Summer Jobs and Your Teen

Many teens will spend their summer vacations lounging on the couch, watching TV, or playing video games non-stop. However, nearly every one of them would like the opportunity to make money to spend how they want. Why not encourage your teen to start his or her own summer business? This is a way to keep them occupied, engaged, and making money that is their own. It's actually not that difficult to teach your child the basics of a business venture even if you don't know how yourself.

1. The Idea - First, you'll need to find an idea that works best for yourself and your teen. Lawn-mowing and yard care is always a highly sought after service your teen could invest in. Selling night-crawlers if you live near a river, lake, or reservoir could be ideal as well. The whole purpose of this step is to fill a need that is neglected in your area that is safe for your teen to practice.

2. Bookkeeping - If you don't have the money to purchase proper bookkeeping software from the likes of Intuit for the simple use of your teen's new business, free accounting software can be used such as GNU Cash. Have the teen set up the entire account in order to start tracking funds, inventory, and supplies. You can even go so far as to demonstrate how net-worth works from a business perspective. Although you may not have an actual bank account open for your teens business, have a cash reserve that is labeled "bank" as a reference.

3. Supplies and Inventory - Once the accounting software has been set up and ready to start entering information, now is the time to gather the supplies. While your teen may not have the money to invest in what is needed, you can demonstrate how a "loan" or even how purchasing "shares" in a company works as you supply them with starting capital. Once this has been established, the teen will need to develop a supply and inventory list as well as any equipment he or she needs in order to complete the task.

4. Advertising Budget - If they don't know you exist, how are they going to contact you? Helping your teen set up an advertising budget will demonstrate the importance of marketing. Although this may entail simple flyers, business cards, and pin-up sheets on cork-boards at the supermarket and telephone poles, it is still an important lesson about the importance of marketing your business for success. You could even get creative and put some graphic design lessons within this aspect if you have a talent for it. At any rate, advertising is important for any business and staying within the allotted budget could mean the difference between survival and bankruptcy.

5. Payroll - As your teen is probably not going to be able to afford his or her own hourly wages, you'll need to help them determine a fair commission of the services. This is where strict adherence is important. You need to teach the teen that the business needs to be able to sustain itself for continued growth. If they were to take all of the money, there would be nothing left for advertising, equipment, or inventory. The commission should be able to give them a little bit of spending money, but not too much to starve the business.

6. Employees - What teen doesn't want to include his or her friends in the business venture? However, does your teen understand what it means to take on additional help? Although they won't have to worry about insurance premiums or social security taxes, they will still need to realize that increasing the payroll budget decreases another aspect of the business. Having additional help could increase the income in a business that is geared towards timeliness or services that are on location. Two lawn-mower customers at once are better than one.

7. Strategies for Improvement - Using the reports generated by GNU Cash or other bookkeeping software, your teen can see where the money goes. This can help them develop a strategy to increase profits by lowering costs or coming up with plans and innovations to increase revenue. In this regard, the teen will need your help or you can sit with them as they scour the Internet for suggestions and ideas. You might learn something yourself by this experience.

A summer business can work for your teen in a variety of ways. It can teach discipline, dedication, bookkeeping, and could possibly instill pride and responsibility in your child if you support their ideas. They will be faced with real world challenges and have to develop ways to overcome disadvantages. It is a worthwhile endeavor and could inspire your child to continue learning more about business ethics and social responsibility. In any event, it will be a learning experience as they have an opportunity to make their own money to spend in any way they wish.

Author Bio:

Rachel is an ex-babysitting pro as well as a professional writer and blogger. She is a graduate from Iowa State University and currently writes for www.babysitting.net. She welcomes questions/comments which can be sent to rachelthomas.author @ gmail.com.

Teens, Careers and Encouraging Entrepreneurship

Encouraging your teens today is part of parenting.  Every parent wants to see their child succeed.  With all of today’s technology there are many ways social media and social networking can help and in some ways hinder (if they are not careful with what they post online) with their future.


These days, the traditional path of getting a good education and going to work in the corporate world isn’t always the best way to find success. Although it’s still a great choice, many young people prefer instead to take a path of entrepreneurship, and there’s a lot that parents can do to help them follow that path. Lemonade stands, family learning adventures, and smart financial lessons are just a few of the ways that parents can instill an entrepreneurial attitude of success in their children from a very early age.

Read on to find out how you can help your child become a great entrepreneur from the very start.

1. Kids earn an allowance for chores, not for existing:

   Instill a good work ethic in your children by requiring that they earn their allowance. Emptying the dishwasher, mowing the lawn, and washing the family dog are all ways that kids can learn how to earn money. Take it a step further by encouraging them to do similar tasks for neighbors as a way to earn additional money.

2. Create a bank account for your child:

   Lay the foundation for earning money by giving it a place to go. When your child earns money, make going to the bank a major event that is it’s own reward. Have fun helping your kids do the math and figure out how much they’ve put away in the bank for all their hard work.

3. Share opportunities for extra earning:

   Teach your children that going above and beyond leads to increased earning. Give them the opportunity to do more difficult chores that go above what they’re normally expected to do. Trent at The Simple Dollar suggests that kids can pull weeds, and parents will pay a certain amount for every pound of weeds delivered.

4. Encourage good personal finance skills:

   Kids begging for items at the store might be annoying, but it’s a teachable moment. When your child asks for a toy that’s out of budget or not really necessary, make it a goal to earn enough money to buy it. Encourage your child to come up with ideas for ways to make enough for the toy and maybe even more.

5. Encourage them to follow their ideas:

   Whether your kids want to start a blog, sell vegetables from your garden, or set up a classic lemonade stand, give them your time and encouragement. Let them learn by doing, and find opportunities for lessons along the way. Ask them to consider how they’ll fund their startup, where to get supplies, how much to charge, how to find their customers, and of course, what to do with the money they earn. You should of course set some limitations for time, legality, and safety, but be open to let your kids explore their own ideas. Allow them to fail, and turn failures into learning moments.

6. Teach good teamwork:

   Rarely do entrepreneurs succeed completely independently. Even if they’re in business alone, they’re networking, getting others interested, and meeting with people that can help get their business off the ground. Learning how to work with others is essential for success, so be sure to encourage group work in school, in your home, and beyond.

7. Encourage team sports:

   Team sports are a great way to teach kids to work with others, and they’re also great for learning business lessons. Chances are, they won’t win every game, but the setbacks and hard work that are a part of playing sports can teach kids how to work toward success.

8. Be available:

   Every great entrepreneur needs a mentor, and for your kids, you are that person. Although you should encourage your child to operate independently, always be there to answer questions or offer helpful suggestions. If you don’t know how to solve a problem, learn how to do it together.

9. Teach your kids to be self-starters:

   Doing what they’re told is easy for most kids. Asking them to complete certain chores is simple and straightforward. But if you want them to start thinking creatively, encourage their initiative. Ask them to come up with ideas for chores that need to be done, or encourage them to plan a meal and cook for the family once a week.

10. Encourage adventure and observational skills:

    Some of the best entrepreneurs found success simply by filling a need that no one else even knew existed. The world is full of business opportunities, if only we could notice them. Parents can help their children learn to recognize these types of opportunities by developing observation and creativity. Walk around your neighborhood with your kids and consider which needs are not being met. Do you have neighbors that need lawn care? Businesses that need a website? Teach kids to recognize and anticipate the needs of others.

11. Teach problem-solving:

    Entrepreneurship can be a bumpy road full of obstacles and challenges to overcome, even for the best-laid plans. Show your children that problems are just solutions that have not been solved yet. Give them small challenges to overcome, and nudge them in the right direction to find a solution.

12. Show your own entrepreneurial spirit:

    Kids can learn about entrepreneurship by watching you in your own venture. Even if you’re working a 9-to-5 office job, you can take on a small entrepreneurial experience on the side. Selling crafts on Etsy, walking dogs, and doing handyman (or woman) work is a great way to set an example. Be sure to openly share your experiences with your kids.

13. Tell them about great entrepreneurs:

    In addition to setting your own example in entrepreneurship, encourage your kids to learn from the greats. Tell them the stories of young, successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg, who started Facebook in his dorm room. Give them examples and role models to look up to and be inspired by. Show them that others are making it big as entrepreneurs, even other teens and young adults.

14. Point them in the direction of Junior Achievement:

    Many schools have chapters of Junior Achievement, an organization that brings business owners into schools to teach and mentor students as they create entrepreneurial opportunities. This is a great way for your child to learn about leadership, teamwork, and real world entrepreneurship in a team setting.

15. Play business games:

    Many games exist to teach kids the basics of business. Make learning about entrepreneurship fun by engaging your children in these games. In one such game, Disney’s Hot Shot Business, children decide what to do when a comic book company leaves town and leaves the opportunity to utilize resources.

Sue Scheff: Teens that inspire

Being a Parent Advocate offers me an opportunity to meet not only parents, but also amazing teens.

With my organization, Parents’ Universal Resource Experts (P.U.R.E.), we are in contact with parents that are struggling with their teenager. Whether it is failing school, defiance, disrespectful, running away (sneaking out), using drugs and/or alcohol as well as other negative behaviors, parents are at their wit’s end.

Teens that inspire need to be recognized. I am listing a few that I have personally been in contact with and believe that parents will be amazed at what teenagers can accomplish. Some of these teens have taken a negative situation in their life and turned it around to help others. Then we have a 12 year old wonder boy! Take time to visit these websites and learn how one teen can change the lives of thousands.

Cati Cares– Cati is an amazing 16 year old that has created awareness and a crusade to help STOP bullying and cyberbullying. As a victim herself in the 6th grade, she has turned her unpleasant and hurtful experience into a campaign to help other teens. Her website offers Internet safety tips, Cyberbully Prevention and much more. Join her movement today! Follow Cati on Twitter at @wwwCatiCarescom

Joni Poole – When you think of a survivor, think of Joni. On August 22, 2007, Joni was raped and sexually assaulted. She was only 16 at the time. Since this horrific assault, Joni found the strength to fight back legally and found justice. From here, Joni could have moved on with life and attempted to put this time behind her. Instead, she created Sexual Assault Abuse and Rape Awareness (S.A.A.R.A.) Joni is now a voice to be heard and fighting for victims of sexual abuse. Join Joni on Facebook and MySpace. Help her to help others.

Danielle Herb –At 15 years old, Danielle has accomplished more than many adults do in a lifetime. Danielle created a program for ADHD/Autistic children with her expertise in horsemanship. Drop Your Reins is becoming nationally recognized, and Danielle is the driving force. As an ADHD child herself, she truly relates to the children and inspires them to overcome their fears. Learn more about this unbelievable teen at Drop Your Reins and follow her on Twitter at @DanielleHerb.

Lane S. – He is our 12 year wonder boy who is an incredible source of information and has a maturity that will blow you away! He owns, operates and writes for his website – http://www.kidcriticusa.com/– where he gives you insights through “kid’s point of view”. When I found out he was only 12, I was shocked. Be sure to follow him on Twitter at @KidCriticUSA and I am sure you will see what I and many others have realized, Lane is going places!

Krysten Moore – Grace, dignity, integrity, and beauty, both inside and out. Krysten is one of several of the Bullying Prevention Spokesperson (s) for Love Our Children USA. At 17 years old, she was Miss Teen New Jersey International. When I meet her, I was in awe of her. As a sophomore in college now, she is still active in helping others fight bullying and cyberbullying. In my latest book, Google Bomb, on page 198, you can read about Krysten’s experiences in school and how she was teased and bullied. She took action, took her life back and continues to be a voice against bullying.

For more info: Please take the time to visit each of these amazing teens websites. Send them an email of support and follow them on Twitter!

Also posted on the Examiner.com