Top 51 Business Ideas for 15-Year Olds [Updated for 2024]

Are you feeling inspired to start your own business? You're not alone! Many 15-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 virtual assistant ($340K/month)

Virtual assistants support businesses, teams, or individuals by performing administrative tasks remotely. As businesses these days tend to outsource their tasks, the demand for virtual assistants is growing rapidly.

Becoming a virtual assistant is flexible, as you can choose a work schedule and location at your convenience. Many virtual assistants have a dedicated home office where they work in a quiet and distraction-free environment.

To become a virtual assistant, identify a niche you like and undertake any training. Then, figure out how much to charge your customers and create an online presence where you can apply for jobs. As a virtual assistant, you can define your work schedule depending on your availability.

2. Start a data entry service

Data entry service is expanding and growing with each passing day. Thus, starting a data entry business can be a profitable opportunity. Data entry experts can work from home and choose their preferred work schedule. To become a data entry specialist, you need computing skills. Alternatively, you can outsource the contracts to a third party.

3. Start a waste recycling business

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.

4. Start a dog walking business ($54K/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.

5. Start an e-waste recycling business

E-waste refers to electronic products nearing the end of their useful life. They include computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, and other electronics used in our homes of businesses.

Recycling e-waste is reusing and reprocessing electrical and electronic equipment that has been discarded or regarded as obsolete. Initiated to protect human and environmental health, e-waste recycling has become one of the most profitable recycling opportunities.

To start an e-waste recycling business, research and gather more information on the E-waste recycling industry.

Then, identify the electronic wastes available to you that can be recycled. Create a business plan, and acquire all necessary permits and licenses before launching your business.

6. Start a cleaning service ($302K/month)

A housecleaning side business is a beautiful idea for people with free time on weekends or even weekdays. The side hustle idea requires little capital to start. During the launch, you can choose to offer the service to your neighbors and scale as you gain experience. The average salary for a house cleaner is $17.32 per hour.

By starting a house cleaning business, you are tapping into an enormous market with plenty of clientele. There could always be demand for your cleaning service, which keeps you in business as you help homeowners keep their homes spotless.

7. 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.

8. Start a garage sale business

9. Start a lawn care service

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.

10. Become a videographer

A videographer uses his video camera to record footage for different events.

Examples of events where videographers are common include weddings, documentaries, training videos, commercials, TV shows, infomercials, live events, corporate promotions, etc. Videographers are not only responsible for operating the camera. They must have the skills required for the production of a video, which includes the following:

• Lighting
• Sound
• Maintenance
• Equipment repair
• Video editing

To become a videographer, pursue a videography education, and attend internships to gain experience. Build a portfolio, so your target audience finds you online and starts hiring your services.

11. Start a landscaping business

A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.

For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.

Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.

12. Start a web design and development blogging business

13. Start a sports promotion business

A sports promotion business uses sporting marketing strategies to popularize sporting activities and appeal to the target audience. The sports promotion businesses may focus on marketing:

• Sporting activities
• Sports businesses
• Individual athletes
• Stadium and sports facilities

To start a sports promotion business, choose a niche, define the target audience and create a website. Then, create appealing marketing content and post it on your website. Launch a social media marketing campaign to expand the reach and accelerate results.

14. 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.

15. Start a house sitting business

House sitters take care of customers' homes while they are away for extended periods. You may be able to offer house sitting to people with multiple properties for short-term or long-term, depending on how much time you have.

Starting a house-sitting business does not require a huge amount of capital. You can create a website or a social media page and advertise your services. Your typical duties as a house-sitting agent will include the following:

• Feeding pets, cleaning cages and grooming them
• General housework and cleaning
• Maintaining gardens and hedges
• Taking in the post, newspapers, and junk mail
• Watering houseplants

You can attract new customers by printing a few business flyers and targeting wealthy housing estates or apartments in the city.

16. 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.

17. Start a transcribing service business ($3K/month)

18. Start a magician

19. 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.

20. Become a stock photographer

A stock photographer creates a wide variety of high-quality photos and licenses them out to individuals, businesses, and organizations through stock photo sites. This allows many different customers to use your photos for web content, brochures, advertisements, presentations, and more in exchange for royalty payments.

As a stock photographer, you retain ownership of your photos while selling licenses for their various commercial uses. With each photo download, you get paid a royalty fee. Top stock photographers make a full-time living through licensing fees across their robust galleries of creative, useful images.

To be successful, focus first on building a diverse, striking collection showcasing your best photography. Study top-selling images on leading stock sites to understand what subject matters, styles, and technical executions garner the most demand.

Target popular neglected niches and leverage platforms like Shutterstock, Stock, and Adobe Stock to upload your growing stock library. With abundant high-quality and keyword-optimized images in your portfolio, your work can start getting discovered and driving passive licensing income over time.

21. Start an event planning business ($92.5K/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.

22. Become a gift basket seller

A gift basket is typically a bundled gift filled with presents and delivered to the recipient at home or the workplace.

The gifting ritual is an old practice, and regardless of the occasion, people love giving each other gifts (and receiving them). According to data, the global gift market’s worth is estimated at $62 billion, with 62% of Americans preferring to give personalized gift markets over expensive items.

If you love unique gifting, starting a gift basket business could be a gratifying and fun business idea. Many gift basket shops choose to operate entirely online since an online business allows them to work from anywhere, while customers can also purchase at their convenience.

23. Start a clothing designing business

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.

24. Start a bakery

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.

25. Become a tutorial video creator

A tutorial video is a subcategory of instructional videos that share knowledge and interact with viewers. Different forms of tutorial videos include:

• Presentation: common among college professors and teachers
• Niche videos: short 10-15 minutes tutorials covering a wide range of topics
• Training videos: teach candidates the skills they need to perform better at work

Creating tutorial videos is not a difficult task. With a proper strategy, you can make a tutorial video. Invest in a professional camera for your business and start creating a tutorial video. Then, outline the video contents you intend to create and create scripts.

26. Start a meat grower business

Cultivated meat, also known as grown or cultured meat, is genuine animal meat produced through the cultivation of animal cells.

The introduction of meat growing eliminates the need to raise farm animals for food. According to a CNBC report, lab-grown meat is making strides, a trend that is becoming unstoppable. Experts project that the cell-based meat market will reach 94.5 billion in the next few years.

If you are starting a lab-grown meat business, establish and meet safety requirements. Then, develop a clear and understandable labeling practice, and focus on offering the customers a price parity with conventional meat.

27. Start a garage sale

28. Become a youtube personality

YouTube personalities produce videos on YouTube and post them on their channels. YouTube personalities make money through the following:

• Advertising revenue - Ads revenue from the display, overlay, and video ads
• Channel Memberships – members earn recurring revenue in exchange for special perks they offer
• Merch Shelf – When channel fans browse and purchase official branded merchandise, you showcase it on watch pages.
• Super Chat & Super Stickers – Fans pay to get their messages highlighted in chat streams
• YouTube Premium Revenue – Get part of a premium subscriber’s subscription fee when fans watch your content.

You can start earning money through either or all of the above options, so long as you meet their YouTube-defined criteria and they are available in your location.

If you want to make money on YouTube, you must apply and be approved for the YouTube Partner Program, which gives creators greater access to YouTube resources and features.

29. Start a craft business

If you have artistic passion and the skills to make unique art, consider starting a craft business. Craft businesses make jewelry, clothing design, card making, painting, sculpting, ceramics, among others.

According to research, the global handicraft market size will reach over $1252 billion in the next decade.

The best websites to sell your crafts include:

• eBay
• Etsy
• DeviantArt
• Redbubble

30. Start a book seller

31. Become a music teacher

32. Start a delivery service

Delivery service refers to a collection of services that deliver goods and products through the land, air, or waterways across locations. The delivery services serve B2B, B2C, and C2C customers.

The growing e-commerce sect and increased cross-border trade are some factors driving the growth of delivery services. Furthermore, consumer preference for online shopping has greatly contributed to the increased demand for delivery services.

To start a delivery service, make sure you have a cargo van, a fully functional website, and meet all the legalities for operating a business in your state.

33. Start a soap making business

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.

34. Start a podcaster community

35. 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.

36. 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

• 37. Become a live streamer

• 38. Start a coffee magazine

• 39. Start a home inventory business

• 40. Start a party clown business

41. 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

• 42. Start a custom portrait artistry business

• 43. Start a home safety guides for the elderly business

44. Start a holiday decoration business

The holiday decoration business involves creating and selling festive decorations for holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, and Halloween. This can include everything from traditional decorations such as wreaths and tree ornaments to more unique and customizable items like personalized stockings or holiday-themed home decor.

To run a successful holiday decoration business, it is essential to keep up with the latest trends and offer various products to appeal to various customers. It is also essential to have a strong online presence, as many holiday shoppers turn to the internet to purchase decorations.

Effective marketing and promotion strategies, such as social media advertising and partnerships with local businesses, can help attract customers and drive sales. It is also essential to focus on customer service and offer excellent customer support to ensure a positive shopping experience and encourage repeat business.

Finally, it is essential to have a reliable supply chain in place to ensure the timely delivery of products and avoid any potential delays or disappointments for customers. With proper planning and execution, the holiday decoration business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture.

More business ideas

• 45. Start a recycling project business

46. Become a scrapbooker business

Scrapbooking is a creative hobby that involves designing and putting together a visually appealing album of memories and memorable moments. It can be a great business idea for those passionate about crafting and design.

To start a scrapbooking business, you will need a few essential supplies such as paper, stickers, markers, and other decorative items. You may also need a computer and photo editing software to create digital layouts and designs.

For success, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the different scrapbooking techniques and styles. It would help if you also were skilled in design, creativity, and customer service.

Several ways to offer scrapbooking services include hosting parties, creating customized albums for clients, or selling scrapbooking supplies. You can also consider offering online classes or tutorials to teach others how to scrapbook.

Marketing your business is crucial to attracting potential customers. You can use social media, online directories, and local advertising to showcase your skills and services. You can also consider joining local craft fairs and events to showcase your work and connect with other crafters.

Overall, a scrapbooking business can be a rewarding and fulfilling venture for those passionate about creativity and design. You can turn your hobby into a successful business with the right skills, supplies, and marketing efforts.

More business ideas

• 47. Become a children's party planner

• 48. Start a fire safety products selling business

• 49. Start a business errand services

• 50. Start a costume business

• 51. Become a babysitter

Frequently asked questions

Can a 15-year-old have their own business?

Yes, a 15-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 15-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 15-year-old?

Yes, making money as a 15-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 15-year-old can do.

One thing to note is that making money as a 15-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 15-year-old should prioritize studying, and making money should only be a side hustle or a hobby.

What businesses can you start as a 15-year-old teenager?

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of business ideas that even a 15-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 15 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 15-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 15-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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