Coming up with a business idea while you’re still at high school might seem like a bit of a stretch, but over a million Australians were self-employed in 2022, and they all started somewhere. If your venture is successful, you never know where it could all end, but one thing is for sure – you’ll definitely learn a lot along the way. So, if you’d like to earn a bit of extra cash, start saving for your future goals, or dream about becoming a business guru, we’ve come up with a few ideas that could work for you (or at least spark your creativity).
Keep your business idea simple and safe
Before you race off and get started, spend a while considering your business plan. Do some research into the potential demand for your goods or services, ask for advice and input from other people, and check out competitors as well.
Pare back if necessary – keep your idea as basic as possible. You can always build on your business and expand later on. Try to reduce your risks so you don’t end up wasting your time or money.
Small business ideas and inspiration to consider
Lots of goods and services are more in-demand than ever, and you could come up with a genius new way to appeal to lots of people and start making money quickly. Here are some business ideas you can still do while at high school:
Get creative
Make handmade items then sell them online, through local social media groups, or sign up to sites like Etsy. As well as traditional goods, you could create custom portraits of people or pets, create bespoke artwork, posters, illustrations, murals and more.
Sell your skills
Sign up with freelancing marketplaces such as Fiverr, Airtasker, Upwork, Guru, or Design Crowd if you have a particular set of skills you can use to help other people. Offer to tutor other students, either in person or online, if you’re doing great in a particular subject.
Get handy around the home
There are lots of odd jobs people need done around the house that they are willing to pay someone else to do. You could do car washing and detailing, lawn mowing and weeding, simple repairs and DIY jobs, bin cleaning, or looking after plants and pets for people while they’re on holiday.
Be a content creator
Nowadays, there are heaps of avenues for making money on the internet. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and produce your own podcasts or YouTube videos, start a TikTok channel, or even become a blogger.
Create culinary delights
If you’re great in the kitchen, consider baking delicious treats to sell to friends and family or at community markets. You could also make picnic or gift hampers, start a meal delivery service, or teach others how to make delicious and nutritious meals.
Leverage your tech knowledge
Got technical skills and a fantastic idea? Use them to create an app, develop a game, or design a website. You could even provide technical support for people who need to set up IT systems or an online presence for their business.
Get sporty
Love being active and staying fit? You could offer personal training or group fitness services, start an inspo Instagram, or help to run sporting and fitness events in your community.
Don’t overcommit yourself
Before you start, you’ll need to figure out how much time you can commit without interfering with other aspects of your life that are important too – especially school work and sleep. Remember to always make sure you can meet your business obligations so you don’t let customers down. A good reputation is really important in helping you keep and grow your customer base.
Find out more
If you’re feeling inspired, you can find more business ideas and information for high school students about work on our website here.