When you are young, it is easy to have a lot of energy and ideas. You want to make a difference in the world, but you may not know where to start.
There are several small business ideas for teens that can help them get started on their path to success.
For most teens, the idea of owning a business is a pipe dream.
But for many young people, it’s a reality; in fact, according to the World Economic Forum, 80% of millennials want to be their own boss.
If you’re a young person thinking about starting your own business, here are some ideas to get you started in South Africa:
Best Small Business Ideas for Teens in South Africa
1. Become a Freelance Writer
The freelance writing industry is booming. This is a great opportunity for teens to get involved and make some money.
A lot of people don’t know how to write, but they have something to say.
If you can help someone put their ideas into words, then you could earn some extra cash by becoming a freelance writer.
You can do this from anywhere in the world, so there’s no need for you to move away from your family and friends if you don’t want to.
It’s also a very flexible job, so if you want to take a break from it or work on it part-time, that’s fine too!
If you like writing and want to share your voice with the world, then becoming a freelance writer could be perfect for you!
2. Start a Blog
The good news is that blogging doesn’t require a lot of capital. In fact, you can start your own blog for free using WordPress or Blogger.
And if you want more features (and more professional-looking results), there are plenty of paid options as well.
Blogging lets you connect with other people who share your interests and passions, which is an important part of being an entrepreneur.
It also helps you develop skills that you’ll need in any kind of business: planning and organizing, communicating with customers and suppliers, managing finances, etc.
3. Start a YouTube Channel
One of the most popular online businesses for teens is starting a YouTube channel.
If you have a passion for something, whether it’s gaming, makeup, or music, why not share it with the world?
YouTube is one of the easiest ways to make money online because you don’t have to sell anything or create any products.
All you need is an idea and some time! The great thing about YouTube is that there are no age restrictions.
Anyone can sign up, so it’s a good way for teens to get started on earning money online.
There are many different types of videos that can be created on YouTube, such as reviews, vlogs (video blogs), tutorials, and more.
You can also collaborations with other YouTubers to help promote each other’s channels and grow your subscriber base at the same time.
4. Start a Podcast
Teenagers are a creative bunch and you can tap into their imagination by starting a podcast with them.
You’ll need to choose a subject, create an outline and then record the episodes.
Once the podcast is created, you can sell it to advertisers or upload it on YouTube or SoundCloud.
You can also monetize your podcast by selling branded merchandise or tickets to events related to the subject of your podcast.
A great way for teens to make money from their podcasts is to have sponsors who advertise on their shows. This will allow them to make some extra cash.
5. Start a Car Wash and Detailing
If you love cars, then starting a car wash and detailing business could be the perfect small business idea for you.
You’ll need to get the equipment and materials for this business, but it’s important to note that the capital needed for setting up a car wash and detailing business is generally low.
Car washes are lucrative businesses because people are always looking to get their cars clean.
If you’re good at mechanics, then this could be a great opportunity to make some money while doing something you love.
You can run your own business or franchise it.
Either way, there’s no doubt that this is an excellent low-cost business idea for teens with little capital who want to make money fast.
6. Become a Web Developer
Web development is a great career for teens to consider.
It’s a lucrative field with plenty of opportunities and you don’t even need a college degree to get started.
Web developers are responsible for creating websites from scratch, updating existing sites, and troubleshooting problems on existing sites.
They usually work in teams and have to be familiar with various programming languages and techniques.
Learn how to code. You don’t have to know everything there is to know about coding right away, but it helps if you have the basics down.
You can learn more about coding at Lynda or Udemy.com, two popular video tutorial platforms that are easy to use and free for basic plans (although premium plans will cost money).
Get some experience working as an intern at a web development agency or tech company so that you can build up your portfolio and make connections with professionals in this industry who might be willing to hire you when they see what kind of work you do.
8. Start a Catering Business
If you have a passion for food or have a special recipe in your head, then starting a catering business could be your thing.
You may be able to use your kitchen at home or even rent one out for the purpose of making other people happy with the food.
Catering is a great way to make money as well as help others.
The only downside is that you will need to do some advertising and marketing so that people know about your business.
If you are good at cooking, then this will not be an issue at all!
If you’re not sure how to start your own catering business, here are some ideas:
Host parties – Hosting parties is one of the easiest ways to make money as a teenager.
All you need is some friends and family and a few snacks and drinks.
You can even host a themed party like Game Night or Movie Night!
Offer food delivery – If you live in an area where people don’t have time to cook healthy meals, offer them healthy ready-made meals delivered straight from your kitchen!
This can be done online or at local markets where people gather every day.
Sell homemade products – If your parents have a garden or grow their own vegetables, ask if they would let you sell them at local markets or even online.
9. Become a Professional Cleaner
Cleaning is a business that you can run from home. You can get clients through word of mouth or by putting up flyers in your area.
Cleaning jobs are also ideal for teens because they are typically easy and fast to do, but you can charge a reasonable amount of money because people will pay to have their homes cleaned.
You don’t need any special equipment or skills to become a cleaner. All you need is a broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner, duster, and mop.
If you have some extra time on your hands and want to make more money, consider getting a professional cleaning kit that includes more tools and products used while cleaning.
10. Open a Computer Repair Store
If you have the skills and knowledge about computers, then you can open your own computer repair store.
This is a very profitable business that will not require much investment from your side.
However, it is important that you have the necessary skills as well as knowledge of how things work inside a computer.
You can also learn all these things at home by reading books or watching videos online.
11. Teach Music Lessons
Teaching music is another great option for teens who want to start their own business without spending too much money on it.
If you are good at singing or playing an instrument, then this could be the right choice for you.
You just need to advertise yourself and wait until people find out about your talent and start booking lessons with you.
12. Tutoring for younger kids
Tutoring is something that many people are willing to pay for if they’re struggling in a certain subject area at school or university.
If you’re good at math or science, consider offering your services as an after-school tutor so that other students can improve their grades and get better jobs once they graduate!
13. Open a Woodworking shop
Woodworking is a lucrative and popular hobby that many people take up as a way to relax after work or school.
If you know how to use woodworking tools and have some money saved up, you can easily start your own woodworking shop as a side business.
You could even sell your creations online if they’re popular enough!
14. Become a Photographer
Taking photos of people and places is an art form that has been around since the invention of the camera.
Many people make their living as professional photographers, but you don’t need to go to school for years or even get a degree in photography to be successful at it.
If you have a good eye for composition and like taking pictures, you can make money as a freelance photographer.
The first thing you’ll need is a camera. If you’re just starting out, I suggest getting something like the Canon EOS M50 or Nikon D3400.
Those are some great entry-level cameras with good image quality and they’re very affordable as well!
15. Become a Social Media Manager
Social media managers work for companies, helping them monitor and manage their social media accounts.
They also create content for these accounts and engage with followers, customers, and potential customers.
As a teen, you can take on this job in your spare time to help cover the cost of your school fees or other expenses.
If you’re looking for something that will allow you to work from home, or even from the local coffee shop, then this could be the perfect job for you.
From building social media strategies to creating content that engages users, this career path can offer a wide range of opportunities.
16. Become a Virtual Assistant
A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative or technical services to clients remotely, via the internet and email.
You can work as a virtual assistant from anywhere in South Africa, as long as you have access to the internet.
There are many ways to make money in this industry. Some companies offer part-time jobs, while others hire full-time employees.
If you’re looking for a full-time job, ask about the company’s previous experience with international workers.
The best way to find work as a virtual assistant is by creating your own website and marketing yourself through social media and networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.