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Season’s Greenings

By Patty Mayeux

Many parents may be dreading the frenetic pace of the upcoming winter holidays, but we have some suggestions to help turn the season of frenzy into the season of enterprise.

Parents can help their industrious youngsters learn what entrepreneurship is all about by taking advantage of temporary demands for holiday products or services. The extra cash can be used for holiday shopping, or saved for something special.

Although holiday ventures are temporary, some may develop into year-round projects. When Tim Thorpe, of LaFayette, NY, was 10 years old, he began growing pumpkins in a three-acre patch of his family’s garden. That was several years ago and last year, “Tim’s Big Pumpkin Patch” sold around 4,000 pumpkins from his roadside stand. Tim saves most of his profits for college, but retains some of the cash for spending money or to reinvest in his farm.

Not all holiday moneymaking schemes will be on such a grand scale, but no matter how little start-up cash or time you and your child may have, there is a seasonal market that is ripe for whatever project fits your individual situation. Help your child choose a venture that matches his or her level of maturity. An older teen may be ready for a business that involves managing inventory and hiring assistants. A younger child may need help making and selling a simple craft.

Here are a few suggestions for getting down to business with your youngster. The list is only limited by your imagination, there are many ways your young entrepreneur can create and deliver products or services that will meet a need in your community and make extra money along the way.

Tips for your mini-moguls

Make a list of supplies needed and estimate start-up costs. Next, think of who your customers will be and estimate total sales. Decide when your business will begin and end.
Select a price that allows you to make money yet still be competitive. Charge more for special services, or customized products that take more time or require more expensive materials.
Provide good customer service by meeting deadlines and filling orders as quickly as possible and you will be able to take last-minute requests that are sure to come during the hustle and bustle of the season.
If you are providing a service, be sure that you understand exactly what your customer wants. A “contract” that both you and your customer sign will help prevent misunderstandings.
Specialize in one or two services or products to begin with. Make samples and personalize orders if possible.
Advertise your business with flyers and ask family members, friends and customers to spread the word about your new venture. Visit small businesses in your area and tell them about your product.
Ask for permission before placing flyers on bulletin boards or in parking lots, making sure they will not “fly” away, creating an unsightly mess and a bad impression.
Turn holiday customers in to year-round customers by offering a variety of services or products at different times of the year. Keep a list of customers that includes their name, address, phone number, product purchased and comments.
Concentrate on specialty products or services that are not being offered in your area. Customers may be willing to pay a little bit extra if they can buy a customized or unusual item from you.
Convenience is an important consideration because the demands of the holiday season may have some people feeling a bit frazzled. Think of a service that you could offer and watch your holiday cash fund grow.

Winter Businesses

Holiday decorations

o Make home decorations that celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Get started early to increase sales.

Provide a service to families that do not have the time, or are not able to put up outside decorations such as lights or banners.

Gift Wrapping

Make samples of gifts wrapped in a variety of designs.
Be prepared to be very busy during the holiday rush.

Cookie Baking

Sell one or two of your favorite baked creations at skating rinks or winter flea markets.
Wrap some in decorative cellophane to sell as gifts.
Bake ahead and freeze several batches for rush orders.

House Cleaning

Offer to do light or heavy house cleaning, inside or out.
Remind customers that by hiring you to do these chores, they will have more time for shopping, baking or visiting with family and friends.

Hot Drink Stand

Sell hot beverages or even soup in Styrofoam cups from a wagon or trailer.
Outdoor events provide perfect opportunities for your customers to “warm up” to your business.

Party Assistant

Help your customer host events such as family get-togethers or holiday dinners by offering to shop, clean, decorate, help in the kitchen, greet guests, serve food, or entertain small children.
Guests from a successful party will be calling you to help them with their own special events.

Holiday Crafts

Visit your local craft store for ideas and supplies to get you started.
Make small gift items to sell for less than $5.

Use household supplies instead of store-bought materials, if possible. For example, juice containers or muffin tins make perfect candle molds.
Create instant sales by taking your products everywhere in a tote bag or backpack. Watch your sales and your savings grow!

Resources:

Fast Cash for Kids
By Bonnie and Noel Drew
Career Press, 1995