Did you know that a 10-year-old who walks dogs three times a week can earn about £15 to £20?

Or that a 12-year-old selling handmade slime at school can make £30 in a single good week? These aren't fantasy numbers: they are real examples of how kids are using their entrepreneurship skills to earn income and build their own financial independence.

Starting a business is about more than just filling a piggy bank. It is about spotting a problem and being the person who solves it. When you start a small business, you are not just a kid with a hobby, you are a founder.

Finn

Finn says:

"If I start a business, do I have to pay my parents back for the soap I used to wash the cars?"

Before you dive in, you need to decide what kind of business fits your life. Some businesses require tools and materials, while others just require your time and effort. Let's look at the best ways to get started.

Service Businesses: Trade Time for Cash

Service businesses are often the easiest to start because you usually don't need to buy anything first. You are selling your skills or your help to people who need it.

  1. Dog Walking

    • Age: 10+
    • Startup Cost: £0
    • Earning Potential: £5 to £10 per walk
    • Skills Learned: Responsibility and safety

  2. Car Washing

    • Age: 8+
    • Startup Cost: £10 (soap, sponge, bucket)
    • Earning Potential: £5 to £15 per car
    • Skills Learned: Attention to detail

  3. Lawn Mowing & Weeding

    • Age: 11+
    • Startup Cost: £0 (if using the neighbor's mower)
    • Earning Potential: £10 to £20 per garden
    • Skills Learned: Hard work and perseverance

Money Math

Let's do the Dog Walking Math: - 1 dog per walk: £7 - 3 walks per week: £21 - 4 weeks in a month: £84 - Total Startup Cost: £0 - Total Profit: £84!

  1. Tech Support for Seniors

    • Age: 12+
    • Startup Cost: £0
    • Earning Potential: £10 per visit
    • Skills Learned: Communication and patience

  2. Mother's Helper

    • Age: 10+
    • Startup Cost: £0
    • Earning Potential: £5 to £8 per hour
    • Skills Learned: Multi-tasking (playing with kids while a parent works nearby)

Warren Buffett

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

Warren Buffett

Warren Buffett is one of the most successful investors in history. He started his first business as a kid selling chewing gum and Coca-Cola door-to-door.

Product Businesses: Create and Sell

If you love making things, a product-based business might be for you. You will need to think about profit margins, which is the money you keep after paying for your materials.

  1. Custom Greeting Cards

    • Age: 8+
    • Startup Cost: £5 (paper and pens)
    • Earning Potential: £2 to £4 per card
    • Skills Learned: Creative design

  2. Plant Propagation (Selling Cuttings)

    • Age: 9+
    • Startup Cost: £5 (pots and soil)
    • Earning Potential: £3 to £7 per plant
    • Skills Learned: Patience and biology

  3. Handmade Jewelry

    • Age: 8+
    • Startup Cost: £15 (beads and string)
    • Earning Potential: £4 to £10 per piece
    • Skills Learned: Inventory management

Mira

Mira says:

"Think about it: selling a plant you grew from a tiny cutting is like making money out of thin air and sunshine!"

  1. Baked Goods Delivery
    • Age: 10+ (with adult supervision)
    • Startup Cost: £15 (ingredients and packaging)
    • Earning Potential: £10 to £20 per batch
    • Skills Learned: Food safety and timing

Try this

The Problem Notebook: Walk around your neighborhood today with a notebook. Write down five things that look like they need help (long grass, dirty bins, bored pets). Every item you write down is a business idea waiting to happen!

Digital Businesses: Using Your Tech Skills

Digital businesses are great because you can often run them from your living room. These are perfect for kids who are already comfortable with apps and design tools.

  1. Digital Art Commissions

    • Age: 12+
    • Startup Cost: £0 (if you already have a tablet/computer)
    • Earning Potential: £5 to £20 per drawing
    • Skills Learned: Negotiating and tech proficiency

  2. Tutoring Younger Kids Online

    • Age: 13+
    • Startup Cost: £0
    • Earning Potential: £10 to £15 per hour
    • Skills Learned: Leadership and clear explaining

Dave Ramsey

A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.

Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is a famous financial author who teaches people how to stay out of debt. He believes that knowing where your business money goes is the key to success.

  1. Social Media Helper for Local Shops
    • Age: 14+
    • Startup Cost: £0
    • Earning Potential: £20 to £50 per month per shop
    • Skills Learned: Marketing and professional communication

Did you know?
A young boy starting a small business long ago

Did you know that many famous entrepreneurs started as kids? The founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprad, started by selling matches to his neighbors when he was only five years old!

Seasonal Opportunities: Make Money All Year

Some of the best businesses only happen a few times a year. These are high-intensity and can help you reach a big savings goal quickly.

  1. Holiday Gift Wrapping

    • Age: 8+
    • Startup Cost: £10 (tape and fancy paper)
    • Earning Potential: £2 to £5 per gift
    • Skills Learned: Presentation and organization

  2. Summer Garden Watering

    • Age: 8+
    • Startup Cost: £0
    • Earning Potential: £15 to £25 per week (watching neighbors' plants while they vacation)
    • Skills Learned: Reliability

  3. Leaf Raking or Snow Shoveling

    • Age: 11+
    • Startup Cost: £10 (if you buy your own rake/shovel)
    • Earning Potential: £10 to £20 per driveway
    • Skills Learned: Physical fitness and scheduling

A flowchart helping kids choose a business based on their interests
Matching your business to what you love makes 'work' feel like play.

How to Pick the Right Idea

Choosing the right business is like choosing a character in a video game. You want to pick the one that matches your stats! Ask yourself these three questions:

  1. What do I actually enjoy doing? If you hate the cold, don't start a snow-shoveling business.
  2. What does my neighborhood need? Look around. Are there lots of dogs? Are the cars dirty? Are the gardens full of weeds?
  3. How much time do I have? A business shouldn't get in the way of school or sleep.

Two sides
The Inner Circle

Selling to friends and family is safe and easy, but you might run out of customers quickly.

The Outer World

Selling to neighbors and local shops helps you grow faster, but you must always have an adult with you for safety.

Warren Buffett

The more you learn, the more you earn.

Warren Buffett

This simple rule reminds us that the skills we gain from our first business are often more valuable than the cash we make.

If you want to start small, you can always check out our guide to the classic lemonade-stand to learn the basics. If you are ready to think like a professional boss, head over to our page on kids-entrepreneurship to learn how to scale your idea!

Something to Think About

If you could only spend your business earnings on something that helps other people, what would your business be?

There is no right answer here! Some people start businesses to save for college, while others want to donate to animal shelters. Your 'why' is just as important as your 'what'.

Questions About Earning & Pocket Money

Do I need to pay taxes as a kid?
In most places, you only need to pay taxes if you earn a lot of money (usually thousands of pounds or dollars). For a small neighborhood business, you generally don't have to worry about it, but it is a good idea to keep a list of what you earn just in case!
How do I find my first customer?
Start with people you know! Tell your parents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors. Most people love supporting young entrepreneurs and will be happy to be your first 'test' customer.
What if I start a business and I don't like it?
That is perfectly okay! One of the best parts of being a kid entrepreneur is that you can try different things. If you find out you hate washing cars, you can finish your current jobs and then try something digital or creative instead.

You Are the Boss Now

Starting a business is the ultimate way to learn about money. You will learn how to talk to adults, how to manage your time, and the amazing feeling of earning your very first pound. Which idea are you going to try first? Remember, every giant company in the world started as just a small idea, just like yours.