Being self-employed is actually quite popular among the tween and teen sets. Many young entrepreneurs have hit the big time. Here are some opportunities to think about.

Owning a successful and profitable business is not totally a dream for young entrepreneurs. There have been many proven cases of kids hitting the big time with income opportunities. Take a look at some of these money maker ideas and see if one might be right for your child. Be sure that your child learns some of the tips and tricks to making a business successful.

Animal Factory

Earnings:

• $3.50 for small animals
• $5.00 for larger animals

Age: 10+

General Idea: Make big stuffed animal pillows and sell them in a store or to friends/relatives/neighbors

Artwork

Earnings: $2.00/painting

Age: 8+

General Idea: Set up an art gallery for grown-ups to attend and buy your artwork. Don’t be sloppy and do a good job. Make the artwork look nice. Consider gallery shows at places like nursing homes, doctor or dentist offices, public libraries, or recreation centers, or even your own backyard! You can set up your gallery somewhere with a sign of who you are and how much you are selling your artwork for, and then come back in a week or so and see if you’ve made some money!

Buy And Sell Used Bikes

Earnings: $20.00 To $60.00 Per Bike

Age: 10+

General Idea: Buy old bikes that cost $5 to $10. Once you have them, you have to fix them up and sell them for more. Remember the experience depends on how well it sells. Buy in style bikes, but make sure they're cheap. Also, to sell them, go to garage sales of others with the bike and advertise.

Typist

Earnings: What you charge will be determined on the length of the job and the number of copies needed. This can be discussed with your customer.

Age: 10+

General Idea: Offer to print up menus for restaurants. Have some sample menus to show them how well you can type and make something look good on paper. You can also print newsletters for various organizations. Be a careful typist and very accurate. Ideas of places to go would be: retirement homes, social organizations, small businesses, health clubs, dance groups, churches, etc.

Happy Birthday Company

Earnings: $10-12/per party

Age: 10+

General Idea: Talk with parents about planning their child’s Birthday Party. Let parents take care of refreshments and party favors. You do the rest! Have a schedule made well in advance of the activities to take place. Keep in close contact with the parents to be sure they agree with your plans. Remember that although you are planning the party, it is the child’s Birthday Party and they should feel important the entire time!

Sports & Study Clinic

Earnings: Charge more for one-on-one tutoring than for group instruction.

Age: 15+

General Idea: Are you good at something? Do you like baseball, knitting, or tennis, or perhaps drawing? Make yourself a game plan to teach other people your special skills. You can only be successful at a sports clinic if you have patience with others and concentrate on your work. You will be judged by what others learn. Make it fun. Try to incorporate games into learning. Post notices at places like the YMCA or YWCA, community center, library, recreation center, or anywhere kids and their parents are likely to see them.

Look here for some other job opportunities for tweens and teens.