15 small business ideas for teens to start making money now

Small business ideas for teens: A teenage girl talks on the phone while writing an address on a shipping box

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Key Takeaways

There are tons of low-cost businesses for teens that can use skills you already have, like washing cars, yardwork, pet sitting, helping people with their computers, and more.

To get started, choose an idea and start small, set prices, put the word out, and choose ways to accept payments and track earnings and expenses.

Tools like Greenlight let you manage your business earnings on your own debit card while keeping parents in the loop, giving you some financial independence with a built-in safety net.

Even teens have to pay taxes and may need appropriate vending licenses, so lean on financial education resources and check with your parents to make sure you’re doing it right.

You don’t need a degree, a loan, or even a car to start making real money. As a teen, you have time, energy, and zero overhead, which can be hugely valuable when starting a business.

Whether you’re saving up for something big, building your first financial cushion, or just tired of asking your parents for cash, starting a small business is one of the smartest moves you can make.

15 business ideas for teen entrepreneurs

These businesses require little to no upfront cost and are flexible and realistic for someone with no business experience. Whether you’re hands-on, creative, or more comfortable online, there’s something on this list for you. Pick the one that fits your skills and schedule, and start there.

Note that while we’ve provided some rough estimates, what to charge can vary greatly depending on where you live, how big the job is, your expertise, and more. You’ll need to do some local research to determine your prices.

1. Pet sitting and dog walking

Dog walking can be a simple job for teens with animals that also requires very little equipment or startup money. You can walk dogs in your neighborhood and advertise your services with low-cost flyers or through social media platforms like NextDoor. Always partner with your parents and use safety on the internet.

What to charge: $15–$25/walk, $25–$50/night for sitting

2. Lawn care and yard work

If you’re experienced in helping your family clean up your own lawn, consider offering services to neighbors such as mowing, weeding, landscaping, gardening, and other outdoor home maintenance tasks. You may need to provide your own equipment, but most homeowners have their own lawn mowers and other equipment you can use.

What to charge: $20–$50/yard depending on size and tasks

3. Car washing and detailing

Vehicle upkeep and maintenance can be costly. Why not get a piece of that action when you start a mobile car washing and detailing business? Washing cars doesn’t require much equipment. Detailing requires more skill and specialized equipment, but you can usually charge significantly more, especially with the convenience of traveling to your customers.

What to charge: $20–$40 for a wash, $75–$150 for full detailing

4. Babysitting or mother’s helper

Child care is a classic teen business, and for good reason: Demand is high and it’s suitable to start as a younger teen. If you’re a patient person who’s good with kids, babysitting can easily keep you as busy as you want to be on nights and weekends.

What to charge: $10–$18/hour depending on age and location

5. Tutoring younger students

Tutoring kids and fellow teens in subjects you are skilled at can be a profitable business, and it doesn’t have to be just school subjects. You could also teach music lessons, sports, or even in-demand beginner coding. Use digital tools to connect with students outside of your area, as well, for wider prospects.

What to charge: $15–$40/hour, more for specialized subjects

6. Errand running and delivery assistance

Busy adults will gladly pay someone reliable to pick up groceries, drop off packages, or grab a prescription. All you need is a bike or a parent willing to drive. Start by offering your services to neighbors and family friends, then spread the word through a simple social media post.

What to charge: $15–$25/errand or $12–$18/hour

7. Social media help for local businesses

Old school businesses don’t always want to spend a lot of time or money on social media, but now more than ever they need a digital presence to stay relevant. Offer services to create posts that engage with local audiences, take photos, and optimize websites for generative AI searches for your neighborhood pizza place or hair salons.

What to charge: $100–$300/month per client

8. Selling handmade products

Get your craft on and make desirable, handmade items such as crochet stuffies, bag charms, jewelry, stickers, or candles. Check out local vending options such as craft fairs or create a low-cost online store through platforms like Etsy.

What to charge: $5–$50/item but highly variable by product

9. Print-on-demand products

Anyone can publish art and writing projects with print-on-demand services without needing inventory space or high upfront investment. If you’ve designed a coloring book or homework planner, check out some beginner-friendly online platforms that will print your products on demand and even ship them to your buyers.

What to charge: $2–$10 profit per sale

10. Selling digital products

Selling digital products is ideal for those with some design skills thinking about online business ideas. Create printables, such as kid crafts for teachers, or publish e-books to create a product that can sell repeatedly, earning you passive income over time.

What to charge: $3–$20 per download

11. Content creation and streaming

If you see a future in content creation, such as creating TikTok videos or gamer streaming, getting started in your teens is ideal. Content creation as an influencer is something you can work on flexibly, but it also requires consistency to gain momentum for monetization and sponsorship over time. These may not pay today, but they can be the basis of long-term creative endeavors.

What to charge: $0 to start, $100–$500+/month once monetized

12. Thrift flipping and resale

Young people can also start a lucrative business buying and reselling existing products. This could look like buying used items to sell on eBay. If you’re handy with tools and enjoy crafting, consider upcycling old furniture and selling it. You can find inexpensive pieces at thrift stores, refurbish them, and sell them for a profit.

What to charge: $10–$100+ profit per item, depending on the item

13. Tech help for neighbors

Tech skills that are intuitive to you as a teen may still be a struggle for older adults or busy families. Offer your services for setting up computers or tablets or even coordinating digital calendars for neighbors who aren’t sure how to get started.

What to charge: $15–$25/hour

14. Video editing and content support

Even if you don’t want to be a TikTok star yourself, you can provide editing, filming, and posting services to local businesses. Not every business has the time to learn the ins and outs of short-form content, but if you’re a master swiper, offer your services and get paid for it.

What to charge: $50–$200/video or $150–$400/month per client

15. AI-assisted services

AI is a huge buzzword in business right now, so it’s a good idea to learn how AI assistants can help the business world. Once you learn about how to use AI for content generation, organization, and design, offer your services to small or local businesses who need some help.

What to charge: $50–$200/project

How to start a business as a teen

Any teen, even someone who has just turned 13 years old, can start a business when they follow simple steps. Here’s how to start a business as a kid or teen:

Step 1: Identify the skills you have

Whether it’s tutoring, caretaking, computer, or something else, this makes the work easier and your customers more confident in hiring you.

Step 2: Pick one idea and test it small

Offer your service to one or two people first to work out the kinks before scaling up.

Step 3: Set fair but worthwhile prices

Research what others in your area charge for similar services and aim to be competitive. Remember that your work has real worth, so never undervalue your time.

Step 4: Set up a simple way to collect payment

Aside from cash, ways to take payment include Venmo, Cash App, and Square. Having a quick, professional way to get paid makes you look more credible and saves from needing to have enough cash to make change.

Step 5: Spread the word via neighbors, social media, and flyers

Your first customers are almost always people who already know and trust you, so start close to home before reaching out to a wider audience.

Step 6: Track income and expenses from day one

Knowing exactly how much you’re making and spending is the foundation of every successful business. A simple notes app or spreadsheet is all you need to stay on budget.

Step 7: Request parental expertise for important financial aspects like taxes

You should do some of your own research, but your parents or guardians can help you navigate things like setting up a bank account, understanding self-employment basics, and staying on the right side of tax rules.

Managing your business earnings and savings

Starting and growing a successful business also requires smart money management skills. Greenlight, the #1 family finance and safety app, can help you manage your money wisely, whether your income is from an allowance or a small business.

Learn how to budget, set savings goals to raise startup costs, earn interest, and use a debit card safely to pay for supplies and business expenses. Sign up for Greenlight today!

The Greenlight® prepaid card is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.

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