Okay, so you're a teenager. You are in desperate need of money, which in turn means in need of a job. Where will you go? If you're 17 or around there you can probably get a job at most places for a meager minimum wage pay. Minimum wage? Last time I checked that was like in the six-dollar range!
An able-bodied and energetic teenager like you should be rewarded more than that. Read on if you wish to find out how to make a neighborhood business making at least twice this amount on your own time!
Step 1: Find a need
- Take a drive or walk around your neighborhood. Find a common need to all. Is this lawn mowing? Trimming? Gardening? Seaweed cleanup? Pool maintenance?
- Once a need is established, decide by yourself if you would realistically do this work on a daily to weekly basis
Step 2: See if anybody would be interested
A service wouldn't be fruitful if there was no demand! Go door to door in your neighborhood and politely ask if they would possibly be interested in your service. They don't have to commit to anything, this is just to see for yourself if your business would work. Ask how much they'd be willing to pay for the service.
Step 3: Find a buddy
Labor goes much faster when working with a friend, so ask a couple of friends if they'd want to do this with you. Tell them around what they would get paid per hour and how often it would be.
Step 4: Create your business
This is where you actually get people to commit to your service. Go door to door again and see if anybody will agree. Most likely you will get many, but try to not to get too much on your plate. If you feel you don't have quite enough takers, put up fliers around your neighborhood describing your service and the price associated with it.
Step 5: Do the work!
- Make sure you are on time (if times were set) and that you do a very high quality job. You could even rake in some tips! Be very personable and professional.
- Every once in a while, have a meeting individually with the people you are servicing just to check up on how you're doing and if the pay is okay
Whatever you decide to do, it will probably be very successful. Most middle-aged people like teenagers who take initiative because it is against teenagers' image. I have a very successful lawn mowing business around my neighborhood and am very much better off than my Target and Blockbuster working friends.
Hope I helped!
