Top 40 Business Ideas for 13-Year Olds [Updated for 2024]

Are you feeling inspired to start your own business? You're not alone! Many 13-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. 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.

2. Start an errand service

Errand services help people and businesses who have daily errands to run but need an extra hand. So, they seek professional help who can do their chores on time with utmost efficiency.

You can provide various services as an errand business, including grocery shopping, picking up + sorting through mail, going to the bank, and much more.

Starting an errand business is relatively easy. Consider offering package deals as a way of getting and retaining customers. Most errand businesses charge per hour, and you may charge per mileage if the task involves driving.

3. Become an author ($227K/month)

Becoming an author is an exciting journey that involves creating and publishing written works, such as books, novels, or articles that reflect one’s ideas, stories, or expertise.

You can establish yourself through traditional publishing routes or self-publishing, utilizing your literary skills to connect with readers and potentially earn revenue from book sales.

Traditional publishing involves submitting a manuscript to a publishing house or literary agent who will review and decide if it is suitable for publication.

On the other hand, self-publishing gives authors complete control over the publishing process, allowing them to publish their work independently and market it on their own.

You can generate income through book sales, royalties, and opportunities such as speaking engagements or workshops.

4. 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.

5. Start a tutoring business ($213K/month)

Starting a tutoring side hustle is a great way for teachers and students to earn extra monthly income.

If you are considering becoming a tutor, find an ideal tutoring niche, and craft a tutoring website.

Then, find your tutoring clients and market your side hustle online. You can choose to offer online tutoring as a part-time or full-time engagement.

6. 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!

7. Start a bakery ($10.5K/month)

Everyone loves baked goods, be it sweet items like cakes, muffins, and cookies or savory baked food like pizzas, buns, bread, and puff pastry. Baking takes a lot of effort and patience, which is why many people buy baked items from stores or restaurants instead of baking them at home.

Starting a bakery can be a rewarding business opportunity if you have a passion for baking. If you plan to start a bakery, consider that happy customers often become repeat customers. Therefore, always focus on quality and work on customer satisfaction.

To start a bakery , pick an ideal format. Some options include:

• Counter-style bakery
• A hybrid bakery with a cafe,
• Food truck with a bakery
• Home bakery.

Write a suitable business plan and choose the correct location.

8. 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.

9. Start a jewelry design business

Jewelry design can be both an artistic outlet and a lucrative business venture. By launching a jewelry design business, you’ll craft unique pieces that reflect personal style and stories.

This business involves designing, creating, and selling jewelry pieces such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. You’ll begin by sourcing quality materials and learning various crafting techniques. Embrace the power of online platforms like Etsy or your own e-commerce site to showcase your work and reach a broader audience.

While the creativity aspect is enticing, remember that this business demands persistence and precision. You'll need to continuously refine your skills, keep up with trends, and manage customer relationships.

Whether you start small, crafting pieces at home, or aim to launch a full-scale brand, entering the world of jewelry design offers the chance to create beauty and value, making it a compelling business idea to explore.

10. Start a clothing designing business ($38.3K/month)

A clothing design business involves conceptualizing stylish clothing and accessory designs, selecting fabrics and materials, assembling prototypes and finished products, and determining production and distribution plans.

To launch a successful clothing line, you need to understand industry trends, choose a profitable niche like sportswear or business formalwear, use digital design tools for easy iterations and adjustments, implement lean manufacturing to control costs and market aggressively on social media and through influencer partnerships.

With keen business acumen and appealing designs, a clothing design business can stand out in a crowded apparel marketplace. Focus on building a clothing brand that resonates with consumers and enables growth year-over-year.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Start a business podcast ($111K/month)

Launching a business podcast could be your golden ticket to carving out a unique niche in the digital age. Essentially, a business podcast involves creating audio content focused on industry insights, trends, and expert interviews that provide value to business enthusiasts and professionals alike.

To get started, you'll need a clear vision of your podcast's theme and target audience. Craft compelling episodes, secure industry leaders for interviews, and utilize quality recording equipment. Marketing your podcast through social media and leveraging platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts will be crucial.

Imagine cultivating a platform where you engage with followers, influence markets, and generate ad revenue. A business podcast offers low upfront costs and flexible scheduling, fitting seamlessly into your busy life. The real work lies in consistency and quality to build a loyal listener base. If you have a passion for business and communication, this venture could be incredibly rewarding.

17. Start a car wash

As more people purchase vehicles, the demand for carwash services will keep increasing. Starting a car wash can be the ticket for the budding entrepreneur looking for an innovative business idea with low startup costs.

You must choose an ideal location and invest in quality car wash equipment to operate a successful car wash. Proper advertising and marketing are critical to running a successful car wash business.

18. 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.

19. 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.

More business ideas

• 20. Start a magician

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Start a garage sale

Sifting through treasures and making a profit—consider starting a garage sale business. Essentially, you’ll be buying, organizing, and selling second-hand items from your own garage.

It’s a straightforward venture: hunt for valuable items at flea markets, estate sales, or online, then curate an inviting setup in your garage to attract locals. Not only does this require minimal startup capital, but it also helps you cash in on the "reuse" trend.

People love discovering hidden gems at affordable prices, and your sale could become a weekend hotspot. With effective marketing and a keen eye for quality items, you could turn a simple pastime into a profitable side hustle.

If you enjoy the thrill of finding bargains and have a knack for organizing, a garage sale business could be an engaging way to make extra income. Plus, it offers flexibility to work at your own pace, right from the comfort of your home.

24. 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.

25. Start a gift baskets business ($188K/month)

A gift basket is delivered to the recipient at the workplace or residence. A gift basket business is a noble idea because, with a proper strategy, you can remain in business all year round.

To start a gift basket business, choose a niche or a sales channel, and register your business appropriately. Then, with a proper marketing strategy, you should be able to reach a broader customer base.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Start a waste recycling business ($165K/month)

If you have a passion for saving the planet and going green, starting a waste recycling business may be the right route for you to take. Waste recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be trashed and processing them into new products.

Starting a waste recycling business is not only profitable, but it can also benefit the community and the environment. To start a waste recycling business, research the industry and determine the costs involved. Then, register the business and equip your waste recycling facility.

30. Start an event planning business ($155K/month)

Event planners handle different tasks related to making the business a success. Some of the event planner’s responsibilities include:

• Conducting research
• Creating the event design
• Finding an ideal site
• Arranging for food, décor, and entertainment
• Planning logistics to and from the event
• Sending invitations
• Supervising at the site etc

To start this business on a budget, begin by honing your organizational and communication skills.

Next, create a detailed business plan outlining your services, target market, and pricing structure.

Utilize free or low-cost online tools for marketing, and consider starting small by offering services for smaller events before expanding your business as you gain experience and resources.

More business ideas

• 31. Start a home inventory business

32. 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.

33. Become a juggler

A juggler business is a unique and exciting entrepreneurial opportunity that involves performing juggling acts for various events and occasions. This can include everything from corporate events and birthday parties to street performances and festivals.

To start a juggler business, it is essential to have a strong foundation in juggling techniques and be able to perform a variety of tricks and routines. It is also important to have a strong stage presence and the ability to engage and entertain an audience.

To run a successful juggling business, it is important to constantly work on improving and expanding your skills. This can involve taking juggling lessons or workshops, or simply practicing on your own. It is also crucial to have a professional website and social media presence to showcase your skills and attract potential clients.

Another key aspect of running a successful juggling business is marketing and networking. This can involve reaching out to event planners and venues, attending industry events and networking with other entertainers, and promoting your services through social media and other channels.

Overall, a juggling business can be a fun and rewarding entrepreneurial opportunity for those who love to perform and entertain. By constantly improving your skills and marketing your services effectively, you can turn your passion for juggling into a successful business.

More business ideas

• 34. Become a children's party planner

35. Start a garden cleaning business

If you want to start a gardening-related business, you may consider providing garden cleanups to residential and commercial customers. Your role will be to provide garden cleanups to prevent pests, weed seed, and diseases and prepares the garden for fun activities while providing a clean slate for perennial and vegetables to grow.

36. Become a coloring book artist

A coloring book artist business involves creating and selling coloring books for adults and children. The artist creates the designs and illustrations for the coloring pages and then prints and binds the books for sale.

To run a successful coloring book artist business, it’s essential to have a unique style and create designs that appeal to a specific audience. The artist should also have a solid online presence, with a website and social media accounts to showcase their work and reach potential customers.

One essential tip for success is to consistently produce new coloring books and updates to existing designs to keep customers coming back for more. It’s also important to consider partnering with retailers or collaborating with other artists to expand the reach of the business.

Another critical aspect of running a coloring book artist business is pricing and marketing. The artist should research and understand the market to determine a competitive price point and utilize marketing strategies such as email campaigns and social media advertising to reach their target audience.

Overall, a coloring book artist business can be a rewarding and creative venture for entrepreneurs with a passion for art and a desire to share their work with others. By consistently creating new designs, effective marketing, and selling their coloring books, artists can build a successful and fulfilling business in this line.

More business ideas

• 37. Start a coloring books business

38. Start a computer setup business

In a world steadily relying on technology, a computer setup business is a venture that promises steady demand. The concept is fairly simple: you provide services to help clients with everything from unboxing and setting up their new desktop, laptop or tablet, to providing them with a smooth and thorough introduction to its functionality and features.

This business thrives on offering convenience, saving clients potentially confusing and time-consuming setup processes, and instead letting them dive straight into using their new tech tools effectively. Additionally, with potential for further value-additions like tech advice, troubleshooting, and custom software installations, this idea can be easily scalable.

Given the wide customer base, ranging from individuals to small businesses and even corporate entities, a computer setup business has the potential to be both profitable and fulfilling. It's an excellent entry point for tech-savvy individuals looking for a practical way to transform their tech knowledge into a thriving business.

39. 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.

More business ideas

• 40. Start a costume business

Frequently asked questions

Can a 13-year-old have their own business?

Yes, a 13-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 13-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 13-year-old?

Yes, making money as a 13-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 13-year-old can do.

One thing to note is that making money as a 13-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 13-year-old should prioritize studying, and making money should only be a side hustle or a hobby.

What businesses can you start as a 13-year-old teenager?

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of business ideas that even a 13-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 13 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 13-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 13-year-olds has helped you at least a little to get an idea of how you can make money at this age.

If you're looking for more business ideas or want to start a business but don't know how, check out our newsletter.

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