While starting a business can be tough for anyone, doing so while you are still under the age of 18 can even be more challenging. There will inevitably be a lot of hurdles along the way but the rewards will be worth it. To increase your chances of getting the results you need from your first business endeavor, here are some useful tips you may want to consider.
How to Increase Your Chances of Success
- Go with your heart. Most successful teen entrepreneurs have one thing in common ? they do what they love. So, if you want to increase your chances of reaping the rewards of a successful business undertaking, make sure you choose a business idea that is in demand and aligns well with your passion.
- Learn how to spot opportunities. Keep your eyes and ears open for any business opportunities. If something came up and you are confident that you can deliver the expected results, then go for it.
- Find a niche. Competing with bigger, more established businesses will not get you anywhere. You would get far better results by identifying something that people needs or wants and providing it.
- Come up with a cool name for your business. Giving your business a name can help you establish your expertise and reinforce the value of your products and services. Just make sure that your chosen name attracts attention and makes sense to your target customers. Get creative but avoid using cute puns that no one understands.
- Know how much to charge. After determining what you want to do, you should then set a competitive price for your products and/or services. You can get an idea of how much other teens charge for similar products and/or services by doing a quick online research.
- Promote your business. Consider printing flyers to advertise your business along with your rates and contact information. Distribute them in your neighborhood and post some in the community notice boards of local stores and coffee shops. You can also ask your parents to help you promote your business at their place of work.
- Keep everything organized. Keep track of all your clients. Use a calendar, an appointment book or any other organizational tool such as Microsoft Outlook or an online project management tool in managing your time and billing your clients.
- Be conservative when investing. Don’t overinvest in supplies and equipment. You can always buy what you need as your business grows.
- Look for discounts. You can save a lot of money by scouring the internet to find the best prices for your raw materials and other business essentials. For all you know, putting a little extra effort can help you save hundreds of dollars.
