Business ideas for teens often grow from the things they are already interested in. For Jai, that interest was technology, gaming and the idea of designing, making and selling an app.
At 13 years old, Jai was full of energy for his new enterprise idea. But as he quickly discovered, turning a tech idea into a real business can come with plenty of roadblocks.
Business Ideas for Teens: Jai’s App Developer Enterprise
Jai was super motivated and was like a bull at a gate with his new enterprising idea, which was to design, make and sell an app.
For those of you who are not geeks and are unfamiliar with the terminology, an app basically means application software for a device such as an iPhone, iPad or computer.
Jai’s idea was exciting because it connected directly with something he already loved — technology and gaming. At 13 years old, he could see that apps were becoming a huge part of the world, and he wanted to learn how to create one himself.
Turning a Tech Interest into a Teen Business Idea
Jai bought an Apple App developer licence under his Mum’s name and downloaded all the software onto his school’s Apple computer. This was a computer he was able to loan on a permanent basis until he left school. Lucky boy!
He then poured through the various emails and instructions and did whatever was required to get himself underway.
This is one of the exciting things about business ideas for teens. As children get older, their ideas often become more complex. Instead of selling a simple product or offering a basic service, they may begin exploring technology, design, online tools, digital products and more advanced enterprise ideas.
Apple’s own Developer Program gives developers access to tools and resources for creating and distributing apps and games, so Jai was stepping into a very real-world learning space.
There Are Ups and Downs
The process proved to be very challenging and it wasn’t long before Jai was faced with a huge roadblock.
He was stumped!
The information and requirements were very complicated and technical, and Jai really needed professional help to get him through it.
I could see his spirits dropping fast, so we sat down for a chat about roadblocks.
Business Ideas for Teens Need Roadblock Thinking
When you are building up an enterprise idea, it is important not to get bogged down by all the “what ifs”. If we all did that, we wouldn’t get past first base.
Whatever enterprise you choose to do will have roadblocks, and you will need to troubleshoot a way to get around them.
Firstly, it is important to come up with an idea and build it up. Then the next step is to work out a general plan for developing the idea into an enterprise. This means identifying each of the development stages.
From there, you can think about the detail and consider the roadblocks for Stage One.
Jai’s Stage One App Developer Plan
So Jai and I considered his Stage One plan.
The plan was to become registered as an app developer, download the software, then become familiar with the software.
Jai’s roadblocks were:
- the software was not loading correctly onto his computer;
- the software was difficult to understand;
- he didn’t know how to get started with using it.
So we planned a simple strategy to deal with these roadblocks.
We were going to be in Geraldton for a holiday in a few days. Jai’s strategy was to pay a visit to our successful app developer friend and ask him to help him get started.
Finding a Mentor
That he did, and when I saw Jai next I could see the spring back in his step.
He now had new understanding and some direction. He had also opened a line of communication with an expert, who could possibly become a mentor down the track.
Having a mentor is one of the proven best ways to a successful business.
This is an important lesson for raising entrepreneurial kids. Children and teens do not need to know everything before they begin. But they do need to learn how to ask for help, find people who know more than they do, and keep going when the first roadblock appears.
When One Problem Creates Another Problem
What Jai learnt was that, for the software to work properly, he needed to download another program onto his Apple computer.
So when he arrived back to Burekup, he downloaded the program, which seemed to sort the software issues. It looked like he was now finally ready to get going with it all.
He headed off to school that Monday, only to arrive home later that day without his computer and looking very frustrated.
Apparently, when he went about his online school work, he found that all the school programs he used were no longer compatible with his computer.
He paid a visit to the school’s computer tech, who identified what had caused the problem: Jai downloading this new program!
He wasn’t very happy with Jai.
He said that the computer would need to be wiped clean and completely reconfigured, then reloaded with all the school’s programs again. To top it off, Jai was told that it might take a few days to get it sorted.
Not good news at all!
More roadblocks!
What Jai’s App Idea Teaches About Teen Enterprise
Jai’s app developer idea is a great example of how business ideas for teens can stretch them into real-world problem-solving.
He had to deal with:
- technical language;
- software requirements;
- computer compatibility problems;
- needing expert help;
- frustration and disappointment;
- the reality that a good idea is only the beginning.
That is the real value of these experiences. Teen enterprise is not just about the end product. It is about the thinking, troubleshooting, persistence and maturity that develop along the way.
Those are powerful mindset, confidence and leadership lessons.
Key Takeaway: Business Ideas for Teens Need Persistence
Key takeaway: Business ideas for teens can be more complex than simple childhood enterprises, but they also teach deeper lessons. Jai’s app developer journey shows that roadblocks, mentors, technical problems and persistence are all part of turning an idea into something real.
What will Jai do next with his enterprising idea? We will revisit his journey as an app developer in a later blog. It will make interesting reading with some hard lessons learnt!
Next up, we will touch base with Kaitlin and see how she is progressing with her enterprising idea.
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