Starting a schoolyard hustle is much easier than it seems, so if you want to make some more money as a minor then here is an easy way you can earn some! This includes some of my personal experience as a side hustler, and the trials and tribulations of the process.

Step one, would be to scope out the target audience, also known as your classmates and school friends. What do they like, and what will they be willing to buy? (Note: Please do not take this to mean you should sell Vapes, Drugs, or Alcohol to minors at your school)

In my case, a lot of people had been complaining about the prices at our school canteen, and one person had already capitalised on the situation by selling Whittakers chocolate at almost half their common store retail price, but had run out too quickly, only making about $40 real dollars, before business dried up. So I decided I’d do what he did, but better, by selling snackboxes with chocolate, popcorn, cookies and fruit lollies, for a few dollars more than the mini-chocolate bars. I originally began selling to my class, and housemates, making about $15, then I sold the rest at a class auction making about $50 in 10 minutes.

Step two, is checking in with the school staff. If you ask your teacher before starting your business venture, then you are 75% less likely to be shut down. Most teachers will simply ask for it not to interfere with class time, but it’s always good to check. If you think the school will object to your business, then it’s better to check.

Step three, make sure you do the maths! Is it likely you will make a profit from this idea? Can you keep it going for at least a week? How are you going to keep track of prices and sales in order to not undercharge or overcharge your customers? I used a doc and spreadsheet to keep track of the prices, so anything free like Google Sheets or Excel works well!

Step four, think like a businessperson. Make sure you don’t give your friends free merchandise as you will lose money, and people may bully you into giving them free things, if you give one person their order for free.

Good luck with your side hustles!