Welcome to Starting a Micro Business, Our How to Become a Teenage Entrepreneur Course

Getting Started with Starting a Micro Business, Our How to Become a Teenage Entrepreneur Course

Starting a Micro Business, a “How to Become a Teenage Entrepreneur” course, as taught by Carol Topp, is designed to help homeschool teens learn about the world of micro businesses—what they are and what they can learn from starting one. This elective course can help the middle school or high school student learn how to generate an idea that uses their talents and skills, narrow their idea into something that is possible for a micro business, and develop a business plan, including marketing and financial needs. Teens can discover what would be involved in starting a micro business and perhaps start one if this is the path that is best. These entrepreneurial lessons are best taken in sequential order as they progressively build on each other.  

Overview

• 8 weeks
• Includes text-based lessons, worksheets, and links to additional resources
• Grades 8th-12th

Supplies Needed

Corresponding lessons on SchoolhouseTeachers.com; journal for notetaking and research.

What to Do

Go to Class Lessons and download the lesson plan and lessons file. Start with the Day 1 reading assignment. Follow the instructions each day on the lesson plan and check them off when completed.

Course Sample for Starting a Micro Business, Our How to Become a Teenage Entrepreneur Course

Lesson One: What is a micro business and what can you learn from starting one?

Have you heard the term “micro business”? Probably not, but you can imagine what it means. It is a very small business—smaller than a small business. The Small Business Administration, a branch of the United States federal government, defines a small business as having up to 1,500 employees and annual income of $25 million, or more, in some cases. That’s not very small, in my opinion.

Micro Businesses Are Popular

Micro business may not be a familiar term, but micro businesses are very common. MicrobusinessStrategies.com reports that:

• 1 in 8 adults in America own a micro business (thousands of teenagers too!)
• 95 percent of all American businesses can be classified as micro businesses (fewer than 10 employees)
• 90 percent of businesses have fewer than five employees
• There are more than 25 million micro businesses in America
• At least 49 percent (more likely 56 percent) of all businesses are home-based

Characteristics of Micro Businesses

Micro businesses are quite different from small businesses in several ways

Simple and fast to start up

Only one worker, the owner

Usually home-based

Manageable

Little start-up money needed, or completely debt free

Teenagers love starting micro businesses because little to no initial money is needed. Starting a micro business should not mean taking on debt. Micros can be started with equipment the teenager already has at home, such as a computer, a kitchen stove, or a piano. Teenagers use knowledge they already possess, such as artistic talent or web design skills.

Here is a key principle:

Starting a micro business should not mean taking on debt.

To view a full sample of this course, click here.