Ever heard of getting a micro business as a gift?
Tammy Murray of Sacramento, received an amazing gift for Christmas: the business of her dreams.

Tammy’s son, Bryan, heard his mom talking about her dream business — sending cookies and care packages to college students — for more than a year. Tammy’s done a bit of groundwork. She has the recipes and lined up a commercial kitchen. She even had a possible name for her business: Tammy Loves Cookies or TLC.

Like so many entrepreneurs, Tammy’s timid about taking the next steps. So Bryan decided to give her a gentle push. For Christmas, he’d give his mom some business cards, a website, and a domain name.

What a neat idea!  Read more here.

If you are a teenager looking to start a micro business, did you put I want a micro business on your Christmas list? Why not!

Here’s what you could ask for:

• Computer
• Accounting software like Quickbooks
• An hour with an accountant to guide you and answer your questions
• A logo designed by a graphic artist
• Business cards
• Books on business and entrepreneurship, especially the Micro Business for Teens books!
• A few hours with a virtual assistant to set up a mailing list or a shopping cart

Some of these might be difficult to wrap, but a gift certificate explaining the gift can be drawn up on a computer or simply written by hand.  It’s the thought that counts!

Merry Christmas

Carol Topp, CPA

From a reviewer on Amazon.com:

I enjoyed Starting a Micro Business – from the Micro Business for Teens book series. The book was informative and no doubt a godsend to teens and mothers and fathers of teens as it was a great tool to get a teen started in a business of any kind.

In the Introduction the author Carol Topp explained the reason she wrote the book, “This book is geared toward teenagers and their lives. There are no unrealistic expectations of opening a restaurant. There are ideas of businesses that real teenagers have started and run successfully. I provide a lot of examples of teenagers I know personally. I walk you through some very important topics such as making a plan and avoiding debt. That’s how this book is different!”

The author is a CPA thus she has the knowledge and ability to offer her readers practical advice about becoming a micro business owner. I found the definition of a micro business as opposed to an entrepreneurship interesting. The Micro Businesses Are Popular statistics (page 13) was quite surprising.

Examples of teens running micro businesses inspired me to be better focused on my own micro business (which I had not referred to as such until reading this book)! I need to get Dave’s phone number (page 31) as I could also use a bit of help with my iTunes/Ipod Smart List. Examples of micro businesses a teen can pursue were very helpful. I appreciated [...], [...], [...] and so many more.

The Business Plan charts presented a treasure chest of guidance for a person of any age to utilize when planning to start a business. So many businesses fail for lack of planning. This non-intimidating resource was so helpful in considering the foundation for a business of any size. Thedown to earth format allowed me to realize planning a micro business for a teen may be easier than anticipated.

I appreciated Scripture verses along with secular sayings. The subtle backdrop was the Bible and also the author repeatedly reminded the teen to speak with his/her parents about what they learned from reading the book. Ms. Topp’s offer of accounting advice if the reader did not yet have an accountant made me smile. She came alongside her reader throughout the book with encouragement and promoted a “can do” mantra.

Finally a book available for teens somewhere in between a lemonade stand and a storefront. No doubt the entire series will be a welcome resource if it also teaches, exhorts and encourages youth as did Starting a Micro Business. Every teen parent would benefit from reading Starting a Micro Business. I enjoyed it immensely and hope to read more of the Micro Business for Teens book series soon.

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kathy Carlton Willis Communications as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

From a reviewer on Amazon.com

Economic “Self Reliance” for Your Teenager, April 12, 2011

“The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.” ~ Anonymous

I didn’t have a lot of disposable cash as a teenager growing up simply because my parents both had lower middle class jobs and five kids to support. To further confound the problem, my parents forbid me from having a paper route because they didn’t want to end up having to deliver the papers themselves which is understandable.

So I was generally unemployed until I was 16 and had my driving permit. The ability to drive enabled me to work three evenings a week at a restaurant 15 miles from my home. After that, I’ve had a job ever since.

Back then, I would have welcomed Carol Topp’s book Starting a Micro Business. Topp takes the time to explain the micro-business concept – basically a no-cost, one-person operation using the owner’s knowledge and “sweat equity” – and she applies that concept to a teenager. She provides a great deal of insight, tactics and planning tools to ensure the maximum chance of success for the student entrepreneur.

This book personally resonated with me because it also speaks to a higher aspirational goal of a partnership between parents and their kids. The parents allow the kids to “try” while the teens are inspired to add the “umph” – referencing the quote at the top of this post. The fact that this type of partnership was lacking in my own life is one of the reasons why I can relate to the need for this book.

Because that type of collaborative approach is an invaluable lesson to teach any teenager since they’re going to apply it in virtually any profession or project they pursue in life. Topp’s book is tops in that regard!

From a reviewer on Amazon.com

Great Business Guide for Teens

I LOVE the book and highly recommend it in preparing young people to earn money in so many ways that produces good work ethics. Carol encourages teens to work hard and how to go about having good business skills. We live in the country and I have had the privilege of teaching young people how to play the piano. Two of my former students now drive to homes and provide music lessons to earn extra spending money. Carol touches upon this idea and much more.

Oh my, how I wish this book was available to me way back then. As a grandmother of 4, I will personally be sharing this 5* book with them at a later date.

Starting a micro business is empowering and rewarding. Carol’s professionalism and warm approach to helping people is quite evident with her many books about business blueprints, tax info and business low risks on this subject.

In this particular book she breaks down the nuts and bolts of starting your own business in 7 chapters with easy to understand advice.

What is most impressive is Carol’s approach to internet marketing savvy and her passion with dedication in helping teens succeed. Best wishes and much continued success to Carol Topp. I enjoyed reading your book.

If you’re looking for a realistic, practical guide that is helpful for teens starting a micro business and becoming successful through the process, then purchase the book and spread the word.

From a reviewer on Amazon:

Do you want to earn some money and learn a lot?

STARTING A MICRO BUSINESS is the book for you. It will give you practical advice in what kind of business you can realistically expect to start (no teenage restaurant owners here) and includes all the steps from starting the business to writing a business plan all the way to running the business successfully (with everything between included.)

If your teenager wants to earn money and is too young to work at McDonalds, then this is the book to consider for him/her. It will help them with everything, including the all important keeping track of what you earn and reporting it as income tax (if applicable). It will teach teenagers (and adults) all the business aspects for the ins and outs of running a successful business from home.

With plenty of true life stories and spaces to write out your information, this book will be invaluable for your teen–and you.