Top 33 Business Ideas for 12-Year Olds [Updated for 2024]
Are you feeling inspired to start your own business? You're not alone! Many 12-year-olds are looking for ways to become their own boss and start their own business.
There are a lot of great business ideas out there, and we've gathered some of the best ones for you. So read on and see if any of these ideas catch your eye!
1. Start a party entertainer business ($12.7K/month)
Do you want to start a business within the entertainment sector? Becoming a party entertainer can be a great opportunity for you.
Party entertainers thrive mostly at night and on weekends. You can work as an agency and represent entertainers for parties, or if you have the skills, you can become the entertainer.
Party entertainers can work at wedding and bridal parties, birthday parties, children’s parties, corporate parties, or even home-based parties.
How much you can make: $996 — $25,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $75 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
2. Start a custom illustrating business
Many businesses use stock illustrations or images in their commercials. While stock illustrations provide a cheaper option, the visuals aren’t part of the product, so the brand message is diluted.
In a business world where more than 70% of social media and B2B marketers use visuals in their promotions, creating custom illustrations is highly on demand.
Ideally, custom illustration is an essential visual strategy helping businesses use clever, compelling visual content to effectively communicate with the target audience.
With major social media platforms dependent on visuals to create impressions, starting a custom illustrating business can be an opportunity to build a profitable business. Custom illustrations are a visual representation of any text and are considered art for beautifying elements.
To kickstart your custom illustration business, pursue a fine arts certification, where you will learn computer graphics, drawing, and painting skills. Then, identify your style, create a portfolio, then focus on building a client base.
How much you can make: $4,700/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
3. Start a soap making business ($10.6K/month)
Are you looking for an easy business you can start from home? Soap making is a relatively easy cottage business you can start today.
Soap is one of the products you will find in every household. Therefore, soap is a product that will remain in demand, making soap making business a lucrative idea.
To start a soap-making business from home, research the competition and choose the niche your business will focus on. You can make scented soaps mixed with essential oils or non-scented soaps for washing utensils.
Choose a business name and create a business plan indicating your entity type, mission statement, and soap marketing strategy.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $20,000/month
How long does it take to build: 747 days (?)
4. Start an artistry business
Crafting beauty with your hands and sharing it with the world is a unique and fulfilling business journey. An artistry business revolves around creating and selling your own art, whether it's paintings, sculptures, digital designs, or custom crafts. This venture entails not only the creative process but also the operational aspects of marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
Imagine turning your passion for art into a sustainable income source. It’s not just about creating beautiful pieces; it’s about knowing your market, setting up an online presence, and continuously interacting with buyers. Platforms like Etsy or local galleries can serve as excellent starting points for showcasing your work.
Running an artistry business requires dedication and a balance between artistic creativity and business acumen. If you have a unique aesthetic and the drive to share it, this could be your calling. The effort invested can yield both financial stability and personal fulfillment.
5. Start a gift wrapping service
Gift wrappers use wrapping papers and other supplies to box up and decorate presents on behalf of their customers. Starting a gift-wrapping business does not involve considerable capital and is easy to manage. You can market your business online for free and request current customers to give recommendations.
6. Start a Greeting Cards Business ($26.2K/month)
People use greeting cards to mark births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, and other parties or events.
If you love helping people celebrate special occasions, starting a greeting card business can be a great business opportunity.
When starting a greeting card business, choose a potential niche and write a business plan.
Then, find an ideal spot to sell the greeting cards.
For instance, you can offer greeting card design and posting services, so customers can choose the best designs and post greeting cards online.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 77 days (?)
7. Start a pet sitting business
A pet sitter is a professional who provides daily care for pets while the pet owners are at work or on vacation. The pet sitter's duties include:
- Cooking special meals for pets as instructed by pet owners.
- Reporting any behavioral issues to pet owners.
- Playing with the pets to encourage their mental and physical stimulation.
One of the advantages of working as a pet sitter is that it's not a stressful career. You also get to work with different animals while enjoying a work-life balance.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
8. Start a dog walking business ($34.5K/month)
Are you a dog lover? If so, you can turn your passion for animals into a profitable side hustle that allows you to earn extra income for your mortgage, a vacation, or paying off student loans.
As a dog walker, sitter, or boarder, you can earn an average annual income of between $10,000 and $30,000 by offering your services to dog owners in need of a caregiver for their furry friends.
To get started, register on a credible dog-walking app and create a compelling profile that showcases your experience, skills, and love for dogs.
With your dedication and expertise, you can help dog owners ensure their pets receive the care and attention they need while building a thriving business that fulfills your passion for animals.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $54,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
9. Start a leaf removal business
A leaf removal company provides lawn care to keep the yard clear of leaves through vacuuming, bagging, and removal of leaves. To start the leaves removal business, you need a high-quality leaf blower and leaf collection bags.
You can attract new customers by asking existing customers for referrals and ensuring positive reviews for your business. Hang flyers in coffee shops, and around estates, and ask friends for business referrals.
10. Start a candy making business
You will need a few essential ingredients and equipment to start a candy-making business. These include sugar, corn syrup, food coloring, flavoring extracts, and tools like a candy thermometer and a silicone candy mold. You will also need a kitchen or workspace to prepare and store candy.
To operate your candy-making business, you must develop various tasty candy recipes. The candy may require trial and error, as well as research on popular flavors and techniques. Once you have a solid selection of recipes, you can start taking orders from customers and creating candy to their specifications.
To market your candy-making business, you can set up an online store or sell your products at local markets and events. You can also consider partnering with local companies, such as coffee shops or gift stores, to sell your candy on their premises.
Starting a candy-making business requires creativity, dedication, and attention to detail. With suitable recipes and marketing strategies, you can turn your love of candy into a successful and sweet business!
How much you can make: $3,000/month
How long does it take to build: 450 days (?)
11. Start a home bakery
How much you can make: $2,500 — $30,000/month
12. Start a lawn care service ($193K/month)
Are you ready to begin your lawn care business and be your boss? A lawncare business offers lawn aeration, Seeding, fertilizing, soil acidity tests, and controlling weeds, among other services. If you love creating amazing landscapes, consider starting a lawn care company.
To start lawn care legally and run it profitably, you must register the business legally. You can get into a franchise or start a business from scratch. Decide what lawn care services you will offer and your target clients.
To offer effective service, purchase lawn care equipment, and hire skilled lawn care personnel.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $375,000/month
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
13. Become a lemonade seller
Demand for lemonade has increased as consumers’ knowledge of its health and nutritional benefits have grown. According to research, the lemonade market is growing at a CAGR of 5.7% and will surpass $2.651 million in the next few years.
If you are interested in starting a lemonade business, consider putting up a stand at a busy location.
A lemonade stand is a low-barrier-to-entry business you can start in a day and generate good profits. You can make lemonade from home and sell it to customers at a drive-through stand.
How much you can make: $6,000,000/month
14. Start a car washing and detailing business
The carwash business is already a multi-billion-dollar industry with room for growth.
With the number of vehicles per household increasing daily, starting a car wash and detailing business could be a profitable idea.
If you have a piece of vacant land in the right location, you can get into the carwash business. You can set up an in-bay automatic carwash, self-washing carwash, touch-free carwash, or a wide range of other options.
How much you can make: $5,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
15. Become a face painter
Popular at children's parties, weddings, and even some corporate events, face painting is a great creative activity that sparks joy among people of all ages.
If you love making people happy and helping them celebrate different events in life, consider starting a face-painting business.
If you are planning to start a face painting business on a professional basis, it would be wise to take an introductory training course to learn the basics of face painting and the safety and health precautions involved in the business.
How much you can make: $25,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
16. Become a dance choreographer
Dance choreographers create compositions and plans and arrange dance movements and patterns for dances, especially ballets. Choreographers also develop different interpretations of existing dances for an individual or group of dancers.
To become a dance choreographer, you will need to take training lessons. You may pursue a degree in musical theater and take relevant dance coursework. The training enables you to master different dance types and learn how to create dances.
17. Mobile pet grooming business
A mobile pet grooming business offers the convenience of professional grooming services right at the doorstep of pet owners.
With this service, your day-to-day activities involve traveling to clients' locations with a fully equipped mobile grooming van, providing personalized grooming services for their beloved pets.
How much you can make: $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
18. Become a cake decorator
Becoming a cake decorator can be an enjoyable and uncomplicated venture to embark on, particularly if you have a passion for baking and creativity. It enables you to explore the thriving bakery and wedding industries while showcasing your artistic abilities.
This business involves designing and hand-decorating specialty cakes for various events and occasions, using your artistic abilities to create beautiful, custom-edible works of art.
To start a successful cake decorating company, learn proper cake decorating techniques, purchase quality ingredients and equipment, build a portfolio to showcase your skills, and implement good marketing tactics to attract potential clients like wedding planners, event companies, bakeries, and direct consumers.
How much you can make: $4,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
19. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
For anyone looking to start a successful YouTube channel, there are plenty of YouTube channel success stories that can be used as inspiration and encouragement. In addition, YouTube has an established monetization system and boasts incredible popularity, making it a potential platform for revenue generation.
In this article, we'll look at different approaches you can use to help promote your channel and grow your viewers. While there's no quick and easy way to success, you can take these tips to build your own YouTube Channel Success story. If you love content creation, you can capitalize on YouTube's popularity to earn extra income.
If you want to join the Youtube partner program to monetize your channel, you will need to reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
20. Start a book seller ($120K/month)
Selling books is more than just opening a bookstore—it's about curating a literary journey for your customers. As a book seller, you'll source and sell books, catering to the diverse tastes of readers. From classic literature to the latest bestsellers, your role is to connect people with the stories that will inspire, educate, and entertain them.
Creating an inviting space, whether it’s a brick-and-mortar store or an online platform, is key. Your business will thrive on community engagement, book clubs, author events, and reading sessions. Managing inventory, partnering with distributors, and staying updated on literary trends are essential tasks.
If you love books and find joy in sharing that passion, this business offers a fulfilling experience. It requires dedication, organization, and a knack for marketing. But the payoff—building a vibrant community centered around the love of reading—is immensely rewarding.
How much you can make: $90,000 — $149,986/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 187 days (?)
21. Start a garage sale business
Got an eye for bargains and a knack for organizing? A garage sale business might be your calling. This business idea is centered on sourcing items you no longer need—or that you can buy at low prices—and selling them for a profit through organized garage sales. It’s a straightforward concept but requires some effort to execute effectively.
You'll need to scout for items that people are willing to buy, organize sales, and promote them to attract a crowd. Think of it as an ongoing treasure hunt that monetizes clutter. You can also offer your services to others, assisting them in organizing and running their own sales for a fee, expanding your reach.
Starting a garage sale business is not just about clearing out spaces; it’s about creating value from the overlooked and undervalued, giving you the opportunity to turn hidden gems into real earnings.
How much you can make: $7,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
22. Become a tee shirt designer
Have you always had a passion for fashion and creativity? Well, then the field of tee shirt design could be the perfect opportunity for you!
As a tee shirt designer, you would be responsible for fitting model garments, ensuring size uniformity, and using your design and aesthetic skills to create unique and eye-catching tee shirts that will captivate your customers’ attention.
With this exciting career, you’ll have the chance to let your creativity run wild and make a lasting impact on the fashion industry.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
23. Become a musician
A musician writes, records, performs, markets, and sells original songs, albums, and merchandise. As a musician, you can build your business by creating music and connecting with fans.
With the rise of social media, music streaming, home recording technology, and direct fan access, indie musicians can build profitable artistry-driven businesses themselves.
To start, hone your craft and find your unique creative niche. Master your instruments, produce demos of songs showcasing your style, and play small local venues to build an early following.
You can leverage platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share your music as you build out a catalog of content. Also, release songs on major streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music so fans globally can listen, save, and share your work. Sell merchandise like t-shirts, hoodies, and posters on your own website to generate additional income from your growing following.
By perfecting your sound and engaging possible fans through social media, streaming, performances, and direct outreach, you can build a thriving long-term business around your artistic passion and originality.
How much you can make: $3,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 360 days (?)
24. Start an organic gardening business
Are you looking for a fun and easy home business? Would you love to try something totally different? Do you love the idea of growing your own food? Then starting an organic gardening business might be for you!
The idea of starting an organic gardening business may seem like a dream for many people. That’s because there are many requirements in starting a business involving time, effort, knowledge and capital. However, you shouldn’t stop dreaming now – organic gardening is a booming industry and it has no signs of slowing down.
Here is a guide for starting your organic gardening business:
- Learn about organic gardening
- Select a crop you want to work on
- Name your business
- Decide on a marketing strategy
How much you can make: $700/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 14 days (?)
25. Start an online clothing business ($347K/month)
Starting an online clothing business is an exciting and promising venture. The concept is simple: create an online platform where customers can browse, purchase, and receive their fashion items directly to their doorstep. The beauty of an online clothing business is that you don't have to worry about the overhead costs associated with a physical store, and you can reach a broader customer base.
However, running a successful online clothing business takes more than just setting up a website and listing products. Here are a few tips to ensure your business thrives:
- Find your niche: The fashion industry is vast, and it’s essential to find your niche and target market. Identify what type of clothing you want to sell and to whom. For example, if you’re passionate about sustainable fashion, you can focus on selling eco-friendly clothing for the eco-conscious consumer.
- Build a strong brand: Your brand is your business’s identity, and it’s crucial to create a strong brand that resonates with your target market. Choose a catchy and memorable business name, and create a consistent visual identity across all platforms, including your website, social media, and packaging.
- Invest in excellent product photography: The quality of your product photography can make or break your business. People can’t touch or try on clothes online, so the photos are their only reference. Invest in professional photography to showcase your products in the best light possible.
- Prioritize customer service: Good customer service is vital to building customer trust and loyalty. Respond quickly to customer inquiries, and make it easy for them to contact you. Offer free returns, and consider offering a loyalty program to keep your customers returning.
- Stay on top of trends: The fashion industry is ever-evolving, and it’s crucial to stay on top of the latest trends. Keep an eye on what’s popular and what's coming next, and consider incorporating trendy items into your product offerings.
Starting an online clothing business may seem daunting, but it’s an exciting and fulfilling venture. By finding your niche, building a solid brand, investing in excellent product photography, prioritizing customer service, and staying on top of trends, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful and lucrative online clothing business.
How much you can make: $5,000 — $1,333,333/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
26. Become a music teacher
Do you have a passion for music and a knack for teaching others? Becoming a music teacher might be the right path for you. As a music teacher, you'll provide lessons in instruments or vocal performance, tailoring sessions to fit each student's skill level and musical tastes.
Your work will involve designing lesson plans, setting practice goals, and tracking your students' progress. This requires patience, dedication, and an ability to motivate others. Whether you offer private lessons at home, rent a studio, or even teach online, you can create a flexible schedule that works for you.
Music teaching can be deeply rewarding, as you help students reach their musical aspirations. If you have the expertise and a passion for sharing it, this business could provide a fulfilling way to make a living while enriching others' lives through music.
How much you can make: $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $70 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
27. Start a snow removal service
Snow plowing is a high-margin scalable business with low overhead costs. Although seasonal, you can earn a decent living by plowing snow in winter. Entrepreneurs with a dump trailer and snow plow can serve commercial and residential customers and stay busy during or after a snowstorm.
28. Start a balloon artist business
A balloon artist creates balloon decorations for various types of parties and events. Also known as twisters, balloon artists can earn a decent hourly pay depending on the event type. Balloon art is a low-overhead business and offers a high-profit margin potential.
More business ideas
- 29. Start a coloring books business
30. Start a coffee magazine
Thinking of combining your passion for coffee and publishing? Starting a coffee magazine could be your perfect brew. In simple terms, a coffee magazine is a specialized publication that explores the rich world of coffee—from bean to cup—covering topics like brewing techniques, coffee culture, and industry trends.
You'll begin by conducting in-depth research, connecting with coffee experts, and interviewing baristas to create high-quality content that captivates readers. Expect to engage in photography sessions, attend coffee events, and network with advertisers to fund your venture.
To attract and retain subscribers, consider offering both print and digital versions, along with exclusive perks like early access to events or limited-edition coffee samples. If you have a knack for storytelling and a deep love for coffee, this business idea could make you a key influencer in the coffee community.
How much you can make: $8,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
More business ideas
- 31. Start a bicycle rental business
32. Start a podcaster community
Start fostering connections that matter with a dedicated community for podcasters. Launching a podcaster community involves creating a platform where podcast creators can share tips, network, and collaborate.
The essence of this business idea is straightforward: develop a space—either online or in person—where podcasters can meet, exchange ideas, and support each other. You’ll facilitate conversations about equipment, editing software, marketing strategies, and guest bookings, helping both novice and experienced podcasters enhance their craft.
The need for such a platform is growing as podcasting becomes an increasingly popular medium for storytelling and information-sharing. By creating a podcaster community, you’re not just organizing meetups or forums but nurturing an ecosystem where creativity and learning flourish.
Starting this venture involves managing forums, hosting events or webinars, and engaging consistently with your members. It requires effort and dedication but can be incredibly rewarding as you watch individuals and their podcasts grow thanks to the collective wisdom of the community.
How much you can make: $5,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
More business ideas
- 33. Start a costume business
Frequently asked questions
Can a 12-year-old have their own business?
Yes, a 12-year-old can have their own business. However, the process can be a bit complicated, as most business requirements include conditions, terms, and even permission from the legal guardian (for minors).
Now, while such things can get complicated, there are ways for a 12-year-old to earn money from different things. As long as the business isn’t something like a large-scale, you likely wouldn’t have to go through some tedious process.
Is it possible to make money as a 12-year-old?
Yes, making money as a 12-year-old is possible. There are many ways to earn and make money, and most of these ways only require doing and finishing simple tasks that even a 12-year-old can do.
One thing to note is that making money as a 12-year-old is good, but it doesn’t mean you’ll spend most of your time with it and discard essential duties like studies. As always, a 12-year-old should prioritize studying, and making money should only be a side hustle or a hobby.
What businesses can you start as a 12-year-old teenager?
As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of business ideas that even a 12-year-old can start. But, of course, these businesses can be as easy as doing simple tasks or selling simple products or services.
Also, it would be best to start a small-scale business, especially if you’re only 12 years old. While it’s possible to do something large-scale, it takes a lot of time and responsibilities.
Further, a large-scale business isn’t ideal for a 12-year-old since the entire thing can take up lots of time, affecting important stuff like school and study time.
Conclusion
I hope this list of ideas for 12-year-olds has helped you at least a little to get an idea of how you can make money at this age.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
