The best way to start a business in high school is to focus in on the digital aspect of it. For example, make an app or website.
App development can be done in anything from Microsoft software to code like HTML and CSS. And if you’re good with coding, make your own app! If you’re not sure what kind of app or website you want, then figure out what your strengths are and go from there!
If you have good design skills, then try doing graphic design for people. You can sell your services to family and friends when you’re just getting started.
Then when you get more popular in this area, start advertising on your social media channels with a link to your website for clients! Also, uploading videos of yourself working are great ways to get your name out there. If you want to get better at designing, then look on YouTube for tutorials related to graphic design.
If you’re good with photography, then try selling photos online! You can sell prints or have a website where people can buy digital files of your work. If that’s not your cup of tea, then ask for photo donations from people who want to help you grow.
You can host a free giveaway on your website and have people submit their best photos with specific details written in the description, then choose a few of them to be featured on your site.
If you’re good at social media, then try doing social media promotion for businesses or even influencer marketing. If you’re good with this, then it can be your full-time job!
And if you aren’t sure how to get started, look on sites like Fiverr and Freelancer for opportunities related to social media promotion. (You can also check out our posts about starting a business in high school and tips for getting freelancing jobs .)
If you want to be in the entertainment industry, then maybe try making short films or vlogs! If neither of those are for you, then join an acting class and see if that’s what you’re good at.
Actors like Vin Diesel got their start in school plays. And fair warning: make sure your videos are good quality before you upload them!
If you have a lot of friends, then do something along the lines of carpooling or transportation. For example, one guy I know started out by driving his friends to parties because he didn’t mind doing it.
So if this is your thing, then think about how many people are in your friend group and how much you’d charge them. You can even tailor the service to your customers’ needs, like having a special car just for nights out or weekends.
If you’re into fashion, then try making clothes! You can start off by asking friends if they want custom clothing (you could ask them to pay for the supplies).
Then, when you’ve gotten a good amount of customers, you can slowly start selling to more people! When you have a business going on the side, it looks really good on college applications and resumes. And if clothes aren’t your thing, then consider baking as an option!
If you’re into sports or doing other activities, sell your stuff on the market! If you play a sport, then get your team to sell concessions for fundraisers. Or if you’re into arts and crafts, offer to host small parties where people can buy your things.
But whatever you do, just take advantage of having free time in high school. The best way to start a business is not to start one at all; it’s to start learning about business. Work on your entrepreneurship skills now, because they’ll come in handy later on!
So this is how to Start a Business as a Teenager.