, and washable hair sprays -- this makes a great business.   It is best to do it with a friend so that one can do the face while the other does the tattoos and hair. You would need to have a brochure with the face painting options and you can spray stripes, stars, rainbow designs, etc., onto hair of young customers in bright colors.  You can use stencils to create you desired effect.

Soccer Referee
If you are a soccer player then refereeing is a great thing to do. You need to contact your soccer league to get the information\. You will need to take a course, and buy supplies. The pay is very good and varies with age.

Can You Drive?  
How about starting a business to run errands for people.  Many elderly people can not get around and many working people do not have the time and will welcome the help.  You can deliver groceries, bring clothes back and forth to the cleaners, mail packages, pick up dinner, take the dog to be groomed. There are so many different types of errands that a teen could perform.  Seriously consider the type of errands that you are willing to run and the travel distance.  Create a flyer advertising your services -- be specific. Distribute your flyers in your neighborhood.  Use word of mouth to further spread the word.