Can you sell? If the answer isn't YES, then do not start a business yet. You will fail. I mean, the chance you will fail is higher than the chance you will succeed; however, that is not necessarily a deterrent because failure is a great teacher. Don't jump into anything without first understanding the fundamentals of salesmanship. Study the art and discipline of direct sales, on the phone, and via sales copy such as sales letters, emails, etc. Once you know how to sell, then you can sell almost anything. A low overhead starter could be selling information on topics that a) interest you and b) has an active market. You'll learn quickly (as you study sales) that your customer defines what product you sell or service you offer. You do not pick a product or service first. You pick a customer. In this way, you prevent your garage from filling with hundreds of useless things someone will never buy. More on reddit.com

Yes, I was in the exact same position as you but I just started at 15, with basic freelancing stuff like video editing and graphic design which today I am grateful for because it is a very nice skill to have. Then around 17 I started to get into ecom but I had no money so I did print-on-demand which I still do today because that’s practically passive income, just play around with different side hustles and see if it works and if you enjoy the process 💪🏽 More on reddit.com

$5k - Tree trimming/removal. Great margins. My initial investment was paid for after a few jobs. ***** Update ***** Background, I wanted a side gig last year that would provide enough income to purchase a sailboat, long time goal! I have some background in rock climbing so I was familiar with climbing and heights. I had no experience climbing trees and had never used a chain saw in my life or done tree work. I'll try to organize this... Equipment: Stihl MS 311 (used on the ground although I did take it up in a few trees for big cuts) Stihl MS 193 T (designed for one handed operation while up in the tree) Petal Advanced RAD kit - Used this for climbing up in the tree using SRT (single rope technique) Climbing harness, hardhat with visor, ear protection, climbing rope, anchor, lanyard, hand saw Legal/Regulatory: This depends on your area.. Some of the cities in my area require you to register as an independent contractor. Also, some cities require a permit to cut down a tree or trim a significant amount. Contact the city offices where you plan to provide services to find out if you need to register and if permits are needed. (Some people do not register or seek permits, just be prepared for any consequences if there are any and probably a good idea to know them ahead of time should you take that risk.) Insurance... For the places that require you to register as a contractor, they likely will require that you show proof of liability insurance. I never had insurance, I was very conservative with the jobs I took on, I wouldn't take on a job that I knew I couldn't do safely. Pricing: Before coming up with my method of providing quotes, I priced out competitors. My first few jobs, I provided low quotes just to get the jobs and some experience. Once I had a good grasp of how long a job would take me, I quoted using this formula: $50 per hour while working on the ground and $100 per hour while up in the tree. $50 travel time + ($50 x estimated ground hours) + ($100 x estimated climbing hours) = Quote Minimum $300 My focus was on tree removal only... Reason? I am not an arborist and did not portray myself as one. It is my belief that only certified arborists should be doing trimming or else you could damage/kill the tree. Even with only seeking out removal business, I had more business than I could handle. I was only doing this in the evening outside of my day job and on the weekends. Was common to make $600-$1k on a weekend. I did not offer haul away services. I either referred them to a biz that would haul it away or cut it to size for their trash service to pick it up. Long story short, it is dangerous work but very profitable in urban areas with enough business. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. More on reddit.com

It's fantastic that you're thinking about starting an online business at such a young age. Taking the initiative to earn your own money and gain entrepreneurial experience will definitely set you up for success in the future. There are plenty of online business ideas you could explore. Here are a few options to consider: Print-on-Demand: You could create unique designs and sell custom merchandise like T-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, and more. Platforms like Printful and Teespring make it easy to set up a store and handle the production and shipping for you. Dropshipping: This involves selling products through an online store without having to hold any inventory. You can find suppliers on platforms like AliExpress, and when a customer places an order, the supplier ships the product directly to the customer. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products from other companies and earn a commission on each sale you generate. You can join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates and share product recommendations through a blog or social media. Content Creation: Start a blog, YouTube channel, or podcast on a topic you're passionate about. As you grow your audience, you can monetize through ads, sponsorships, or selling your own products. Social Media Management: Offer your services to small businesses who need help managing their social media presence. This could involve creating content, scheduling posts, and engaging with followers. Remember, growing an online business requires time, effort, and dedication. Be prepared to learn about digital marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media promotion to maximize your reach. For example, you could look into services like Ascend Viral to help you grow your Instagram presence, which can be a great way to connect with potential customers and showcase your offerings. Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey, and I hope you find a business idea that resonates with you! More on reddit.com