Can’t Find a Job? Create Your Own!

05/07/2010

Summer is right around the corner and if you have been striking out with the traditional paths to summer employment, maybe it’s time to get creative and start your own business! Starting your own lawn mowing, babysitting, dog walking, tutoring, or car washing service will allow you to do something that you are good at and enjoy while also learning valuable skills.

Before you get your new business off the ground there are a few steps you should take:

•  Do your research: Figure out exactly what you want to do. What services will you provide? How much will you charge? Is there a need for your service in the area? 

• Advertise: Use Facebook and Twitter to get the word out about your new business in addition to using more traditional advertising sources such as distributing flyers and going door-to-door. The most important way your new business will get customers will be through networking and recommendations from happy customers. 

• Get organized: Once your customers start coming in, it will be extremely important to keep appointments, expenses and profits straight. Remember, you are the one in charge and therefore have to take responsibility for both the good and the bad. If you start out and stay organized, you will be better off in the long run!

• Pay taxes if you owe them. As a part of your research, look into the laws in your state that apply to teens who are self-employed or considered household employees. We will elaborate more on this in our next post! Read more about if you need to pay taxes here.

While being your own boss has it perks—like not having a boss—it comes with a great deal of responsibility. Because there is no one else to tell you what to do, you will have to motivate yourself. Don’t feel like promoting your new business? Then you won’t have any customers!

One of the most important skills you will learn is how to deal with customers successfully. If one of your customers is unhappy, it will be up to you to make the situation right. Being able to provide customer satisfaction will be a very valuable skill no matter what career path you take. You should always strive to meet or exceed expectations, whether they are your customers, employees or employer.

Starting your own business will put you well on your way to becoming a successful adult in almost any job you do in the future, whether that is continuing in your own business or working for someone else. So get out there and become the next young entrepreneur!