In the midst of these uncertain economic times, research shows that a growing number of teens are considering entrepreneurship as a viable option to make extra money over the summer.Teens are looking for summer employment and with the lay-offs that we have seen with adult employees, teens are not getting the responses that they would have hoped for. When you are faced with so many ‘no’s, it’s easy to just call it quits and hang out for the summer.The challenge is not just that teens are unable to get summer employment but now some parents can no longer provide money for extra-curricular activities.When asked, one parent stated that their “whole household is making cutbacks to save money”, so naturally extra-curricular activities and some luxuries will not be an option for some.Some teens will still expect to get what they ask for even though they are aware of the challenges their parents face. Well, to those teens out there, I say ‘get a job or make one’. Some teens are doing just that and making a way through entrepreneurship.There was a young boy who packs my groceries at White’s Grocery Store and I noticed that he was not wearing a uniform. When asked he said that he packs groceries because he wants to have his own money.I see him as an independent consultant hiring out his packing services for cash. I recall my cousin telling me that when he was 10 years old he made $300 in tips a week packing groceries, working 4 days a week. That was six years ago. With inflation imagine what he could make now.Some teens may have hobbies that they can turn into a lucrative business, whether it be, babysitting, handing out flyers or cutting grass on the weekends.In a 2009 article by Sue Shellenbarger of the Wall Street Journal, Steven Crandall, an 18-year-old high-school senior in, Texas is highlighted.“Steven started a lawn-mowing business with his younger brother three years ago by offering to tend three neighbours’ lawns. Today, the Crandall boys have expanded to 35 clients. Steven is even creating jobs for his friends; he has signed on six of his buddies at $15 an hour to help out and another six have applied.“One of the coolest things” about being an entrepreneur, Steven says, “is the satisfaction of being able to help out so many guys who do need money.The business earned Steven $14,000 last year, enabling him to make payments to his parents for the used truck they bought for him ...”Besides interfering with extra-curricular activities, there are some other issues that teens will have to consider when starting a business like start up expenses for materials, flyers, and proper licensing depending on what is being sold.To address some of these issues, parents can act as financier providing a loan, complete with signed contract, to get the business started. In addition there are resources that can be used to further the business. For example, BSBDC’s Rubber Tree Market in Warwick.Currently there is a small fee to take part in the market and this location can serve as an excellent way to get your product to the public (for more information on the Rubber Tree Market visit www.bsbdc.bm or call 292-5570).The beauty of tackling entrepreneurship while still young is that you have less to loose. As one teen so aptly put it she doesn’t “have to think about where her next meal will come from”.Successful tips from entrepreneurial teens:l Look around your community for unmet needs, such as lawn mowing, child care, swimming or dance lessons or hauling away paint cans or other waste for homeowners.l Seek out a low-cost niche; one teen made $300 last summer washing his neighbours’ windows more cheaply than commercial services.l Find something you love. A Miami teen who loves to bake made $6,000 last year making and selling a decorative cupcake-on-a-stick.Some examples of summer businesses that could work in Bermuda could include:l Snowball sellerl Lawn cutting servicel Grocery packerl Babysitterl Summer camp for young childrenl Cleaning servicel Painting servicel Personal assistantl Freelance photographerFor more information on ideas for starting a summer business contact BSBDC at 292-5570 or search the following websites: National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, www.nfte.com or FutureCEOStars, www.fcsmag.comJamillah Lodge is a business development officer for Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation. She specialises in providing aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with business development advice and loan guarantee assistance. In addition, she manages the marketing and communications plan for the Corporation and oversees the development of a mentorship and youth entrepreneurship programme. She has a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and should serve a general guide and should not be considered as replacement advice from a lawyer, accountant or other professional service provider. Readers should consult with the appropriate professionals as necessary.If you have questions about starting a business in Bermuda, just ask BSBDC: E-mail us at info@bsbdc.bm or call 292-5570.