Summer Businesses for High School Students?

An anonymous reader asks: "A friend and I are going into our final year of high school, and given a variety of factors (the relative paucity of technology jobs for HS students, etc.), would like to start our own business. We'll probably have about $1000 in capital, but (in effect) start out with no other resources other than our own skills (technical and otherwise). We have no constant access to a car, which means on-site tech support is effectively out. We'd like to start something in the technology field (IT, software design, hardware construction - we can solder, web design, etc.), but are open to any suggestions. We'd also like some sort of business we can start this summer, but can continue to maintain. What do you suggest as a business idea for the summer->longer term?"

Where do you live?

[schnits0r]

I beleive if you live in certain places, they pay you for donating sperm. My summer job when I was a teen, was more like summer volunteer work.

More info needed.

[Anonymous Coward]

1. Where are you? US? What region thereof?
2. What's your skillset?
3. What's your dream job? What's "beneath you?" What can you not stand to do?

I don't want to crush your hopes, but you may find it very difficult to do something meaningful. You might consider finding the Entrepeneur's Club at a local college / University and hooking up with them. They may be able to find investors for you if you can present a viable business plan.

Good luck. You'll need it.

CMFH - Code Monkeys For Hire (LLC)

[TechnoBoffin]

Programming of any sort (including web design) is probably the most portable of the IT trades. You can do it from your house, or from your dorm room if and when you go off to college. Beyond that, maybe building custom-order systems for people, but it's unlikely you could ramp that up in 3 months. You might also check out itmoonlighter.com for some available contracting work in your area which might not require you to be on-site.

Have you considered mowing grass?

[Fortunato_NC]

Since you guys are (most likely) minors and can legally repudiate any contracts you sign, many folks are going to be rightly cautious about dealing with you. You can make decent summer cash with a gas can and a lawnmower. I would have said get a paper route, but most paper carriers these days are retired folks with station wagons. One retired guy with a station wagon replaced me and my two brothers, plus a few other paper carriers when we gave up our routes in the late early 1990's. If you have friends who run a business, you might be able to get some web design work tossed your way, but I think you'll find that mowing grass will provide a more steady stream of income. Sorry to be a buzz kill, but I was 16 once, too. Don't lose your entreprenurial bent, though - it will serve you well once you join the majority. I've started 3 companies - cratered two and sold one, but I've had a lot more fun than my friends who've stuck with their "safe" jobs.

A suggestion...

[almaon]

I work at a local comuter retailer in my city, one of the top requests we get from our customers is: "Do you guys or do you know of anyone that offers training?"

They just want to know basic stuff, how to use their computer, how to copy files, create folders, etc really basic stuff.

Our business doesn't have the space or the resources to make this happen. But it would be simple to do and something that high school kids could pull off with a little investment of money.

You could check out an auditorium at a city library, they often have facilities for such things, including screens and projectors. You could hook a laptop up to it and do your demonstrations there.

Q&A's, how to, basic stuff. May have to pay a few bucks to use the facilities, but long as you balance the costs:profit, shouldn't be a big dent.

What kind of customers can you expect? The older generation, elderly retired people are new to computers still, they don't learn quickly, have surplus income to spend and have the time and interest to attend such a training class on general computer use.

They're really into geneology and email correspondance. Little else, so although it's not the best use of your tallents, it should be rewarding finacially and equally rewarding improving some old farts quality of life.

How to get the word out. Basic cheap marketing that targets your market. The Newspaper, they're one of the few audiences that still read it. Cheap too. Putting flyers up at senior centers, veterans hospitals, etc. anywhere old people hang out. Charge a minimal fee at first, just to gauge what your expected turn-out will be, jack the price up a bit afterwards once the word-of-mouth starts within their communities.

Should work out well, I do this stuff on the side on a one-on-one basis (since I have a car) and the money is pretty good. I usually charge $175 an hour, but if you're going to have more bodies in an auditorium, shoot for 30$ a person, something basic that everyone can afford.

Good luck, better than working at McDonalds all Summer (although working there would really give you a reason to go to college).

Don't waste your time trying this.

[HotNeedleOfInquiry]

I am a small company and I need 500 cables made once in awhile. Do you know how many ways 500 cables can be fucked up? I've got a pretty good idea. I already have a cheap Pakistani cable builder and a cheap Asian board builder. They screw up once in awhile, but they fix their screwups real fast as their house payments depend on keeping me happy.

I would not trust my 500 cables to a couple of kids that have nothing other than beer money to loose.

Re:Have you considered mowing grass?

[cybermace5]

I'll add a little to this. Use lawnmowing as a starting base. You'll build up a few customer relationships. Then, write up a snazzy brochure illustrating some of the other skills you have, for example painting, computer support or even building new systems, house watching, etc. I made lots of good money between the ages of 12 and 18 by painting things. I even painted the entire exterior of a house once. I also did some minor computer support, but there just weren't as many computers around then...plus they were a lot more stable and spyware/adware/virus-free. As far as hardware jobs involving soldering go, there isn't a whole lot you can do. Maybe get away from the soldering, and install home networks? Read up on data wiring codes (basically, don't run bare data wires through HVAC ducts) and peddle your service. You might be surprised how many people want a network, but would rather let some scrawny highschoolers muck around in the crawlspaces.

Re:There's little money left in comp industry..

[SeinJunkie]

Why did this not get modded up?

Excellent advice in response to the often seemingly bleak future of IT.

If I could add anything to this, it's that the industry has (obviously) totally changed since just 3 years ago. What appeared to be a "great field" to get into, is still a great field, but it's just not as easy as it once was. In reality, this is when it gets better.

Now, it's even more important to specialize than it was just a few years ago. Before, all of the skills that you mentioned you had were great, because they were pretty generic and you could just about fit anywhere. But you can't be the best at everything. Find something you really enjoy doing, learn everything you can about it through practice and experiments. Once you can prove to someone who knows something about your field that you're a viable investment, you'll be paid to prove it again and again.

I'm appalled...

[gregwbrooks]

... not at your question, but at some of these answers. Damn, what a cynical, pedantic bunch we can be at times!

OK, first things first: You should be commended for wanting to work and (lack of car, funds and details aside) for wanting to pursue an entrepreneurial path.

Some thoughts...

• Don't let the lack of a car get in your way. Become the Young Tech Whizzes Who Have To Have Their Clients Come Pick Them Up. Sound lame? It won't when the local paper or TV station picks it up and you've got lots of calls coming in.
• Consider putting both the money and yourself to work -- but on different things.A grand isn't huge, but it's enough to do a little dabbling in the stock market. Do some research, make some picks and then work your investments at night while you work a more boring day job.
• If you do go that route, don't turn up your nose at mass-market jobs like McDonald's.The goal when you're a teenager is to learn life skills, make a little money and ... that's about it. Laugh if you want, but you'll learn basics of working in an organization by doing a stint at McDonald's that you won't learn simply by going the entrepreneurial route. I'm all for building your own business -- I'm a PR consultant and help start-up endeavors all the time -- but it's the rare entrepreneur who didn't learn some of the ropes as an employee somewhere else.
• Related to above: You could always put the money to work in the stock market and then go get a kick-ass internship.
• Whatever you do, focus -- and focus hard -- on execution. Contrary to what other posters have said, million-dollar ideas are relatively easy to come by; it's execution that can make even a mediocre business plan highly profitable. Meet your deadlines. Make customers feel special. Feel shy or nervous around strangers and customers? Get over it or learn to hide it. You'll find that only about 5% of the people you ever work with do what they say they will do, and do it when they say they will do it; master this one simple thing, and you will be a standout no matter what your profession.

Windoze technical support

[anticypher]

I wish there were some students around here I could trust enough to pass off all the people who want me to install a virus checker on their win98 boxes.

Get some practice with the main virus scanning tools, anti-spyware cleaners, and other basic windoze utilities. Learn how each version of windoze does things like dial-up, and how the local cable or ADSL provider like user machines to be set up. Then print up some nice flyers and go around to all the computer stores in town and ask them if they'll promote your "summer job" business of doing all the crap work helping (l)users set up their systems and get on the internet.

Draw up a list of jobs you will do, a time estimate for each one, and the price you will charge for each job. Something like installing Norton Anti-Virus should take about an hour, and you should charge something around US$10 or $15. Installing a free firewall, with basic configuration should cost $10. Helping with an ADSL installation maybe $20.

Make sure you are up front that the person with the machine is going to be buying the software, like a commercial virus checker, and your fee will be on top of that. Add $5 if you are the one to run to the store and buy the software for them. Don't get tempted to try pirating commercial software, enough people will then be wary of you, and the recommendations will fall off. Make sure you explain how some of the software is free for personal use, like AdAware and ZoneAlarm, but some effective virus scanners cost $40 or $90.

Have your own collection of freeware utilities, on both a USB key and a CD, and maybe even a floppy with necessary drivers. You would be surprised how many old machines are out there still running win98 or NT, and don't have USB ports or a working CD drive. The owners don't care, since they have 33.6k dialup, AOL, and Word97. They don't really need much else, but the trojans and email virii are hurting their systems and they need somebody cheap to help them out, and the computer shops tend to want to charge large amounts per hour for basic installations.

By the end of the summer, you will have learned you never want to work in technical support again, and you will probably blow your hard earned cash on a high powered rifle and a case of hunting ammo.

the AC

Re:Easy

[FLOOBYDUST]

Three (outsourcing proof) jobs that will give you skills to last a lifetime....
1. Electricians helper.
Find a local guy in the neighborhood who has a sign plastered on his truck, work cheap, watch and learn...return on investement 3,000%
2. Plumbers helper;It may be stinky but they make good $$$$
3. Carpenters helper...See # 1 above
Why no Computer ideas?
easy
1) you are no Bill Gates or Michael Dell. They never asked a bunch of timewasting web browsers for job advice, they just did it. Same with Steve Jobs
2) Those three jobs will teach you the meaning of the word work... a very important thing to know.

3) you may develop a life long part time career

Learn the value of work first...

[pnutjam]

This is my recommendation for all high school and college students. Spend at least a couple weeks working for Labor Ready [laborready.com]or some similar work today paid today temp agency.

Since you get paid at the end of the day and the jobs are very menial and degrading these types of places attract many drunks, ex-cons, and drug abusers. They're generally nice enough people who have made terrible decisions and can't get a regular job. They're often continueing to make terrible decisions.

Spend afew days observing the lives these people have built for themselves and you will get a real understanding of the wonders your parents have handed you.

Nothing builds work ethic like seeing the mess that can happen if somebody doesn't have one. Labor ready is the real man's Americorps.

Am a HS student doing exactly that

[1eyedhive]

I started out back when I was 14, doing spot tutoring jobs for $10 an hour here and there for old people, it wasn't glamorous, nor profitable, my parents carted me around, but it laid the foundation. After middle school, i snagged a job as a lab assistant at a local college annex, 3 hours every saturday @ $9.25 an hour, i was originally promised $7 :) After two years, I had snagged a few key clients whomI tutored at their homes, and started fixing their boxes in the process. This became far more profitable than tutoring/training. When I was laid off from that job (they closed the lab). I was 16, and convinced my dad to help me start my own business, he'd been running his own for 3 years so he knew what was involved.) I started a corporation at 16, using it to get around the lack of majority (I did all the work, held all the shares with my dad as the CEO), the process was expensive, and i did get a few boxes for myself out of it. In any case, after I turned 18 last may, i closed down the now unnecessary coroporation and am operating on my own. during the two years as a corp, i established many clients, about a dozen or so in the first year who referred me to others, including one major corporation who uses me as an on-site tech guy for their offices in Sarasota and St. Petersburg (the tech guys are based in NY and PC Anywhere only does so much). Nowadays, I get about 5 hours of onsite and/or bench work a month @ $40 an hour. My website's been spotty for months now, most of my referrals are by word of mouth, it helps that my dad gives a little sales pitch to nearly every client of his (he does remote mortgage/refi closings and goes all over) Best advice I can give someone in your position is to get the word out, business cards, friends, parents, etc. Even if you don't have a car you can still get rides if you're nice enough. Polo shirts, slacks and a good pair of shoes are a must, start out small, get in the door by tutoring them (MS word, IE, outlook, the like), $20 or so an hour, work your way up from there, once you're in the door start fixing boxen. There isn't a single box in a client's home that doesnt need something fixed. Good luck.

Networking.

[oneiros27]

You're about to leave the last free school you're going to get, most likely. [Unless it's offered as a benefit as a future employer]

And then you get to the paying for education, and then the trying to pay off student loans, and find someone to give you money for your time.

Although it sounds like a good idea to try to make money now, you may actually want to look at things that might help you to make more money later. So pick what you like to do, and go talk to people who work for companies that work in the field, or have jobs of the type that you want. You probably won't get to do it, but it doesn't mean that you can't get an internship, and learn something.

Hell, it might be that all you learn is that you really hate the field, and that's the best thing that you can learn early. You might learn that you don't want to work for that type of company.

But you also start building your resume, and gaining experience. You meet people, who can tell you later in life when there's a position that you might be interested in. And you have so many more people whom you can use as references for that first real paying job.

As for transportation -- public transit. It's not glamorous, but the bus is your friend. Or, look for stuff within walking/bike distance. Hell, even a public library or local government might be willing to take you in, if you're interested in working there.

3 Months

[splattertrousers]

Figure out where all the APOTAS* are and learn how to meet** them. Spending a summer doing that will be far more rewarding than any crappy business you can put together in 3 months.

* APOTAS == attractive people of the appropriate sex :)

** meet == screw :) :)

set up PVRs

[DrEasy]

Recycle old PCs into PVRs! Install MythTV, the right hardware, charge for an arm and a leg and you're cooking! Minimal investment, a bit of tinkering, and a lot of fun too! Start with family and neighbours, and the word of mouth should spread quickly. The uninitiated will be impressed.

Re:First things that come to mind...

[rimu guy]

Please don't start up a hosting company.

Many, many students do this at the start of each summer break. They flood the market with $1/month hosting plans offer GB of disk space and bandwidth trying to recoup the $20/month reseller account they're running.

Then when the break is over and they're back at school suddendly they have no way to support those $1/month customers. (Who incidentally want 24/7 support regardless of what they are paying).

On the other hand, web design for companies or web coding would be a great idea. Sink your teeth into an interesting project for 6 weeks and have something to be proud of.

- Linux VPS Hosting [rimuhosting.com]

Go to work

[lewp]

Most any business you're going to be able to start is going to have startup costs equal to or greater than what you'll make over a summer. Not only that, but running your own business generally means you're going to work your ever-loving asses off.

Unless you're dead set against it, why not just get a bullshit food service or retail job? Remember, you're in high school. This is the summer. One of the last ones you're going to get.

Think of it like this:

• If you're only going to pursue this for the summer, you're likely to make more money working for someone else rather than trying to get a business of the ground.
• You'll learn what it's like to work for someone else. If you don't like it, it'll make you that much more motivated to come up with a viable business idea. A "bad" job increases this effect over the typical $10-12/hr high school kid IT job. At the absolute very least you'll figure out why you don't want to wash dishes for the rest of your life and it'll motivate you to study and/or work harder after school.
• Everyone can get one of these jobs. If you're dealing with summer, you've only got twelve weeks. You can get one of these jobs in one day if you can speak passable english. In the process you'll get some great zero-pressure interview experience. Remember, the interviewer is likely to be fucking ecstatic that a clean, bright teenager is applying.
• Cute girls get lame part time jobs in retail and food service. If you don't already have tons of these hanging around (you're reading Slashdot, sue me for assuming), don't underestimate the value of being side-by-side with actual ladies every day for three months. You'd be surprised how crappy labor != bad job when you've got a hottie to admire while you do it. Couple this with the fact that low-wage coworkers tend to bond together quickly and tightly, and you've got a recipe for success.

I was blessed with amazing jobs I got through family contacts my last two years of high school, but I worked in a grocery store my sophomore year. It didn't really teach me anything, and the pay was right around minimum wage, but I also got invited to some pretty cool parties I would have missed if I didn't know my coworkers. I was actually rather sad when school started again and my extracurricular commitments forced me to quit.

Hell, to this day I'm thankful for that job. The people I worked with there are, by a wide margin, the largest group of people who didn't leave town after graduation. Gives me people to hang out with when I have to go home to visit the parents.

I work in IT, and make a pretty damn good living now with great job security, but I still look back on wasted high school summers fondly. Unless you are the type who is just miserable in high school, then maybe you would too.

enjoy your summer

[ajw1976]

You're just a kid. Enjoy your summer. The time of few responsibilities will soon pass away as you enter adulthood.

Re:Go to work

[Glonoinha]

There is exactly one job where women line up all day every day, one every three minutes or so, give you their undivided attention, describe their home life, eating and spending habits, then hand you a piece of paper with their real name, home address, phone number, and picture id to verify that they are over 18. Grocery cashier.

I spent 5 years (my last year in HS, and all through college) working at the big grocery store in my little college town and although the pay wasn't great I scored one quality contact a week, and got laid more than I will ever admit.

The only way to increase your odds over that is to be a bartender, but good luck getting that job (esp when you are 18.)