Starting as a Teen Entrepreneur

My story

During covid, everyone was doing something to keep them busy or make a difference. Whether it was distributing food or clothes or teaching underprivileged children. What was I doing? I was a 13 year old girl who used to attend school from bed and then spend the rest of my day online shopping or sleeping. I was simply wasting time. One day, while online shopping for a new phone cover, I thought to myself, why don't I start customising, designing and selling phone covers. I was already heavily into Graphic designing and after making a small plan, I decided to speak to my parents about it. Without a second thought, my parents told me to go for it and enjoy myself. During the next week, My father and I went to Crawford Market (A large market in Mumbai which sells everything a person will need) and bargained prices for the covers, packaging and printing costs. We did several trials, figured out what was working and what was not. Since I had no previous economics knowledge, my father helped me calculate costs, budgets, profits and more. On 18th June, 2021, I began my page and started posting. Within the first week, with orders from my friends, family and acquiescence, I broke even. From there, it was a ladder growth for me.

Being a teem entrepreneur can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It's a great way to learn valuable skills, develop your creativity, and gain financial independence at a young age. Here are some steps to helped me get started as a teen entrepreneur:

1. Identify your interests: Think about what you enjoy doing or what you're passionate about. It could be anything from baking, crafting, coding, tutoring, or even offering a service like dog walking or lawn mowing.

2. Research your idea: Once you have identified your interests, research the market for your chosen idea. Look for similar products or services and determine how you can differentiate yourself and offer something unique.

3. Develop a business plan: Create a simple business plan outlining your goals, target market, pricing, and marketing strategies. This will help you stay organized and focused on your objectives.

4. Start small: Begin by testing your idea on a small scale. For example, if you're interested in baking, you can start by selling cookies or cupcakes to your friends, family, and neighbors. This will allow you to gain experience, receive feedback, and make improvements.

5. Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals for your business. This could include targets for sales, customer satisfaction, or expanding your customer base. Regularly evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed.

6. Learn from others: Seek guidance from adult entrepreneurs or mentors who can provide you with advice and support. Attend local entrepreneurship events or workshops where you can network with like-minded individuals and learn from their experiences.

7. Embrace continuous learning: As a child entrepreneur, there is always room for improvement. Read books, watch educational videos, and take online courses to enhance your skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

8. Manage your finances: Keep track of your income and expenses. Learn the basics of budgeting and financial management. It's important to understand how much you're earning and how much you're investing back into your business.

9. Stay motivated and persevere: Building a business takes time and effort. Stay motivated even when faced with challenges or setbacks. Learn from failures and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

10. Balance work and school: As a child entrepreneur, it's crucial to find a balance between your business and school responsibilities. Make sure to prioritize your education and manage your time effectively to avoid neglecting your studies.

11. Dont be afraid to ask for help: Never think that asking for help will make you seem weak because it does it. If someone offers, never say no because you do not know how much they may actually be able to hekp you.

Remember, being a child entrepreneur is a journey of learning and growth. Have fun, stay curious, and don't be afraid to take risks. With determination and a positive mindset, you can turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality!