3 answers
Juleisy
Student
Wyoming, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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How to start an Online business in 2023 as a Teenager
How to start making money, when You can’t work and are a student? Without any investments and start From 0
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3 answers
Jennifer Hinds
Personal Chef, Cooking Instructor, Recipe Developer
4
Answers
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Juleisy,
I think it is great that you are looking to make some extra money and start an online business.
I would start by making a list of things you enjoy doing and are good at. This will give you a place to start. For example, do you have any hobbies, like making crafts, crocheting or knitting, painting, drawing, sewing, making jewelry, etc. If so, one way to start an online business, is by opening an Etsy Shop to sell your handmade goods. You are allowed to open and sell products at 13 years old, but if you are under 18 you will need a parent or guardian's permission, and need them to help you sign up. This is because as a minor, you are not legally allowed to enter in a business contract. Also, they will have to help you open either a bank account or a PayPal account so you can get paid when someone purchases your products. Opening an Etsy shop doesn't require very much start up money either. It doesn't cost anything to set up an Etsy shop, but there is a .20¢ listing fee for each item you list in your shop. Once you sell that item, if you list another product you will be charged another.20¢ fee. You can find out more about how it works if you go onto the Etsy website and look up the F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) page.
Other ways of making money online are selling items that you have but no longer need, like clothes, books, shoes, games, or things that your family may not want or need anymore. There are several websites and apps that you can do this, like OfferUp, Poshmark, and Mercari. You will have to check each individual website to see what the rules and age requirements. Again you will probably need a parent or guardian's help setting it up if you are under 18.
Selling Print-On-Demad products on Etsy or Shopify has the potential to make a lot of sales without much startup costs, or having to make the products yourself. You can go online to a website (like www.printify.com) that supplies blank products, like T-Shirts, Hoodies, Drinkware, Tote Bags, Mouse Pads, etc. that you can customize in a graphic design site like Canva (there is a free version) and then list to sell in your online shop. You can make all kinds of fun and cool designs. You can list the products in your shop, the customer then buys/pays for the product plus shipping costs, and then it will be printed, packaged up, and shipped to your customer, without you having to buy all the blank inventory or make the products yourself. There are several YouTube channels that demonstrate how this process works.
Another kind of business to consider would be to offer some kind of service, like dog walking, babysitting, tutoring, yard work, car washing/detailing, grocery shopping, etc. You can post your service online and on local bulletin boards or make simple flyers and put them in mailboxes in your community to reach customers. There are also, websites like Weebly, Go Daddy, and Wix, where you can make your own website from their templates, with fairly low costs. Always be cautious when offering services, have a parent or guardian help you verify and checkout potential customers and go with you to check them out for your safety.
I hope this information is helpful to you, Juleisy. Wishing you the best of luck on your new business venture!!
I think it is great that you are looking to make some extra money and start an online business.
I would start by making a list of things you enjoy doing and are good at. This will give you a place to start. For example, do you have any hobbies, like making crafts, crocheting or knitting, painting, drawing, sewing, making jewelry, etc. If so, one way to start an online business, is by opening an Etsy Shop to sell your handmade goods. You are allowed to open and sell products at 13 years old, but if you are under 18 you will need a parent or guardian's permission, and need them to help you sign up. This is because as a minor, you are not legally allowed to enter in a business contract. Also, they will have to help you open either a bank account or a PayPal account so you can get paid when someone purchases your products. Opening an Etsy shop doesn't require very much start up money either. It doesn't cost anything to set up an Etsy shop, but there is a .20¢ listing fee for each item you list in your shop. Once you sell that item, if you list another product you will be charged another.20¢ fee. You can find out more about how it works if you go onto the Etsy website and look up the F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) page.
Other ways of making money online are selling items that you have but no longer need, like clothes, books, shoes, games, or things that your family may not want or need anymore. There are several websites and apps that you can do this, like OfferUp, Poshmark, and Mercari. You will have to check each individual website to see what the rules and age requirements. Again you will probably need a parent or guardian's help setting it up if you are under 18.
Selling Print-On-Demad products on Etsy or Shopify has the potential to make a lot of sales without much startup costs, or having to make the products yourself. You can go online to a website (like www.printify.com) that supplies blank products, like T-Shirts, Hoodies, Drinkware, Tote Bags, Mouse Pads, etc. that you can customize in a graphic design site like Canva (there is a free version) and then list to sell in your online shop. You can make all kinds of fun and cool designs. You can list the products in your shop, the customer then buys/pays for the product plus shipping costs, and then it will be printed, packaged up, and shipped to your customer, without you having to buy all the blank inventory or make the products yourself. There are several YouTube channels that demonstrate how this process works.
Another kind of business to consider would be to offer some kind of service, like dog walking, babysitting, tutoring, yard work, car washing/detailing, grocery shopping, etc. You can post your service online and on local bulletin boards or make simple flyers and put them in mailboxes in your community to reach customers. There are also, websites like Weebly, Go Daddy, and Wix, where you can make your own website from their templates, with fairly low costs. Always be cautious when offering services, have a parent or guardian help you verify and checkout potential customers and go with you to check them out for your safety.
I hope this information is helpful to you, Juleisy. Wishing you the best of luck on your new business venture!!
Char R.
Registered Nurse
67
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Char’s Answer
Hi Juleisy,
Social media is a common place teenagers start working, but you have to be really careful applying for online jobs. Most online jobs are for adults, and it's probably because it's not always the safest way to get a job. There are many fake job postings out there so it's good to protect yourself (and your information) by always getting your parent(s)/guardian(s) involved.
In-person jobs are probably the best place to start if you want work as a teenager. These include tutoring jobs, eating places, department stores, and grocery stores. This way, it's public and you know exactly who you are working for. These jobs can let you work as little as 1 or 2 days a week so you can focus on school.
If you can't work in-person right now, I would suggest discussing this with your parent(s)/guardian(s). It might be better to wait until you graduate and are officially an adult. You'll still have time to start and grow an online business as a young adult.
Social media is a common place teenagers start working, but you have to be really careful applying for online jobs. Most online jobs are for adults, and it's probably because it's not always the safest way to get a job. There are many fake job postings out there so it's good to protect yourself (and your information) by always getting your parent(s)/guardian(s) involved.
In-person jobs are probably the best place to start if you want work as a teenager. These include tutoring jobs, eating places, department stores, and grocery stores. This way, it's public and you know exactly who you are working for. These jobs can let you work as little as 1 or 2 days a week so you can focus on school.
If you can't work in-person right now, I would suggest discussing this with your parent(s)/guardian(s). It might be better to wait until you graduate and are officially an adult. You'll still have time to start and grow an online business as a young adult.
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Katherine Avery
Run a music studio and teach private music lessons; teach college-level religion classes
350
Answers
Spanish Fork, Utah
Updated
Katherine’s Answer
Hey! The two best resources I know of for keeping important things in mind about starting your own business are Dave Ramsey's book EntreLeadership, and this workbook (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/ldsorg/topics/self-reliance/2017/14678_sgmb_book_eng.pdf?lang=eng). If you read them you'll get a lot of ideas of what your next steps are over time.