Today I am reviewing
Micro Business for Teens. The books were titled
Starting a Micro Business,
Running a Micro Business and
Micro Business for Teens Workbook.
Kiddo #1 has expressed a great deal of interest the last year or so at someday operating his own business. When the opportunity arose for this review, I thought it would be perfect for him to be able to determine and decide if business ownership/operation would be something that he would seriously like to pursue. I think it is so important to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in our children.
I grew up in a small business. My parents owned and operated a mom and pop store for most of my life. We sold children's clothing. This was, of course, during a time where personal service meant something and shopping in a neighborhood store was cherished. This was before shopping malls, Walmarts, etc. We provided a welcoming and personal shopping experience. A child was measured, if necessary to determine size and we even offered free alterations. I grew up knowing how to be polite, greet customers and even how to sweep up, straighten shelves, manage and purchase inventory. I worked there after school and every summer (that was our busy time since we sold school uniforms) and even nights and weekends. We did it as a family. My parents worked together and I joined them. It gave them the flexibility to always attend a school play or church function, yet the hours were long and the work difficult. But, I think it was an amazing experience to have for almost 30 years of my life. I learned many important lessons. Although they sold the store and moved into the private sector for work, part of me always missed them having their own business and how much it blessed our family in our relationship together. Oh, I digress. ;-)
But, do I really digress? That spark of being a part of my family's business was re-ignited when my son expressed an interest in starting a business. I couldn't help but smile. Yes, it is hard work, but the rewards are many, and every.single.day is take your child to work day and that time together is precious. :-)
Since my son didn't grow up in a business like I did, he really benefitted from this program. By the time I was his age, I was assisting in inventory and able to make purchases from sales representatives. I knew how to cash out the register at the end of the evening. All of this is new to my son and this program was such a big help to him. It gives the teens ideas as to what areas of business might suit their interests and abilities. It even mentions which may be more successful in different areas of the country.
The creator of the program, Carol Topp, a CPA, wrote this program just for teens. It guides them through starting a small business while still having homework, family responsibilities, church and friends.
Kiddo #1 worked independently reading a chapter and then doing the assigned page(s) in his workbook. He said the books were engaging and easy to read and follow. He did about 2 chapters a week.
He was guided by the materials in the writing of his own marketing and financial plan. He also learned about customer service, record keeping and time management.
"What is a Micro Business?" you may ask. It is a
very small business, usually home-based and run solely by its owner. This is perfect for a teen and they could do a myriad of things including dog-sitting, baking, mowing lawns and more.
"Starting a Micro Business" is the first book my son read. The chapters were as follows:
- What is a Micro Business?
- Getting an Idea: A Collection of Micro Business Ideas Best for Teenagers
- Problems and Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Planning a Micro Business and Writing a Business Plan
- Financing your Micro Business without Breaking the Bank
- Taking Care of Business: Extra Information to get you Started
- Encouragement: Final Words to Motivate You
Once these ideas are had and fleshed out, the student moves on to the second book, "Running a Micro Business." this helps the teen bring their ideas into reality. The chapters are:
- Sales
- Marketing
- Customer Service
- Record Keeping
- Bookkeeping Basics
- Using Software
- Legal Names and Numbers
- Reducing Risk
- Time Management
The workbook is where Kiddo wrote down everything he had brainstormed in the first two books.
So far, he has several business ideas-- one is a joint baking venture with his sister and I. He has thought about making and selling cookie trays for special occasions and holidays. Another idea he has is mowing lawns this summer. He still is working on hashing out ideas regarding his real passion which is airplanes. He isn't sure how to translate that into a small-business for teens, but he is definitely talking about it and writing down ideas. He thought about having a small hobby shop, but he was warned by advice in the book, to be careful about investing in a large amount of inventory. It is definitely something to think about for his future, though! :-)
Kiddo especially liked that the books seemed like they were written to him, not condescending at all, and not to the younger child's "lemonade stand" business ideas. Carol really hit the mark here, writing a book to teens (that would certainly be helpful to their moms, as well!) that doesn't treat them like children.
The program has a suggested age range of 10-18 and is available in PDF form (this is what we received) for only $4.95 for each book and $9.95 for the workbook. It is also available in print form for only $9.95 for each book and $14.95 for the workbook.
If your teen thinks he/she may want to go into business as a career or even just as a teenager mowing lawns, this is a great program to get them really thinking and doing what is necessary to be successful.
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