Guest Article by Jenna Sherman

High school is a crucial part of your life. It is a period filled with achievements and major steps towards adulthood. A significant milestone you will encounter is reaching the age where you can drive and get a job. High school is also a crucial period for setting the ground for your future. You are busy developing your resume, participating in extracurriculars and focusing on getting good grades to ensure entry into a good college and raise your chances of receiving scholarship offers. Because of this, your time is limited, and a regular part-time position with restrictive hours may be more than you can balance with the rest of your obligations.

Starting a business is a good option because it provides a great deal of flexibility, allowing you to control your schedule. It also helps you develop vital money-management and problem-solving skills, and demonstrates to future employers and college recruiters that you are creative, responsible, hard-working, self-disciplined and determined. As a bonus, you can make money to put towards a college fund, a car or a down payment.

There are also numerous possibilities you can choose from, including babysitting, video editing, freelance writing, web design, commission art and pet-sitting. If you choose to go down the entrepreneurial route, certain best practices can help you achieve a successful launch.

One: Designate a Work Space

**Artwork by** **Susan Newberry Designs**

Research shows that having a space specifically dedicated to a given purpose can have a significant impact on your focus, productivity, and performance. As a teenager, you may not have the freedom or space to utilize a separate room for business purposes, but even a corner where you only do work can be beneficial.

If you need to meet with clients, presentability is key to making a good impression. Even if you don't foresee anyone else seeing the space, maintaining an organized, aesthetically pleasing and clutter-free zone can help with your mental state. Invest in unique wall art from Susan Newberry Designs or any other piece or decoration that makes you feel relaxed and focused. Purchase a comfy, ergonomic chair and add a touch of greenery with potted plants or window boxes. Succulents require less care than other plants and can be grown in neat terrariums.

Two: Select Something You Are Passionate About

Research shows that the right kind of passion can affect your persistence and performance. While passion is obviously not a guarantee of success, it gives you extra motivation to persevere when you hit rough patches. Don't pursue an idea solely for monetary reasons, and don't assume your business will explode overnight. It can happen, but it's better to set realistic goals and expectations.

Three: Maintain a Solid Social Media Presence

Social media is more than just a way to connect with friends. It is an effective marketing and branding tool. Identify your target audience. For example, if you're starting a tutoring business, it's students. If you're a babysitter, you want to market to parents, and so on. Do the research and develop a strategy to spread awareness to the desired people. Make connections with potential clients and customers.

Four: Gain Further Credentials After Graduation

After you gain your high school diploma, you can further develop your entrepreneurial skills through continued education. You don't have to attend a fancy university, either. Online colleges for business allow you to increase your knowledge through a variety of programs, including business management and marketing. The extra certification also adds to your credibility as a business owner.

Starting a business grants you the opportunity to gain valuable experience and qualifications. You can make money doing something you enjoy.

About the Author

Jenna Sherman hopes to help other parents acquire the skills they need to raise future leaders by providing a collection of valuable, up-to-date, authoritative resources. A mom of three (two girls and a boy) created parent-leaders.com as an avenue for parents who want to make sure their children grow up to be strong, independent, successful adults.

If you would like to write a guest article for Susan Newberry Designs, feel free to contact us.

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