How to Start a Cute Kids Business

Is your child a natural business person?

Children who are interested in business don't have to wait until they are adults to get started. Whether a child wants a creative outlet or a way to make money, starting a kid business can be a way to nurture self-esteem and learn valuable life skills. Starting a cute kid business can be as simple as following a few steps to ensure the process goes smoothly and incorporates plenty of fun.

Instructions

1. 

   Discovering what your child's interests are will help you in determining what business ideas might work.

   Sit down with your child and write down his interests. He may have an invention or ideas to share with other kids or the world. Talk about practical ways to bring these ideas to fruition for an actual business. If your child likes to write, then he may be interested in writing books or articles for a kid publication. If your child likes to be active, then she may be interested in starting an activity class for kids or delivering groceries to people in need. A child who likes the outdoors may want to mow grass, help in the garden, or deliver newspapers. A love of animals or children can turn into a job helping care for the neighbors' pets or young children. The sky really is the limit, and a kid's interests are the first consideration in starting a business. Finding out what your child enjoys will help him make the connection between business and fun so work is never a grind.

2. 

   Job shadowing can help your child learn the business before starting.

   Help your child to prepare for starting a business through gaining experience in his areas of interest. If he is interested in delivering newspapers, talk to him about job shadowing a current delivery person. This allows your child to find out if he will really enjoy a business enough to devote the necessary time to it.

3. Discuss what help your child may want from you or someone else. Is she running this business alone, or does she want your input? If he is delivering groceries by bicycle and it's raining, will you drive him? How will budget or other details be handled? If help is needed outside the family, will it be paid or volunteer? Talking about what may come up as the business grows can help your child plan and think of options to pursue.

4. Research skills and laws that apply to starting a kid business through publications, the Internet and discussions with current business owners. Most businesses require at least baic math skills for budgeting and determining profit and loss. Communication skills help with marketing and keeping customers. If you are unsure of your child's strengths in these areas, role playing can be a fun way to learn the skills that will apply to the kid business and other areas of life. Also be aware that state and local laws may regulate the amount of time a child spends on a business or what business ideas she can pursue at certain ages.

5. 

   Creating a business plan doesn't have to be boring.

   Create a business plan with goals. Encourage a balance of reachable goals and dreams. Your child can start with lofty or small goals for his kid business. Maybe he wants to be able to buy a dream house when he's 30, or he might want to purchase a bike next spring. Possibly his goals are oriented to learning and growth of the business. Starting with a few goals allows him to see where he is going as he proceeds in his own business.

6. If money is needed to start a business, help your child research ways to raise funds. Maybe family or friends will invest, or possibly she will need to talk with larger companies who can donate. If a small amount of money is needed, maybe she can do work around the house to earn the funds to start the business.

7. Check with the local small business administration or small business start up to find out if your child needs any paperwork completed to start the business. If your child is self-employed and earns under a certain income there may be little paperwork. If your child maintains a business with taxable income, there will be official documents that need to be filed.

8. Start the business with learning and fun at the forefront. We all learn from our experiences, and starting a kid business is no exception. Make room for errors, and use what you and your child learn to grow.

References

• Teaching Kids Business: How to Start Your Own Business
• Money Instructor: Kids Starting a Business

Resources

• Kid Business: How to Start a Business for a Kid