Need some brainstorming help

OK, Sowpub thinkers. You guys are full of great ideas that keep me coming back to this forum for fun and education.

Now here's the challenge.
I am looking for a part-time business that I can run side-by-side with my high-school son. Jobs for teens are tough to come-by here, and what I'd like to do three fold:
1) supplement my own income (very important)
2) provide a opportunity for my son to earn some coin, too
3) develop something that my son can operate through his high school years, and possibly during college.
4) I can spend some money to get rolling (actually, very little in the overall scheme of things), but it will be necessary to find something fairly "cheap" to make this viable.
(Wow, this is going to be a tougher challenge than I thought!)

Adding to the challenge:
1) going to need something that interests "the boy," so he'll have "veto power" on any idea ...
2) this will have to be something that we can work on flexible hours, after the business day and on Saturday and/or Sunday.
3) ideally, this would be something that will require some hands-on effort (in other words, I would love to help him turn into a teen-aged internet-cash-machine, but I think he would rather spend his computer time playing World of Warcraft, so getting him away from the PC and "focusing" on making a buck will be helpful.

I already socked him with an idea involving a lawnmower or two, but the economy has created an incredible glut of grass-smiths/landscapers in our densely populated area. also, the price of admission (equipment purchases beyond our one "residential use" mower) is a major obstacle.

I was hesitant to post this request of ideas, but decided this could be some good grist to get some nice "the-weather-is-getting-better-let's-go-make-some-money" discussion going.

Thanks! In advance!!

I just saw Martin's thread about making $40 a day.
There's some great ideas there, and some may be applicable in my case.

I will certainly consider all of them, so please don't feel the need to share the same info a second time! I know you guys are all working hard to make your own money!

[GordonJ]

Here is an off the wall idea for you.


Of course I'm going to say CHATTELING. But in your instance, I'll get specific.


This idea has no out of pocket expense, just use your printer and some paper.


Divide the paper into 8 parts (two columns by four) Now write the following:


I BUY GAMES. HIGHEST CASH PAID.
CALL “Sonny Boy” at 555-1212


Then copy and paste this ad into all 8 areas. Print out several copies. Cut out the “cards”. Have your son distribute these at the school, to friends, at college dorms, frat houses.


Take a ride to the retail stores, and especially the “used” game stores, like Game Stop for example and see what the different games are selling for and what they are buying and paying. This is your research.


Now offer the first kids with a specific game, say Tiger Woods Golf, a premium price which is more than they could get at Game Stop. After the first acquistion, you drop the amount you pay way lower.


With just a couple of hundred dollars, you've created a Game Thrift for you and your son.


Now start to SELL and to RENT the games out. Once you have a stockpile you can have a private lending library, for a set fee per month. Depending on where you live, this could grow.


Once a quarter, have a GAME DAY TOURNAMENT. This would involving renting a hall, having different games that could be entered, an entry fee, donated or wholesale prizes...and once a year host a BIG Tournament, offering some really cool prizes, like Apple stuff (of any kind).


Since he is involved in gaming, chances are he is up on the latest and knows the market. Easy to learn after a few visits to the game stores.


Another piece of chattel you can look at are BMX Bikes. LOTS of these on the market, a large demand for them, simple to transport, easy to sell. All the better if he gets into “fixing” them up...he could create a nice sideline business for you both...or you could become the bike expert.


I think you need to create a money making opportunity which will hold his interest, keep him involved, a part of a big market, something you can continue to do when he leaves the nest or moves away.


Think of GAMING as one possibility. Musical instruments (if you have time to learn about them), BIKES or maybe even used Apple Cell phones. Take advantage of what your son knows and likes and it will be a lot easier to lead him to water he wants to drink. Good luck.

Start with chatteling as a fast cash opportunity to learn and teach some of the skills of operating a business.

Gordon Alexander

Gordon this is a great idea.

This would work great with adults to. At every job I've worked at...when lunch time came the younger guys would go on and on about video games. Certain games like modern warfare, madden etc could have themed events planned around them to go along with new releases.

Keir

Thanks for the extensive response Gordon. As always, you are the man.

Also, thanks to Linda for reaching out.

Sowpub is a great forum, a great community. Always helpful!

Address curb painting

Painting address numbers on driveways and curbs. Cost under $10 to startup (Materials you can get at walmart!)

And the best time to do it is about 5pm-9pm (or until dark) Any day except Sunday. (Sundays seem to be bad)

Window washing is similar except better during business hours.

I've got a few ideas.. you can start a catering service or a painting service.

Thanks for 'chirping' in, songbird (pardon the play on words).

First post! Wow! welcome. So much good stuff packed into the threads on this forum. come back often and enjoy the information you'll find here.

Hi Robert,

LindaC here.

Could you provide us with an update as to what you and your son decided to do inorder to earn money?

Linda, thanks for asking.
Our progress has been slow ... trying to find something that interests both of us, and will fit in our available time to make it practical.

We are giving serious consideration to the Address America opportunity, which has been mentioned in this forum often in the past.

But the boy seems set on doing something online. I don't want him to think the internet is a path to easy money, but I do feel that allowing him to try to make a few bucks with an offer on Fiverr for some kind of info in a decent niche might be a nice start ... a little work, a decent plan ... a little more work, adjust/improve the plan ... if just a few dollars followed, it's "mission accomplished." At least for Phase I!

Thanks again for asking ... and for helping!