Starting a business as a teen might sound tough, but honestly, it’s one of the best ways to learn real skills, earn some cash, and get a taste of the real world before adulthood. You don’t need a ton of money or years of experience to kick things off.
With the right idea and some determination, you can see your venture grow into something meaningful. Maybe you love animals, enjoy making stuff online, or have a skill you can share with others. There’s a path for you.
Let’s walk through some practical options for young entrepreneurs. These ideas can fit your schedule and grow with you, from the first spark to making it sustainable.
The Business Ideas
These ideas balance flexibility with real earning potential. Most require little startup cash and can expand as you gain more experience and customers.
Tutoring Services
Tutoring is a solid way to earn money while helping others. You can focus on subjects you know well, like math, science, English, or even test prep.
Start by tutoring younger kids in your neighborhood or classmates who need a little extra help. Teen tutors typically charge $20 to $30 per hour in 2025, depending on your subject and experience. More experienced high school tutors with specialized knowledge can charge $25 to $35 per hour.
As you build a good reputation, expand to online tutoring through video calls. This means no travel time and more flexible scheduling. You could also create simple study guides or worksheets for students to use between sessions.
Group tutoring is another option. Offer sessions at a lower per-person rate, so you earn more per hour and students still get affordable help.
Pro Tip: If you tutor three students at once for $15 each, you’re actually earning $45 per hour instead of $25 for one student. Start with one-on-one sessions to build confidence, then test group sessions once you have solid testimonials.
This works well if you enjoy helping others and want flexible earning that fits around school.
Babysitting and Childcare
Babysitting is still one of the most accessible business ideas for teens. Families always need someone trustworthy to watch their kids.
Getting certified in CPR and first aid helps you stand out. The national average babysitting rate is $22 to $25 per hour for one child in 2025. Teen babysitters typically start at $18 to $22 per hour depending on location. Adult sitters often make the higher end of the range, but experienced teens with CPR training can match those rates in many areas.
Families might pay more if you can handle bedtime, meals, or homework. Ask happy families for referrals, and make simple business cards with your info and certifications.
You could also offer date night packages or regular weekly care for steady income.
Great for responsible teens who enjoy working with kids and want repeat clients.
Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Pet sitting and dog walking bring in steady money since pet owners need help while at work or away. You can schedule clients around your school and other commitments.
Dog walking typically pays $25 to $35 per walk in 2025. You could walk a couple of dogs at once to boost your earnings. Pet sitting, which might include feeding, playtime, or overnight care, can bring in $30 to $65 per day per pet depending on the services provided.
Start with neighbors and family friends who already know you. You’ll need some basic supplies like leashes, waste bags, and treats. Keeping a simple log for each pet, feeding times, bathroom breaks, special instructions, shows owners you care and helps build trust.
Don’t underprice your services just because you’re a teen. If you’re providing reliable, professional care with insurance and proper supplies, charge rates that reflect your value. Pet owners prioritize trust and quality over saving a few dollars.
Perfect for animal lovers who want active work and the chance to build a loyal client base.
Lawn Care and Landscaping
Lawn care is a straightforward way to make money with just a little equipment.
Begin with mowing, edging, and yard cleanup using equipment you have or can borrow. Charge $30 to $60 per lawn in 2025, depending on size and services. Professional lawn services charge $45 to $147 per visit, so teens can start at the lower end and raise prices as experience grows.
Homeowners often need help with things like leaf raking, snow shoveling, or garden beds. Here are some services you might offer:
- Weekly or bi-weekly mowing
- Weeding and garden bed maintenance
- Seasonal cleanup
- Mulch spreading and basic landscaping
- Snow removal in winter
Offer package deals for weekly or monthly service. This way, you get predictable income and spend less time looking for new clients.
Example: If you’re charging $30 per lawn and completing two lawns per hour, that’s $60 per hour. But if you add edging for just $10 more and it only takes 5 extra minutes, you’ve increased your hourly rate to $80 with minimal additional effort.
Ideal for teens who enjoy working outdoors and want year-round earning opportunities.
Mobile Car Washing and Detailing
A mobile car wash brings the service to your customers, which busy families and professionals love. You only need basic supplies to start, and you can add more services as you learn.
Start with exterior washing and vacuuming, charging $25 to $45 per car. Full-service professional car washes now cost $50 to $100 in 2025, while basic drive-through washes run $10 to $25. As you get better, offer waxing, tire shining, or deep cleaning for $75 to $150 per car.
You’ll need car wash soap, towels, a vacuum, tire cleaner, and detailing spray. Most teens start by washing cars in customer driveways, using their water.
Try to schedule cars in the same neighborhood on the same day to save time and travel.
Works best for detail-oriented teens who like seeing immediate results and serving busy professionals.
Handmade Crafts and E-Commerce
Making and selling handmade crafts lets you use your creativity and learn about e-commerce. Etsy is a great platform for reaching people who love unique, handmade stuff.
Pick products you actually enjoy making, like jewelry, candles, art prints, or custom clothing. Check what similar items sell for so you can price yours fairly.
Start with 10 to 20 listings. That’s enough variety for shoppers without making things overwhelming.
Popular handmade items include:
- Custom jewelry and accessories
- Candles and wax melts
- Art prints and stickers
- Personalized gifts and decorations
- Upcycled or custom clothing
Take good photos of your products. Lighting and a clean background make a bigger difference than you’d think. If things go well, you can move to Shopify for more control over your online shop.
Perfect for creative teens who want to turn a hobby into income on a schedule they control.
Social Media Management for Small Businesses
A lot of small businesses struggle with social media. If you know your way around Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, you can help them out.
Offer to manage accounts for local businesses, coffee shops, boutiques, or service providers. You might charge $150 to $400 per month in 2025, depending on how many posts you create and which platforms you handle.
Start with a package, maybe three or four posts a week, basic captions, and responding to comments. Build a simple portfolio by helping family businesses or doing some projects at a discount.
Show examples of posts you’ve made and explain how regular posting keeps businesses visible. As you get better, add services like basic graphics, hashtag research, or content calendars.
Great for social media savvy teens who want remote work and the chance to help local businesses.
Freelance Writing and Creative Services
Freelance writing lets you turn your writing skills into cash while building a portfolio. Businesses need content for blogs, websites, social media, and emails.
You can find your first clients on Fiverr, Upwork, or by reaching out to small businesses nearby. Start with simple projects like blog posts, product descriptions, or social media captions. Charge $20 to $50 per piece as you’re building experience, then raise your rates as your portfolio grows.
Focus on topics you know well or enjoy researching. If you love gaming, write for gaming blogs. Interested in fitness? Pitch health and wellness sites. Specializing helps you stand out and makes writing easier.
Suits teens who enjoy writing and want work they can do from anywhere with flexible hours.
Steps to Turn Teen Business Ideas Into Growing Ventures
Starting a business takes more than just a clever idea. You need a plan for launching, promoting, and growing your venture.
How to Get Started as a Teen Entrepreneur
Start with a simple business plan, even if it’s just one page. Write down what you’ll offer, who your customers are, and how much you’ll charge.
Talk to your parents about any legal stuff. Some places require licenses or permits, even for teen-run businesses. You might need your parents’ help to open a business bank account, too.
Try your idea out on friends or neighbors first. This gives you a chance to practice, fix problems, and get honest feedback.
Track every dollar you spend and earn in a notebook or simple spreadsheet. Set specific targets for your first month. Instead of just “make money,” try “get five customers” or “earn $200.”
Marketing Your Teen Business Locally and Online
Make simple business cards or flyers to hand out nearby. Include your name, what you do, contact info, and one thing that makes you different.
Ask your first customers to spread the word if they’re happy with your work. Word of mouth is powerful, especially for local services. You could offer a small discount for referrals.
Build an online presence with free accounts where your customers hang out. Post photos of your work, share tips, and reply to messages quickly. Join local community groups online. When someone asks for a service you offer, introduce yourself and explain how you can help.
Scaling Up and Expanding Your Services
Once you have steady customers, look for ways to expand without burning out.
Add related services that fit with what you already do. If you mow lawns, maybe offer leaf raking or weeding.
Raise your prices a little as you gain experience and build a reputation. A lot of teen entrepreneurs undercharge at first, then realize their skills are worth more.
You could hire other teens to help with simple tasks. This way, you can take on more clients without doing everything yourself. Keep track of which services make you the most money and take the least time. Focus on those.
Leveraging Digital Tools and Platforms
Shopify and Etsy let you start selling quickly without building a site from scratch.
Shopify works well for a full online store, while Etsy feels more at home for handmade crafts and vintage items.
Try free design tools like Canva to create professional-looking graphics for your social media or marketing. Payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App let your customers pay instantly. Ask your parents to help you set up these accounts.
Thinking about content?
Platforms like Twitch for streaming or YouTube for vlogging bring built-in audiences to you.
E-commerce platforms also give you analytics that show which products are selling and where your customers come from. Use that info to decide what to offer next.
