Teen entrepreneurs have so many more options today than ever before when it comes to starting their own businesses. Whether you want to create and sell a product or offer a service to the public, there are many resources to choose from in order to find success. For young people who are neurodivergent, starting and running a business can provide several benefits, including boosting their confidence, allowing them to express creativity, and developing problem-solving skills that will be advantageous down the road.

If you have a great idea and are ready to become a business owner, it’s important to get organised and learn all you can about the process of getting a start-up off the ground. You can also look for support from organisations like Anna Kennedy Online, an advocacy organisation for autism awareness.

Here are a few tips when you’re ready to get started:

Build a solid business plan

The first thing you’ll need to do is create a business plan, which will act as a guide for you and for any investors or lenders who need to know what your company is all about. Your plan should include details such as exactly how you’ll sell your services or products, how many employees you’ll have, where your business will be located, how much funding you need (and where you’ll be acquiring it, such as through loans or grant programmes), and which business structure you’ll be utilising. Common structures include limited companies, sole proprietorships, and partnerships; read up on the rules for forming a particular structure to get started.

Get some training

Once you have an idea of the type of business you want to start, think about how you can stay motivated and ensure success. If you’ve already passed your A levels or are about to, consider moving on to advanced education and learning more about business so you’ll be better prepared to run your own. You can earn an online degree in marketing, business management, or management and leadership in order to ensure that you’re ready to tackle everything entrepreneurship will throw at you. Take a look at various online course options, which will give you flexibility so you can learn on your own terms.

Learn money management

Whether you choose to pursue higher education right now or not, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about finance and money management for business. It’s crucial to understand the importance of staying on top of your cash flow and building a budget that works for your needs, as these things can make or break your business. Look for tools that will help you with accounting practices, such as helpful software that keeps track of receipts and invoices so you can easily manage income and expenses.

As you encounter resources online for growing your skills, you may want to save a page to refer to later when you may not have internet access. Fortunately, saving a page in Chrome is simple and straightforward. This way you can read and reference pages from your computer or mobile even though you don’t have an internet connection.

Give self-employment a try

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought of starting your business right now, consider holding onto your business plan for the moment and scaling down a bit. Try becoming a self-employed freelancer first, which will allow you to get a feel for entrepreneurship without the pressure of running a large company. If you have creative skills, you can find plenty of part-time freelance work as an illustrator, copywriter, or photographer on an online job board.

While you may need to be eighteen to sign up, these job boards will connect you with potential clients who can read reviews of your work, find out more about your experience level, and see how much you charge. Most freelancers charge between £15 and £30 per hour, but you may be able to make more depending on your skill level. Look for ways to boost your creativity, then put together a stunning portfolio to show potential clients.

Starting a business as a neurodivergent young person can come with a few challenges, so look for support from friends and family and start networking with other business owners. This is a great way to find a mentor who can help you through the most difficult aspects of getting your start-up up and running. For more useful advice and resources for those with autism and their families, visit Anna Kennedy Online today!

By Jenny Wise

Anna Kennedy Online would like to introduce to you a new innovative, exciting, and unique opportunity called First Steps!!!

If you have an online business idea or have recently started an online small business, you could be eligible to apply to First Steps with an opportunity to win a start-up grant of £1000 along with mentoring support for one year.

This is a unique programme of professional support that aims to help anyone to turn their business ideas into a start-up or to further develop their start-up business.

For anyone on the autistic spectrum wishing to take part in applying for the First Steps please complete the online application form and present your online business ideas to a panel of experts.

Applications close on 30th November 2022, and we look forward to hearing from you. Good luck! ​

Click here for details