Introduction: A game changer for entrepreneurs

Few things fuel my passion more than talking about entrepreneurial pursuits especially as homeschooling mom whose kids have so much opportunity to find what they love. I’ve been entrepreneurially minded as long as I can remember but what I’m most excited about for our kids is that the internet is a complete game-changer for the entrepreneur.

College is increasingly becoming a less popular choice & I’m helping my kids look at all the possibilities available to them outside of that path. For a while, I’ve been saying I think the college degree is overrated.

I honestly think as homeschooling parents in this age, the best we can do for our kids is equip them with the knowledge & extensive possibilities to create their own businesses. And now more than ever, there is so much out there to learn!

Current trends

I found one compelling statistic: as of 2021, approximately 50% of all entrepreneurs are under the age of 35, according to a survey by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. This reflects a significant trend among younger generations, particularly in the online space, where the accessibility of digital tools and platforms has enabled them to start businesses more easily than ever before. Moreover, around 70% of young entrepreneurs reported that they believe that technology has lowered the barriers to entry for starting a business, highlighting the transformative impact of the internet and digital resources on entrepreneurship.

What types of businesses are available online

Just take a look at some of the options suited for the younger generation who want to start an online business:

1. Drop shipping Business: Start an e-commerce store without holding inventory. You can sell trending products while a third-party supplier handles inventory and shipping.
2. Print on Demand: Create custom designs for apparel, accessories, or home goods, and use print-on-demand services to fulfill orders.
3. Social Media Management: Offer your services to manage social media accounts for local businesses or influencers, helping them grow their online presence.
4. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services through affiliate links on your blog or social media. Earn commissions for every sale generated through your referrals.
5. Digital Marketing Agency: Provide services like SEO, content marketing, and PPC advertising to help businesses grow their online visibility.
6. Blogging or Vlogging: Start a blog or YouTube channel focused on a niche you’re passionate about and monetize through ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing.
7. Online Course Creation: Develop and sell online courses based on your expertise or interests using platforms like Udemy or Teachable.
8. Digital Course Master Resell Rights: A licensing arrangement that allows you to purchase a digital course and then resell it to others, keeping 100% of the profits, while also granting your customers the right to resell the course, creating an attractive income stream without the need to create a product.
9. Freelance Services: Offer skills like graphic design, writing, programming, or video editing on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer.
10. Virtual Assistant: Help businesses with administrative tasks remotely, such as email management, scheduling, and customer service.
11. Subscription Box Service: Curate and sell unique products in a subscription format, catering to specific interests or hobbies.
12. Mobile App Development: If you have coding skills, create and sell mobile apps or games, or offer app development services to others.
13. E-book Publishing: Write and self-publish e-books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, focusing on topics you’re knowledgeable about.
14. Online Tutoring or Coaching: Leverage your academic knowledge or life coaching skills to offer tutoring or coaching services via video calls.
15. Stock Photography: Sell your photos online through stock photography websites, capturing high-demand topics like travel, food, and lifestyle.
16. Handmade Goods Business: Create and sell handmade products, crafts, or art through platforms like Etsy.
17. Gaming Content Creation: Stream or create video content around gaming, monetizing through platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
18. Niche Subscription Newsletters: Develop a newsletter focused on a specific topic and charge subscribers for premium content.
19. SEO Consultation: Help businesses improve their search engine rankings through keyword analysis and website optimization.
20. Remote Customer Service: Work as a remote customer service representative for companies, providing assistance via chat or phone.

 

The Landscape of Entrepreneurship for Kids

• Internet Advantage

Before the internet, businesses were often limited to brick and mortar, limiting your customer pool. 

Now we have global storefronts which can 10x a businesses profits!

• Importance of Skills: Whether our kids demonstrate creativity & want to create products to sell online, or whether they possess more administrative skills & are interested in something like virtual assistants or media management, there are tools to help them get started & thrive. The power of AI alone has proven to be an invaluable tool, no matter the niche.

 

Understanding Digital Marketing

• Definition: Digital marketing is probably my favorite of all the online business types so I wanted to highlight this strategy (not to mention there are too many to dissect in one article!)
• Digital marketing is all about promoting products or services online using various channels like social media, email, search engines, and websites. Think of it as the modern way to reach customers where they spend a lot of their time—online!
• It includes everything from posting eye-catching content on Instagram to running ads that appear when someone searches for something on Google. The goal is to connect with people, engage them with helpful information or fun promotions, and ultimately encourage them to make a purchase or sign up for a service. It’s a super flexible and creative way to grow a business!
• Homeschool kids: I love this ideas for homeschooling kids because they have so much time on their hands to research & pick and promote their products.

Benefits of an Online Digital Marketing Course

Last year I created my homeschooling course. Talk about a lesson in business, marketing & technology!

In my opinion, having our kids walk through the creation of a product/process is THE best way to learn about business, even if they apply the skills in another area one day.

It can also be done with little start up costs and potentially earn them income.

Benefits include these skill developments:

• Learning critical digital marketing skills (SEO, social media strategy, content creation, etc.).
• Encouraging creativity and critical thinking.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset:
• Fostering a growth mindset and resilience.
• Teaching kids to analyze and adapt strategies in real-time.
• Networking Opportunities:
• Connecting with like-minded peers and mentors.
• Building a professional network early on.

Choosing the Right Digital Product

And what digital products could our kids create to resell? There are so many! Here’s a list:

1. **E-books** – Write about topics of interest, self-help guides, or creative stories.
2. **Online Courses** – Teach a skill or subject you’re knowledgeable about, like coding, photography, or cooking.
3. **Printables** – Design planners, calendars, art prints, or educational worksheets that people can download and print.
4. **Graphic Design Templates** – Create templates for social media posts, presentations, or resumes.
5. **Music or Beats** – Produce original music tracks or beats for aspiring artists.
6. **Photography** – Sell stock photos or presets for photo editing software.
7. **Digital Art** – Create and sell digital illustrations, wallpapers, or designs.
8. **Webinars** – Host live online seminars or workshops on a specific topic.
9. **Membership Sites** – Offer exclusive content, resources, or community access for a monthly fee.
10. **Mobile Apps** – Develop simple apps or games that solve a problem or provide entertainment.
11. **Podcast** – Start a podcast on an engaging topic, and monetize it through sponsorships or listener support.
12. **Social Media Content Packages** – Create ready-to-use content for businesses, such as posts, stories, or videos.
13. **Subscription Newsletters** – Curate and send valuable content on a regular basis, charging a subscription fee.
14. **Online Coaching or Consulting** – Provide one-on-one guidance in areas such as fitness, career advice, or academic tutoring.
15. **Stock Videos** – Create and sell short video clips for others to use in their projects.

Conclusion:

Helping and encouraging our kids to explore the online possibilities for home-based businesses is one of the best parts of education we could give them. You may consider making it a required part of their homeschool day!

Because no matter what their future, learning these skills will set them apart and give them a business advantage in any field!