subject: Young Entrepreneurs Can Get Creative In Finding Ways To Earn Money [print this page] Many of the most successful people in business have been driven since childhood. From an early age, they either had a goal or a passion - or both! - and didn't let anyone or anything stop them from accomplishing miracles. When you're young, you often don't know what you can't do, and these people simply never let the naysayers put doubt into their hearts.
While being under the age of 15 or 16 means you can't get hired in most places, kids who are short on pocket change often come up with clever ideas to enhance their bottom lines. Lemonade stands, lawn mowing and weeding, and dog walking are the old standbys, but the kids who make the real money go beyond the cliches into innovative new places.
Today's kids have lots of computer skills. When I was in school, the best I could was type a little and program in BASIC, but these days, even my two year old can find his favorite cartoon characters' websites and play their games without any help from me. If an older child is savvy around computers and other electronics, he or she can profit from either teaching other (usually older) people how to set up and use the internet or other programs, programming, or figuring out complicated electronics.
Another idea is for kids to start a business selling stuff on eBay or other, similar types of sites. With the help of a parent, who must be willing to oversee the business and help with legal issues, kids can find stuff around the house that they can learn to effectively market online. As it is likely that they have not paid for many of the items they sell, they will turn pure profit. Smart children will begin to see the advantage of re-investing their earnings into buying other salable finds from yard and rummage sales or thrift stores and selling them at a profit. With practice, they will learn what is and is not in demand, and whether a certain item is likely to net them a profit.
A child who likes to tinker should be encouraged as much as possible. Even if he never invents something marketable in his youth (although there are some who have managed to find a niche and market a best-selling gadget), the experience is a valuable teacher. Taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from those mistakes instills a sense of confidence in a child he might not otherwise have. While not an immediate money-maker, a passion for engineering could lead far.
With a little thought and creativity, kids can make and reach their own financial goals, and in the process gain knowledge and skills that will serve them well in adulthood.
by: Art Gib
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