Business at 19. President at 56!

February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

            Harding, Age 17

Many of our Presidents have made their millions owning their own business, but none so inspiring as

                                               President Warren G. Harding.

He learned the basics of the newspaper business by age 10 at The Argus, his father’s newspaper business.

                                                               By age 17, he was a college graduate.

At age 19,  he pooled his money together with others to purchase The Marion Daily Star (Marion, Ohio)  newspaper

–a fledgling & struggling newspaper for $300.

newspaper

By the age of 21, he was the sole owner — working hard to make it successful & the city’s primary paper.

At the end of his presidency, knowing his journalism career would not be revived, he sold the business for $550,000.  

His newspaper was a powerful platform for him to become President at age 56.

Moreover, it taught him hard work, determination and perseverance through trial.  

                                                            We make heroes of our Presidents.

Today, you can become a teenage micro business owner and some day, it might lead to bigger things!

Filed Under: Blog, Running a Micro, Starting a Micro, You Can Do This Tagged With: , , , ,

Micro Business Ideas: Back to the Basics

February 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment

It is February.  Likely, you have either gotten a jump-start on your New Year’s resolutions or your goals  have fallen off.

It doesn’t have to be hard, complex or labor-intensive  to start and run a micro business.

A teenager can do more than a lemonade stand and they can do it on their own.  The Micro Business for Teens books are written with that in mind–simple, effective & easy-to-read.

Your micro business doesn’t have to be the next Apple or Microsoft.

 Try going back to the basics.

Babysitting, lawn care (or snow shoveling) are GREAT first micro businesses for teens.

156536_402128483164909_137936348_n482110_424415650936192_1197657297_ngrasscutting.teenmowing.Snow-shoveling

They never run out of style as long as there are parents who want a night out and as long as grass grows.

New ideas are great, but the tried-and-true ideas can you give you a first-start to making an income and practicing business skills.

February can seem cold and lifeless but getting back to the basics will put life into your business goals.

Filed Under: Blog, Ideas, Running a Micro, Starting a Micro, You Can Do This Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Micro Business Idea: Eggs!

January 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment

17-year-old Daniel Lloyd runs his business selling eggs from his grandparents’ house in Kempsey. Picture by John Anyon.

This teenager runs a micro business selling eggs.
Daniel Lloyd, aged 17, of Warndon Villages, began selling the eggs that he gathers from his own hen house that he keeps at his grandparents’ home. His greatest market is actually his school, where he sells his product to teachers and fellow students.

Daniel has won the  Tryangle Award, which rewards budding teen entrepreneurs in their efforts.

A council spokesman said: “He has been recognized for taking the initiative to start this business, from keeping the chickens and making contacts with people to make the business successful.”

His mum Kate said: “He was so chuffed when he got the certificate. He’s got it all sussed out, it’s his own little enterprise.”
Read more here

We like to call them “micro businesses” not “little enterprises,” but we know you’re proud of your son.

This is a fantastic micro business idea!

Teens, you can have your own business, just like Daniel! Do you have a hobby or passion? It could be anything from music to raising chickens. There is a micro business there! See my blog for ideas, or pick up a copy of my book, Starting a Micro Business, to get yours going!

Carol Topp, CPA

Filed Under: Blog, Ideas, Starting a Micro Tagged With: , , ,

Premiere: Starting a Micro Business on PBS

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In celebration of National Entrepreneurship Week, Feb. 18-25

Western Reserve PBS

will be broadcasting

Premieres Thursday, Feb. 23 @ 8 p.m.

Repeats Feb. 23 @ 10 p.m. & Sunday, Feb. 26 @ 7 p.m.
Also airs Saturday, March 24 @ 9 a.m.

Discover creative alternatives to earning money in the highly competitive job market — by becoming your own boss!

Discover how to launch your own successful micro business in this new Western Reserve Public Media production!

Carol Topp, a certified public accountant and mentor to many successful teen entrepreneurs, hosts this 90-minute program based on her Micro Business for Teens book series.

Micro Business for Teens: Starting a Micro Business explains what a micro business is, gives examples of businesses suitable for teenagers, offers instruction on writing a business plan and financing the business and more. You’ll meet six teens who are already operating profitable micro businesses by following the guidance of Carol Topp.

This program makes the very notion of creating a micro business an achievable goal if you have a good idea and the enthusiasm to design and implement a plan of action. While the program is targeted to a teen audience, its content will be helpful to any adult interested in starting his or her own micro business.

Look for Micro Business for Teens: Starting a Micro Business to be broadcast on your local PBS station later in 2012.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Starting a Micro Tagged With: , , , ,

If you make money at writing

June 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I’m doing a workshop for my local writers group titled

The Business of Writing: What to Do if You Ever Make Money with Your Writing.

I’ll be discussing the difference between writing as a hobby, as a ministry to help others or as a business. I’ll also talk about taxes, special deductions for authors and what business structure a writer should have for  a writing business.

Here’s a handout that I prepared for the workshop.

The Business Of Writing

If you live in the Cincinnati area, come attend the workshop live!

Wednesday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Faith Church in Milford

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PBS wants your story!

February 3, 2010 By 1 Comment

I was contacted by a TV producer from PBS’s Biz Kid$.  She is looking for teenage entrepreneurs to showcase on the show. If you are reading this blog, she wants your story!

Here’s what she wrote:

Hi Carol,

I came across your website while researching stories about young entrepreneurs. I am a TV producer currently producing Biz Kid$ – an award-winning PBS series where kids teach kids about money and business. The series helps young people understand the basics of making and managing money, and how to start their own business.

Biz Kid$ is produced by the creators of Bill Nye the Science Guy and has aired on over 90% of PBS stations, reaching over 115 million US households.

Biz Kid$ includes short profiles of young entrepreneurs from across the country. We are always looking for interesting business stories about young business owners. I would love to enlist your help in reaching out to teen entrepreneurs, and possibly showcase their business stories on Biz Kid$.

Please visit our website for more information: www.bizkids.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards
–
Shilpa Singru
Associate Producer
Biz Kid$, Seattle, WA
www.bizkids.com
425-286-3567

So can you help Ms. Singru?  Are you a teenager with a business?  PBS might put you on their show.

Contact her directly or email me and I’ll forward your story to her. Be sure to tell me if you get picked for the show!

Go check out an episode (or several) now.  You’ll learn a lot and maybe get encouraged by what other teenagers have done.

Biz Kid$ shows

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10 Reasons to Start a Business (While You’re Still a Teenager)

January 2, 2010 By 1 Comment

On the Road to $1 mil blog has a post on 10 reasons to Start a Business While You’re Still a Teenager

ArtFavor_Stack_of_bills_(money)

While there are good reasons to start a business at any point in life (no age is too young, none is too old), these are the main ones why it pays to start a business while you’re a teenager:

  1. You can afford to take more risks. You don’t have to worry about whether investing in the business puts your children’s financial wellbeing at risk. Plus, in the face of any setback, you’ve got many years in front of you to recover -or try again.
  2. You have drive. You’re in the age of thinking big. Your dreams have no ceiling and you’re passionate beyond reason. Tap into that energy -and apply it to an idea you believe in.
  3. You have energy -certainly more than most people 20 years older than you.
  4. You want to annoy your parents. Don’t they give you a hard time with their never-ending speeches about becoming a lawyer? Show them there’s more to life than Law School!
  5. You want to make your parents proud, too. They’ve told you a hundred times you should grow up. What a better way to show you’re able to take responsibility for your own life?
  6. The experience will serve you later in life, whether you continue with the business, start another one, go to college, or get a job.
  7. You hate feeling bored. Once you start working on your idea, you won’t have time for boredom. Actually, you won’t have much free time at all. But as long as you’re working in your passion, you won’t miss it, either.
  8. You have plenty of friends. I bet that many of them are also looking for something to do. They can become a source of cheap labor to tap into, they can help you brainstorm ideas, or even become your business partners.
  9. You want to be popular. How many people your age own their own company? Your friends will admire this, and you may even inspire some of them to start a businesses of their own -and they’ll queue to get your expert opinion.
  10. You want to find your purpose. A business will expose you to activities you’ve never performed before. Do you hate keeping business books? Do you enjoy developing ideas to help others? Do you love the contact with other people? Everything you discover about your likes and dislikes will help you find a direction for your adult life.

So if you’re young and have a passion, give a thought to the possibility of turning it into a business. Don’t let the hurdles -lack of money the most obvious one- deter you from trying: be creative and you’ll come up with ways around them.

Filed Under: Starting a Micro, You Can Do This Tagged With: , ,

How to Make Money on Craigslist

December 10, 2009 By 1 Comment

Here is a  great site to help teenagers use Craigslist to start a micro business.

How teens can make money on Craig’s List

Find “Services” and put an add under “Small Biz” or “Household services” and you can soon be another teen making money thanks to Craig at Craigslist.

For example…You could put an ad for “carpet cleaning” on Craigslist, get people emailing or calling you about carpet cleaning, go to the “rental center” nearest you and rent a carpet cleaning machine, do the job and get paid right away. (Be sure to know what the rental and supplies costs before you place the ad so you cover your expenses!)

You can also check the section on “Gigs” for fast jobs.

But please beware not to give out personal information online.

Young women especially need to be cautious in answering ads for potential marketing and promotion ads seeking attractive girls.

Respond with a friend and cell phone. Let your parents know exactly where you’re going. Drive by where you’re supposed to meet your “employers” and if the least suspicious, drive off! Better safe than sorry!

I logged onto Craigslist for my local city and discovered that my local public school needs tutors to work with students for 2-9 hours a week.  The ad says “great pay and flexible schedule.”  They want a resume and a background check.

Try Craigslist for your city, but be sure to follow the guidelines above and on Craigslist to avoid scammers.  Keep your parents informed about what you are doing. They can see suspicious activity that you may not see. Let them help you!

Filed Under: Blog, Ideas, Starting a Micro, You Can Do This Tagged With: , , ,

Vital Customer Service Tips

December 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Customer service is vital to your micro business success.  Here are some tips to better serve your customers.

  • Apologize when something goes wrong even if it is not your fault. Apologize that you couldn’t cut the grass on Tuesday because it snowed 4 inches!  The customer will appreciate your concern and maturity. Never make excuses. No one wants to hear you blame someone else. Just apologize.

  • Answer calls or e-mails within less than 12 hours. Sometimes your competitor will get a job because they called back first.

  • Fill orders quickly. No one likes to wait so don’t let orders sit for more than 24 hours.

  • Show appreciation through cards, saying thank you and remembering special events like birthdays.

  • Stay in touch: Consider a newsletter or an e-mail note to your customers. Tell them about new services or offer a coupon.

Filed Under: Blog, Running a Micro Tagged With: , , ,