7 Business Opportunities for High School Students

Starting your own business is a fantastic way to gain valuable skills, earn money and have lots of fun—even as a high school student! Not sure what kind of business to start? Don’t worry; this blog post has got you covered. Check out these creative and exciting business ideas, from landscaping and e-commerce to tutoring and photography, that any high schooler can try their hand at for an exciting entrepreneurial journey. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and make it happen!

7 Potential Businesses for High School Students

As a high school student, have you considered starting your own business? It allows you to add real-world skills to your resume and earn money. Whether saving for college or using your talents to positively impact the world, starting your own business builds a foundation for your future. 

Are you ready to shorten the distance between school books and hands-on skill-building? Check out these seven creative and exciting business ideas that showcase your initiative and leadership skills in a way that your report card simply can’t. 

• Lawn Care and Landscaping Services

If you love meeting and talking to people, consider offering lawn care and landscaping services in your local community. This low-risk and quick-start business only requires basic yard tools like a mower and an edger. 

To get started, advertise your services by putting up flyers with a QR code that links to your website in your neighborhood or posting on social media.

• Online Retail Business

Your creative side opens up plenty of opportunities for an after-school side gig. As a high school student, consider starting your own online store to sell a product or service that you are passionate about. This could be anything from handmade crafts or clothing to digital products like printable worksheets or templates. 

You can create a website or use an e-commerce platform like Etsy or eBay to sell your products. You can also use social media to share your creations, post DIY reels, and promote your business to reach a wider audience. 

• Tutoring and Academic Coaching

Are you a natural-born leader who loves kids but needs more of a challenge than babysitting? Consider offering one-on-one in-person or virtual tutoring or small-group academic coaching to fellow students to help them improve their grades and confidence.

Advertise your services by posting flyers in your school or local library, or use word-of-mouth marketing by reaching out to parents and teachers to let them know about your availability. 

• Social Media Management or Marketing

If you are a natural charmer who negotiates homework extensions and better grades, why not monetize your skills? Start by building an online community through blogging and live streaming. Then, use your marketing savvy to create a business that offers social media marketing and management services to businesses or individuals.

Create a pricing structure and draft a professional proposal outlining the details of your offer. Reach out to potential customers through networking events or online advertising platforms. Also, ensure that you keep up-to-date on the latest trends in social media marketing so that your services remain relevant.

• House Sitting

Offering your services as a house sitter is an excellent small business idea for teens between 16 and 18. In addition to occupying the house, watering plants, and collecting mail, a house sitter may provide light cleaning services like dusting, vacuuming, and pet sitting services.  

Focus your business marketing strategy on homes in your local area or neighbors who travel frequently. 

• Dog Walking

Starting a dog walking business can be a dream job for high schoolers. You get to spend plenty of time hanging out with cute puppies and operating your business around school hours, walking the dogs in the morning or afternoon. 

You may need to invest in a few dog walking essentials like a collapsible water bowl, poop bags, and dog treats. You should also check whether your local area requires dog walkers to have a license or be registered with an organization like the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. 

Most clients search for dog walkers and pet sitters online. So, you should spend time setting up a website and promoting your services on social media but don’t forget to hand out your business card to pet owners at the local dog park; word-of-mouth can be a valuable marketing tool, and you could capitalize on this by offering a referral program.

• Photography Business

Starting a photography service can be a great business idea if you own a high-quality DSLR camera and have some basic photography skills. It may require some upfront money because you’ll need various lenses, a tripod, a camera bag, and graphics design or photo editing software. Or you could follow what some of the most popular social media influencers do—use your iPhone. A combination of the iPhone’s editing software, popular apps, and tools on your computer can make an iPhone photo look just as stunning as a photo from a DSLR.

Start by taking photos of yourself, your friends and family (with their permission), and the local landscape. This can provide a great foundation for a portfolio you can share online with potential clients.   

Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey

Starting a business as a high school student can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By choosing a business idea that matches your interests and skills, you can set yourself up for success and positively impact your community.