© by bochalla

For then 11-year-old Ian Hill, from New Hampshire, the dream started after his parents returned from a convention raving about the popularity of a mini-donut machine. Ian liked the idea of mini-donuts, and when a similar machine was found on eBay for a low price, his family decided to purchase one. After experimenting and taste-testing, Ian sold his first batch of donuts, starting him a micro business called Ian’s Wicked Good Donuts. It wasn’t long before the tasty donuts were sold in two local restaurants! After a year of increasing revenue, Ian purchased a brand new machine, which exponentially increased the amount of donuts he could produce. This led to his purchase of a mobile donut truck, and the addition of several local businesses and schools that use his donuts for promotions and fundraisers. What started for now 16-year-old Ian as a way to make a little extra money over the summer has become a micro business that is helping him save for college!

Looking to make some money, without working at a fast food restaurant or at the mall? Why not try your hand at a micro business! See my book, Starting a Micro Business, for easy tips to get going.

Courtesy of Human Events

Carol Topp, CPA

© by tsmall

Sometimes a micro business idea comes out of nowhere. That’s exactly what happened for 16-year-old Ashton Canada. After his video game console malfunctioned, Ashton decided to take apart the device and research how to fix it himself. While the machine was deconstructed, he realized how easy it would be to customize. Ashton experimented by adding glass, lights, and eventually a custom paint job to his game console. Soon, friends started to notice his unique console and controllers. At first, Ashton modified a handful of controllers for friends. It wasn’t long before he needed to create a website for his micro business, UniqueModz! Business has steadily increased ever since. Even though Ashton doesn’t play many video games anymore, he traded that time for something much more profitable!

Courtesy of NaplesNews

Good with gadgets, like Ashton? Start your own tech business with the help of my book, Starting a Micro Business.

Carol Topp, CPA

© by garethr

For 13-year-old Taylor Burghard, one person’s trash is her profitable micro business! Taylor saw the potential for recycled jewelry after using the keys from an old Mac computer keyboard to make a pair of earrings. As friends admired her work, Taylor decided to create her own micro business selling the fashionable jewelry! Her company, TekChick Designs, fashions earrings and necklaces from recycled computer parts, featuring standard and custom designs. Taylor’s idea isn’t slowing down. She is featuring her product at a number of expos this year, and selling online and at certain retailers.

Want to join Taylor in building a profitable micro business? Take a look at my book, Starting a Micro Business, as a how-to!

Courtesy of The Mac Observer

Carol Topp, CPA

© by Sean MacEntee

Alex Mangini always had a love for web design. At the young age of 14, he designed and published his first website, and has been creating ever since. After taking a few design classes but mostly teaching himself, Alex recently sold one of his websites for $20,000! He soon established a new website, kolakube.com, a micro business where he features and sells his website designs. Alex plans to expand his business, attend conferences, and continually learn about design.

Love computers? Have an eye for design? Start your own micro business in web design with the help of my book, Starting a Micro Business today!

Courtesy of phillyBurbs.com

Carol Topp, CPA

© by Sewing Daisies

Ashley Malinowski was just 7 when she attended a summer camp through a local sewing center and learned how to sew pillows, bags and clothes. Ever since, Ashley has been hooked on sewing! After entering several of her handmade quilts in various competitions, she knew that a lucrative micro business could come out of her hobby. At age 17, Ashley began Midnight Quilter, a quilting business. She creates and sews complex quilts for customers, running anywhere from $40 to $500. Today, Ashley has invested in a Pro-Stitcher computerized quilting machine and plans to keep quilting throughout college.

Have a passion for sewing like Ashley? Check out my book, Starting a Micro Business, where your idea can be just as successful as hers!

Courtesy of Middletown Transcript

Carol Topp, CPA

snare drum © by Vladimir Morozov

After looking for work for months and coming up dry, 18-year-old Eric Cieslewicz realized he already had the potential to work, using his passion for percussion. Eric decided to create his own micro business by offering his skills as a drummer for hire to young, aspiring drummers. He designed his own website, printed business cards, and began to talk about his services. After a short time, Eric now has 8 regular students and earns more than $400 a month from drumming lessons alone. Coupled with performing, Eric earns a tidy profit from his micro business. Eric took something he loves and used that to create a business.

Play an instrument? Turn that talent into a successful micro business! See my book, Starting a Micro Business, for easy steps to get started.

Courtesty of USA Today

Carol Topp, CPA

Cable Confusion © by e-magic

Do you have an idea for a business, but not sure how to get started? 18-year-old David Newick of West Sussex, England, faced the same problem. Growing up, David loved to tinker with gadgets and computers. As a teen, he found a job at a local electronics store. From this, David dreamed up the idea for a tech support business. To make his dream a reality, David entered the Young Start Up talent competition, a local entrepreneurial competition in which finalists win prizes of products and money to help start a business. The competition motivated David to start his own micro business, Connect-A-Gadget. His business operates strictly online and provides home entertainment, IT, and tech support solutions. David plans to expand his micro business to reach even more customers. His advice? “I would encourage anyone to enter the Young Start Up talent competition.” Who knows? It just might be the inspiration to begin your own micro business!

Ready to go? Check out my book, Starting a Micro Business. 

Courtesy of West Sussex County Times

Carol Topp, CPA

© by Dominic

Could your online business land you a great job as Vice President of a national marketing company? It did for Alex Houg! The then-15-year-old Plymouth teen began his own online micro business which sold gaming accessories as a way to use his technological skills. To grow his business, Alex began to study marketing strategies and within months became a successful online businessman. Soon after, he started to offer marketing advice to local businesses. This service caught the eye of Blacksmith Marketing, a company specializing in online business advice, 3 years later. 18-year-old Alex was offered a full-time job as Vice President. His small beginnings running a micro business opened the door for a full-time position that Alex plans to keep for the rest of his life!

Inspired by Alex’s story? You can do it too! Learn how in my book, Starting a Micro Business. 

Courtesy of Plymouth Patch

Carol Topp, CPA

clothes © by Thing Three

Not too many 14-year-old teens have their own clothing line. California teen Jaela Evangelista does! Inspired by her graphic design father, Jaela drafted a few graphics that she thought would look great on T-shirts. After designing a variety of garments, like sweatshirts and bracelets, Jaela created her line, jsmirk. Now, she has customers across the nation and even as far as the Philippines. To keep up with demand, Jaela hired her younger siblings to be assistants and models for her clothing line. Jaela plans to eventually pursue a degree in entrepreneurship. But for now, the sophomore continues to add new products to her micro business.

Like this idea? Make it come to life with the help of my book, Starting a Micro Business!

Courtesy of Times Herald

Carol Topp, CPA

© by RambergMediaImages

The greatest entrepreneurs see a need and fill a need. This is just what then 17-year-old Marshall Haas did! Fascinated by architectural design, Marshall was hired part-time to work for an architect. While working, he noticed that many architectural firms didn’t offer images or renderings to their clients. Gathering a team of designers, Marshall launched his own company, AllRendered LLC, to design architectural images, like floor plans or buildings. Right off the bat, he had eight clients a month! Now, at age 20, he continues to run his business, while taking design classes at a local college. By providing a rare service, Marshall took a hobby and created a micro business!

Courtesy of 50 Interviews: Young Entrepreneurs by Nick Tart

My book, Starting a Micro Business, will give you everything you need to run a business just like Marshall!

Carol Topp, CPA