{"id":1778,"date":"2008-12-16T16:52:50","date_gmt":"2008-12-16T16:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janice-campbell.com\/?p=108"},"modified":"2015-08-31T18:50:45","modified_gmt":"2015-08-31T18:50:45","slug":"a-microbusiness-can-help-with-college-expenses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doingwhatmatters.com\/a-microbusiness-can-help-with-college-expenses\/","title":{"rendered":"A Microbusiness Can Help With College Expenses"},"content":{"rendered":"

As most of you know, I have enjoyed several microbusinesses throughout my life, and I believe they can be great learning experiences for teens. With the economy in its present disturbed state, I believe that a microbusiness can be helpful to any family.<\/p>\n

What is a Microbusiness?<\/h4>\n

A microbusiness is a very small business that is created without a large investment of capital. Another way I like to describe it is “doing with your might what your hand finds to do” (from Ecclesiastes 9:10).<\/p>\n

A Few Ideas for Microbusinesses<\/h4>\n


\nIf you have extra produce from your garden<\/strong>, sell it. My first microbusiness was selling avocados from our tree. I would fill my little red wagon with avocados, priced according to size, and go around the neighborhood selling them, almost every weekend during avocado season. I averaged close to a $100 a year doing this, until I got too old to be seen in public with a red wagon!<\/p>\n

If you have a special skill<\/strong>, such as sewing, playing a musical instrument, writing college admissions essays, or grooming dogs, teach it. <\/strong>You can do this at home, your local parks and recreation department, a community college, or private studio. (Check zoning laws before deciding on a teaching location.)<\/p>\n

If you have a working lawnmower, tractor, or snowblower<\/strong>, learn to use it well, and offer your services to neighbors.<\/p>\n

If you do small handcrafts<\/strong>, create some to sell. Make sure that the product you want to offer is something that customers will want to buy. Not many people are interested in coffee-can-with-macaroni-glued-on pen holders, but you may find a ready market for beaded bracelets, embroidered baby bibs, or hand-painted greeting cards. Look at Etsy<\/a><\/strong> for ideas on the type of handcrafted items are available.<\/p>\n

Success Tips for Microbusiness<\/h4>\n

No matter what sort of microbusiness you choose, there are a few basic principles that must be in place. First, for any kind of business, you need to check the laws of your county<\/strong> to see if a license is needed. Second, you need to keep track of income and expenses<\/strong>. In addition to these fundamentals, here are few tips that are specific to goods and services.<\/p>\n

Services<\/strong><\/p>\n