Easy ways to make money for kids

Reviewed by Erika K. Oliver for Reader Views (5/06)

Reading “Weekend Entrepreneur” had me so excited to start a weekend business that I didn’t know what to research first. Face painting, selling secrets or becoming a mystery shopper! Anton and Basye-Sander have amassed a great selection of business ideas to get anyone started in owning their own business and earning extra cash. The authors’ goal is to help people start a small side business but any of these ideas could be turned into a primary income.

Part II of Weekend Entrepreneur is the meat of the book with business ideas organized in category: Making Money with a Strong Back, Creating and Selling Products and Services, Making Extra Money with Online Businesses and Internet Auctions, and Designing Seminars, Boot Camps and Events. Can you believe you can make money renting out space that isn’t yours? Did you know there is a demand for beekeepers? It is possible for a single-topic cookbook to net you a steady income?

The authors describe each business idea and tell a story to illustrate how someone started this type of business. They also share the skills required, start-up tools and expenses, and possible roadblocks or concerns. Anton and Basye-Sander are honest and encouraging. If your handwriting is good you may want to consider starting a calligraphy business. You will need some artistic talent and lessons (a source for free lessons is provided). Suggestions on pricing and how to market this service are included with the description.

I was so happy that the authors write well and did such a great job organizing the information so I could skip around and read the sections as they caught my interest. My only complaint is the last chapter, Spread the Word, is a weak description of marketing ideas and I recommend that the weekend entrepreneur visit books specifically on the topic of marketing. Actually, the best marketing tactic in the book is on page 42 when the authors share how window-washing entrepreneurs used thank you notes to grow their business.

I recommend this book to everyone – If you have a business and want to be inspired, if you want to start a business, if you work for someone but need a creative boost or if you have a young adult in your home with entrepreneurial inspirations. This is a fun and exciting read.