Micro Business for Teens: A Review

Will there be employment for our children when they are old enough to work? Even if there is, will something suitable for them be available? Perhaps... perhaps they will need to create employment for themselves. One of the most impacting things in life is the ability for individuals to be productive according to their individuality. I'm thankful that there is Starting a Micro Business, Running a Micro Business, and Micro Business for Teens Workbook by Micro Business for Teens to help young adults consider what it is to be an entrepreneur.

These are books that we received as a part of the TOS Crew in exchange for my honest review. And they have arrived just in time to walk our young adults/ teenagers through the process of starting their own micro businesses for summer.

About Micro Business for Teens

Carol Topp is a CPA and the owner/authoress of Micro Business for Teens. She got started with helping young adults when she received calls from parents asking tax questions for their kids who were starting up their own businesses. In her efforts to help, she researched information to pass on to the parents. However, there wasn't anything sufficient available to advise young adults for the level of business they wanted to manage. Thus, Carol Topp put her wisdom and experience into action and has formed the Micro Business for Teens series!

These books are geared for children ages 10 years to 18 years. Scientist and Artsy Girl are the ones who participated in this. The books are easy to read and follow so, they were able to do most of the work on their own. They did need help with research in some areas for what they are considering to do, so Cool Daddy and I did step in to help them with that.

How We Used Micro Business for Teens in our Homeschool

Before Scientist and Artsy Girl dove into the books (they are eager to get started with their own micro businesses!), we watched a video of Carol Topp sharing success stories that some young adults have had with their micro businesses ideas. While not all micro businesses will meet the same levels of success, young adults are encouraged to consider what is successful for them individually. 

Carol Topp gives excellent advice such as: considering the time to invest in a business; the benefits of being a sole proprietor; the business should be flexible; and to focus on the educational experience running a micro business affords. These are just a few of the topics she covers and each chapter in her books are essential to aiding young adults reach their goals.

Starting a Micro Business takes young adults step by step through the process of... starting one up. The main topics in this book are: 

• Chapter 1: What is a Micro Business?
• Chapter 2: Getting an Idea: A Collection of Micro Business Ideas Best for Teens
• Chapter 3: Problems and Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
• Chapter 4: Plan it First: Writing a Business Plan
• Chapter 5: Financing Your Business Without Breaking the Bank
• Chapter 6: Taking Care of Business: Extra Information to Get You Started
• Chapter 7: Encouragement: Final Words to Motivate You

The next book is, Running a Micro Business. Once they have their game plan down for how they want to earn money, they get to learn about and prepare to implement:

• Chapter 1: Sales
• Chapter 2: Marketing
• Chapter 3: Customer Service
• Chapter 4: Record Keeping
• Chapter 5: Bookkeeping Basics
• Chapter 6: Using Software
• Chapter 7: Legal Names and Numbers
• Chapter 8: Reducing Risk
• Chapter 9: Time Management

The Micro Business for Teens Workbook consists of corresponding worksheets for each book. The forms cover:

• Evaluate your goals
• Write a business plan
• Examine potential problems before they sink your business
• Learn how to set a price
• Make a plan to start with very little money
• Create a sales presentation
• Design a flier, business card and website
• Implement customer service strategies
• Structure a record keeping system
• Learn a simple bookkeeping system
• Manage your time

 What I Like About Micro Business for Teens:

• Carol Topp encourages young adults to consider their gifts, talents and interests.
• The books are not dumbed-down. Carol Topp speaks intelligently to young adults.
• The information is easy to understand. 
• Visual aids are included.
• The materials are concise!
• Carol Topp (among some other adults) grasps the value that young adults have to offer. This series helps young adults to take action steps for being proactive before much of society deems them able to. It helps them to be productive with their time and lives!

Artsy Girl's Opinion:

"I like how Carol Topp uses simple methods to teach us. The format to create a business plan is easy to use.

"A few things I have learned are that it's important not to have business partners; it's important to have new customers pay in person so that they don't end up backing out of paying; and it's important to have a business plan in order to help me have a successful business. The most important of all, do not take out loans!"

Where Scientist and Artsy Girl are at With Their Micro Businesses

Under Carol Topp's mentorship via this book series, both Scientist and Artsy Girl have their own micro business ideas for the summer and are in different stages of writing out their business plans. We'll see where things go for them! 

 

How Much Micro Business for Teens Materials Cost

Starting a Micro Business for Teens: Paperback $9.95 and the Ebook is $4.95.

Running a Micro Business for Teens: Paperback $9.95 and the Ebook is $4.95.

Micro Business for Teens Workbook: Paperback $14.95 and the Ebook is $9.95

Connect with Micro Business for Teens

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MicroBusinessForTeens?ref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolTopp

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caroltopp/  


For more reviews on what TOS Crew members think about Micro Business for Teens, click on the graphic below:

Blessings!