70 parents and their teens (or pre-teens) gave the Micro Business for Teens books a 6 week test. Here’s what some of them said.
Family Faith and Fridays blog says, “Carol’s books gave him the motivation and confidence to get started and with a little training from his father is ready to go out and conquer the grass. Especially for those that are visual or auditory learners, (the Micro Business for Teens website) is a gem of a resource.”
Stair Steps Homeschool Academy wrote, “Even after having my own business for 10 years now I still do not claim to know it all. In fact, after reading Carol’s books I really wished I’d had this course for myself before I got started! I read both of the books in two days before giving them over to my boys to read. We have all learned a lot!
“He is glad to know how to keep better records this year, and he can now see that some of the ideas he had tried in the past didn’t make him much money. He said he feels like he can make better choices now, and he is brainstorming a couple of new ideas.
The McClanahan7 discovered, “After working through Micro Business for Teens she has realized that she can be making more at home with her micro business than she would be able to make working for minimum wage downtown when she turns 16.
“Even if your teen isn’t seriously thinking about starting a micro business this course would still be good for them to complete. It can help them to realize the talents they have and what their potential with those are. Carol teaches young people things that can even carry over into any work place regardless of the teen’s position. The success stories she shares are also very encouraging. She gives us examples of teens who have taken their business far beyond anything I could have imagined.”
Mother and son both start micro businesses in the Indoor Garden Musings blog. “I have looked at a variety of business books in the past, but none of them are as good as these. I think they would work well for adults as well as teens. Everyone needs to have good business books and a plan that will help them become successful. He decided what he would like to do for his micro business, an author. He is working hard to put all of his business plans into action. I have decided upon a business as well. I really like the idea of no start-up costs, so I am going to work on selling e-books. I have lots of ideas coming to my mind.
From Dad: “Gone are the days of someone entering the workforce and remaining with that one employer for 40 or 50 years. Having to work for a year to get 5 days of paid vacation, watching health care costs soar while wages remain stagnant, (etc…) are all things that can be solved by starting and running a micro business. Kudos to Carol for taking the time to create a business learning program for kids!”
Home-sweet-life blog, made me smile when she wrote, “Think of each book as the cheapest way to hire a Certified Public Accountant to help you start your business. I know a handful of CPA’s, and none of them will give you all this information for only $10, try more like $300-$500.
“These books keep your teen simply focused, and teach them how to step-by-step move their business forward. I appreciate that the books recommend keeping all micro musinesses as sole proprietorships. I have seen adults struggle with the demands of having a partnership in business, and that is NOT something you want your teen to have to deal with.”
Through the Calm and Through the Storm wrote, “When I read through the Micro Business for Teens materials, I realized that many micro businesses can be perfectly tailored to fit a busy lifestyle. In fact, starting and running a micro business is a great way for teens to earn some extra money while still juggling schoolwork and extra curricular activities.
“Addison found all of these materials to be easy-to-read, but not condescending. One of her biggest pet peeves about books written for a teenage audience is the way that the authors tend to talk down to teens. She felt that the information from Micro Business for Teens was presented in a way that made her feel like an equal, not like a teen without any common sense. The authors believe in teens and believe that they can be successful in starting a micro businesses of their own.”
Lighthouse Classical Academy had this to say, “It provides practical and relevant advice without dumbing down the information. Throughout the book many business ideas real teens have implemented as micro business owners are highlighted. Easy to read and understand, Starting a Micro Business uses plain language that leaves the reader understanding business terminology without being dry or overly technical.
I have seen many entrepreneurial products on the market geared towards children and teens. I think and this one is not only excellent, but also well priced.
Renita at Krazy Kuehner Days blog has a 13 year old son with special needs. She writes, “The lessons were short, yet they really cause children to think and look at what they want to do. I really think that these books have helped my special needs son to really look at all the steps in running his own business. He can refer back to the sections that he needs to, anytime he has questions. It drew attention to ideas to help him earn extra money.
“You might think to only buy the book, Starting a Micro Business, but I do highly recommend purchasing the Micro Business for Teens Workbook to go along with it. I do think that this workbook will only increase a teenagers success when used together.
Mom of Many Bentzs blog, said, “I feel like this would be an excellent study course for teens, and anyone wanting to start their own business. It’s practical, and very affordable. I highly recommend it!”
Kingdom Academy Homeschool chimed in with, “The best thing about these products is their low cost. The Starting a Micro Business and Running a Micro Business eBook costs $4.95 while the paperback is only $9.95. The Micro Business for Teens Workbook eBook costs $9.95 while the paperback version is $14.95. If you have teens or preteens who want to get started in their own business, or children who have already started a business and just need some direction to keep it going, I think these are definitely worth it!
Little Homeschool Blessings (the parent) was inspired to start her own micro business, “I wouldn’t think of limiting it to teens. Adults that are looking to supplement their family’s income by working just a few hours might find this to be exactly what they need. If you are looking for a balanced alternative to fast food and retail jobs, a Micro Business would be just what you are looking for and this series provides the information you need “in an intelligent and helpful way.”
“After reading these, I feel like starting a Micro Business could be something that I would be able to do and really should be doing.
“In fact, I’ve considered making and selling vintage science kits for kids. I made some for Easter presents for the kids and they absolutely love them! I even had a blogging friend ask about selling them. I’ve thought about self-publishing books, too. The possibilities are really endless.”
Tillie at Little Connections Add Up to a Lotta Life wrote, “(Other business) classes confused things when the boys tried to make business plans together. They made things far more complicated than necessary, and ultimately their business ideas, though clever at the outset, failed. Mostly because of age, I suppose, but also because they just were not prepared to do all of the work involved that a major corporation might get into. And, like Ms. Topp, I found that books written for children were not quite enough. So how did things work out with Micro Business for Teens? Much better than ever before!”
Lisa, at A Rup Life said, “He (her 13 yo son) flew through the material, devouring it. He has always been business minded and I knew this would be a hit with him. This course came at a perfect time for him. At 13 he has been searching for ways he could earn extra money. He found several ideas in the book.
“One of the things that he was supposed to do with the course was to give a little pitch about his business and see what people’s reactions/advice would be. Now my 13 year old is not super comfortable with doing this kind of thing but he BLOSSOMED!! To see my kid grow and be working on a project to achieve his personal goals was pretty awesome. This course might have been short but it left a big impact on my teen. I have a strong feeling we will be in business mode for years to come just from this one course!”
AdenaF writes, ” Starting a Micro Business is a small book. It only has seven chapters. But don’t let that fool you. It starts off explaining exactly what a micro business is. Then she gives you ideas. Forty-two of them. And these aren’t just a shot in the dark. They are great ideas.
Acorn Hill Academy got it right when she learned, “I was delighted to learn that it is NOT an entrepreneurship – no one has to come up with a brand new idea. You work with what you already know how to do.”
Christine at Our Homeschool Reviews, shared this from her 11 year old: “Micro Business for Teens is a great step-by-step guide for teens and tweens to learn how to easily start up a micro business. These books really help you start a micro business, keep it going, advertise it, and avoid financial problems, as well as giving examples of other teens’ businesses. I think more teens and tweens will be able to start a micro business after reading Micro Business for Teens!”
Interested in your own copy of the Micro Business for Teens books? Purchase them here or at these online retailers.
The reviewers read three books: Starting a Micro Business, Running a Micro Business and the Micro Business for Teens Workbook.
