| Micro businesses are simple businesses that can be | | | | re-asked my question, "How many of you have a |
| started very quickly. They are perfect for a teenager | | | | micro business?" Half the room raised their hands-just |
| for several reasons. This article discusses one reason: | | | | about every teenager in the room. |
| a micro business is easy to start. What do you need | | | | How about you-have you ever run a micro |
| to start a micro business? Your need only two things: | | | | businesses? |
| - A product or service that meets a need | | | | - What services or product did you supply? |
| - Someone to buy it That is it. Two things: see a need | | | | - Who bought it? To start a new micro business, think |
| you can meet and find someone to pay you for your | | | | a a need and who will buy it. For example, Sarah, age |
| help. Does that sound too good to be true? Maybe | | | | 15, volunteered for a great nonprofit organization by |
| you are making starting a business harder than it | | | | giving swimming lessons to children in the summer. The |
| seems. | | | | adults running the swimming lessons were wonderful |
| I spoke to a roomful of teenagers and their parents | | | | and really knew how to teach swimming, but they did |
| about starting a micro business. When I asked if | | | | not know how to set up a blog or a website. Sarah |
| anyone currently had a business, only two hands out | | | | knew she could help in this area. |
| of 100 went up. | | | | She saw a need, talked to the nonprofit leader and |
| "Have any of you ever babysat?" I asked and about | | | | found herself in business! It can be that easy to start! |
| twenty hands, mostly girls went up. | | | | Seeing a need and meeting it is not all you will need to |
| Then I asked, "Have any of you mowed grass for | | | | run a micro business. You will to learn about a lot of |
| pay?" | | | | other things including customer service, marketing, |
| Another twenty hands, mostly guys this time, went up. | | | | record keeping and taxes. You can learn these things |
| After I explained that these were micro | | | | as you go along. |
| businesses-providing a needed service for pay-I | | | | |