I’ve heard several successful entrepreneurs refer to themselves as serial entrepreneurs. I would have to say that I fall into that label. As a child, I was always coming up with different ideas of how to separate my Elementary School friends from their allowance…in a good way!
Now, my oldest, who is in Elementary School, is following in her mother’s footsteps. She’s been begging me to put her old Easy Bake Oven on eBay in hopes of making boat loads of cash. Unfortunately, I told her it doesn’t quite work that way, but I have come up with a few ideas she, and your Elementary School aged child can do, too!
1. Selling water bottles and drink mix at yard sales. We’ve actually already tested selling ice cold water bottles and soda at yard sales, but if you buy some of the drink mix “singles" that can be mixed right in the bottle, you have a great “upsell" after your yard sale shoppers buy the water. Be sure your child is out there selling it. People are suckers for helping out kids.
2. Cutting out coupons to sell on eBay. Believe it or not, people actually buy your Sunday paper coupons on eBay. Now, you will have to put a note in your auction that says you aren’t selling coupons, but the labor it took to cut them out. My daughter cuts them out and I list them and she keeps the profits. Makes a good math lesson, too!
3. Pet sitting. This is a classic kid job that works well if you are in a neighborhood. Just make all arrangements before the family needing a pet sitter leaves and your child will go over to the house to feed and play with the pet while they’re gone. I would advise that you go with them, just to make sure the child doesn’t get nosey or get into trouble.
4. Plant watering service. Some people really love their plants, so what better service for a child to provide to traveling families than a plant watering service? Keep the same principles in mind as the pet sitting, but the service will be much less intensive since plants don’t need as much attention as pets.
5. Mother’s helpers. For older Elementary and Middle School age children who love babies and toddlers, but are too young to babysit by themselves, a mother’s helper might be the perfect job. The child would just play and entertain the baby or toddler while the mother worked on other projects around the house.
All of these ideas have little to no start up costs and can help foster the entrepreneurial interests of your child!
Another way to nurture the entrepreneur in your child is by attending events like http://www.EntrepreneurConference.com This family friendly event will surely get your child's mind spinning!
If you're interested in something for the whole family on an on-going basis, http://www.ChristianEntrepreneursUnite.com is a great place to network with other like-minded entrepreneurs and their families. |
