February 15, 2016 By Malla

Winter Blizzard = Cold Hard Cash for Your Daughter

This winter has hosted some FIERCE storms. And while many are home trying to stay warm, it’s a great time for your daughter to head outdoors. She can turn her talents into a cold hard cash.

Start a snow shoveling business!

I know. I know. It’s hard work! But it’s also quite lucrative.

The elderly and disabled need extra help.
And even those who don’t wish getting cold need extra help. They would much happier paying a motivated team of young shovelers to complete the task.

I noticed something interesting after our three storms this year. There are fewer young people offering to shovel. I didn’t have anyone approach me to assist with my car this year. And there are tons of young people in my area. So there is less competition and more opportunity!

Set up is easy. Follow the three steps listed below. Your daughter can have a functioning business in less time than it takes for the next storm to rain down another fifteen inches of snow.

Step 1: Plan

What’s the geographic area that your daughter wants to visit?
- You can keep it hyper local to your block. Or you can walk to a nearby area where there aren’t many young people willing to shovel.
How much does your daughter want to charge?
- I recommend she focus on a few services like driveways, sidewalks and/or cars. Don’t feel compelled to do everything. Focus on what will have the biggest demand and be the most fun to complete.

Step 2: Payment Options

Give customers a variety of payment options. It will help garner more “yes’s” than “no’s”.

You can opt for cash only, cash and checks, and/or electronic payment – ie Paypal.
- Electronic options are great for those who didn’t visit the ATM before the storm.
If you are tech savvy, Paypal and Square have mobile options allow you to swipe credit cards via your phone.
- **Make sure an adult supervises your transactions.

Step 3: Marketing

Marketing this business is eassssyyy! You’ll have more demand than you have energy to shovel!!

You can get creative and post flyers. Or just knock door by door as a team.
If you use flyers, make sure your contact information is listed clearly so customers can easily place their order.

Wishing you the best with your new business!!

Ava’s Pet Palace: Organic Treats for Cats and Dogs

My name is Ava D. and my business is Ava’s Pet Palace.

Photo by Natalie Navarro at https://www.facebook.com/natalienavarrophotography

Tell me about your business? I’ve always loved animals and knew that I wanted to work with them. I officially started my business when I was 8 years old. But I’ve had the idea of Ava’s Pet Palace since I was 6 years old! I make organic, natural and limited ingredient dog and cat treats. The mission of my business is to serve animals in a fun and loving way! When I’m older I plan to have a stand-alone building, the real Ava’s Pet Palace and become a veterinarian. My animal palace will house a veterinary hospital, a pet daycare, a pet-friendly restaurant, a pet store, a play area for animals and an adoption center.

How did you come up with the idea? I’ve loved animals ever since I can remember. I care a lot about what they eat. I noticed a lot of the treats we were feeding our animals had many bad ingredients. And that’s why I wanted to make organic, natural, and limited ingredient treats. After asking my parents for about a year to start my business, they decided to help me. There are a lot of things I didn’t and still don’t know, but I asked a lot of questions! For my treats, I researched healthy ingredients for cats and dogs and started to make different treats. I tested them on my own pets! My parents both have experience starting a business and really helped me. We then researched the licenses and insurance I needed for my treats and were ready to sell!

What are your favorite things about being young, female and entrepreneurial? I love being able to try new things and to be my own boss. Setting short and long term goals, that I work to reach, is also a fun part of the entrepreneur process.

Have you dealt with any challenges? Being young, sometimes people don’t take me or my business seriously. This can sometimes be a disadvantage, but I’ve tried to use it to my advantage. Instead of letting it get me down, I use it as motivation to be even better!

Any advice for young female entrepreneurs who are still just planning or thinking about starting a business? My advice is to go for it! My parents always tell me to try new things and if it doesn’t work out, at least you tried! If you start a business you have to love it, because you have to dedicate yourself to it. It won’t always be fun, but you have to remember that you are working towards a bigger goal.

Read This: How Can Entrepreneurship Help Your Daughter Build Self Confidence?

Three tips that Ava has for readers:
1. Do your research and make sure you test your products before you start selling them
2. Start with an idea that you are passionate about
3. Be willing to get your parents’ support and try new ideas!!

If you want to get in contact with Avas Pet Palace here is the contact information:

IG – @avaspetpalace

FB – https://www.facebook.com/avaspetpalace/