Teen hustle: empowering the youth to turn talents into cash!

Raising a teenager comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. One valuable life lesson is teaching them the importance of earning and managing money. Encouraging your teenager to take up a side-hustle not only helps them earn extra cash, but also instils a sense of responsibility, time management, and entrepreneurial spirit. Here’s how parents in South Africa can guide their teens in finding the perfect side hustle:

Embrace their talents and interests

The first step is to help your teenager identify their strengths and passions. Are they creative, tech-savvy, or good with kids? Business specialist, Dr Thommie Burger from JTB Consulting explains: “Parents can help their teenagers identify their strengths and interests by encouraging self-reflection and exploration. Ask your teenager to think about what activities they enjoy most, what subjects they excel in, and what hobbies they are passionate about. Encouraging participation in a variety of activities can also help uncover hidden talents. For example, a teenager who loves drawing and designing could explore a side hustle in graphic design.”

Here are some side hustles tailored to different interests: 

Tutoring: If your teen excels in a particular subject, they can offer tutoring services to younger students. This is especially relevant with South Africa’s education system, where extra help is often needed, says Natascha Koning-Dumon, team and client support consultant for BrightSparkz Tutors: “Tutoring in the STEM subjects category (especially Mathematics, Science and Life Sciences) is always in high demand, along with tutoring for the First Additional Language bracket, which is typically either Afrikaans or Zulu. Slowly on the increase, we also see learners with quite a need for assistance in Computer Applications Technology, as the subject grows. As a parent of a teenager myself, I find that using my daughter’s innate drive to earn her own money is a good way to coax her into focusing more on her studies and keeping her marks up. She is almost 16 and desperately wants to tutor other kids. To this end, I help her to find resources that she can use to improve her tutoring offering in the meantime, especially digital presentation skills. As an example, here’s a link to a free online teaching course which she was very keen to give a go. Showing your kids that you need to add value in the working environment is without a doubt a core skill for them to learn.” 

Digital skills: Many teenagers are proficient with technology. They can offer services like social media management, graphic design, or website development to local businesses. The growing digital landscape in South Africa means there’s always demand for these skills. Says Dr Burger: “The most marketable digital skills for teenagers today include graphic design, web development, social media management, and content creation. Teens can leverage platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to find freelancing opportunities. For instance, a teenager skilled in social media can offer services to manage small business accounts.”

Arts and crafts: Teens with a knack for creating, can sell handmade jewellery, art, or crafts. Platforms like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or local markets, are perfect for showcasing their talents.

Babysitting: If they enjoy working with children, babysitting is a great way to earn money. They can start by offering their services to family, friends and neighbours. It is a big responsibility however, so your teen should be trained in First Aid, and the weight of their babysitting responsibilities should be made very clear. 

Pet sitting/dog walking: For animal lovers, pet sitting or dog walking can be both fun and profitable. Many pet owners need trustworthy individuals to care for their pets while they’re away or at work.

Leverage online platforms

The Internet offers numerous opportunities for teenagers to earn money. Here are some online side hustles that could work for a digital-savvy teen:

• Freelancing: Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr allow teens to offer their skills in writing, graphic design, programming, and more.
• Content creation: If your teen loves creating videos or writing blogs, platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok can be monetised through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
• Online surveys and market research: Participating in online surveys and market research studies is an easy way to earn extra cash. Websites like SurveyLama and SurveyNow are popular in South Africa.

Encourage entrepreneurial ventures

Starting a small business can be incredibly rewarding and a great life lesson for your teen. Although the sky is the limit with regards to possible ventures – here are some innovative entrepreneurial ideas that could inspire:

• Car washing: Setting up a mobile car wash service in your neighbourhood can be a lucrative business, especially in urban areas where people are often too busy to wash their own cars.
• Lawn care and gardening: Offering lawn mowing, weeding, and gardening services can be a great way to earn money, especially during the growing seasons.
• Selling homemade goods: Encourage your teen to bake treats, make crafts, or create homemade beauty products to sell at local markets or online. 

Teach financial responsibility

Earning money is just one part of the equation. Teaching your teen how to manage their earnings is crucial, explains Dr Burger: “Learning about budgeting and saving from a young age is crucial for financial literacy. Parents can help by setting up a bank account for their teen and teaching them to budget through practical examples. A teenager managing earnings from a side hustle can learn to save for future goals, such as university tuition or overseas travel. Also, teenagers and parents need to understand the difference between saving and investing. Platforms like EasyEquities will allow one to invest as little as R100 in local and global shares.”

Here are some tips:

• Budgeting: Help them create a budget to track their income and expenses. This teaches them to prioritise their spending and save for future goals.
• Saving and investing: Open a savings account for them and encourage regular deposits. Discuss basic investment options, like savings bonds or mutual funds, to introduce them to the concept of growing their money.
• Setting goals: Encourage them to set financial goals, whether it’s saving for a new gadget, contributing to their education fund, or starting a bigger business.

Navigating legalities and safety

Chesney Bradshaw from ideaaccelerator.co.za says that safety is a vital consideration: “Be sure to always work safely – parental guardianship is required for selling to strangers. Parents must play an active role in ensuring the safety of their children and they should supervise their teen’s online business activity. The Internet is crawling with criminals.”

Dr Burger seconds this point: “When starting a side hustle, particularly online, parents should ensure their teenagers are aware of safety and legal considerations. Key safety tips include not sharing personal information and using secure payment methods. Legal considerations involve understanding tax obligations and complying with labour laws for minors. Consulting with a legal advisor can provide additional guidance.” He provides this useful handbook for start-ups to read through.

Regarding local regulations, in South Africa, teenagers (persons under 18 years old) face specific legal implications when working. They require parental consent to work, and their employment must comply with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Children’s Act. Restrictions include limited working hours, types of work allowed, and ensuring education isn’t compromised. Employers must adhere to these regulations to protect minors’ rights and wellbeing.

Finding a balance

Balancing academic responsibilities with side hustles ensures teenagers develop essential skills like time management, prioritisation, and discipline early on. Neglecting either can lead to academic setbacks or missed opportunities in personal growth and financial independence. It promotes well-rounded development and prepares them for future challenges in education and career pursuits. Dr Burger concludes: “Balancing academics with a side hustle requires effective time management. Teenagers should create a balanced schedule, prioritise tasks, and set realistic goals. Maintaining academic performance is crucial, and tools like Trello and Google Calendar can help stay organised. Parents should encourage their teens to manage their time wisely to ensure neither academics nor the side hustle is neglected.”

Does your teen have a side-hustle? Tell us in comments below.