New online resources for teen business start-ups launched: The U.S. Small Business Administration and JA Worldwide come together to aid young entrepreneurs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced the launch of new online sources for young entrepreneurs at the Mind Your Own Business teen Web site www.mindyourownbiz.org, to help young entrepreneurs succeed in the business.

The SBA and JA Worldwide (Junior Achievement) have teamed up to develop three new Mind Your Own Business resources: a student activities guide, a volunteer guide and an assessment tool. The assessment tool, titled "Start it, Grow it, Own it," compliments the student activities and volunteer guides. Each of these resources is available at the www.mindyourownbiz.org Web site, which is cosponsored by JA Worldwide.

"Make It Your Business"

Titled "Make It Your Business," the student activities guide includes an interest inventory and group activities designed to provide teens the fundamentals of business ownership. The volunteer guide instructs group leaders through student business sessions that can be implemented in the classroom, in student clubs or in an after-school setting.

The SBA and JA Worldwide introduced the Mind Your Own Business teen Web site to provide support to the growing interest in entrepreneurship among teens, and to serve as a small-business portal for youth entrepreneurs.

The Mind Your Own Business Web site introduces five easy-to-navigate steps on business ownership for the entrepreneurial-minded teen, each with helpful information for young entrepreneurs who want to start, run or grow their own businesses. The five steps include exploring interests and possible business matches, deciding if one is geared to be an entrepreneur, recognizing legal and financial requirements, networking and reviewing resources.

Other Resources

Also visit the International Franchise Association's Web site at www.franchise.org. Select "Education" and then "Programs and Scholarships" to become familiar with available association resources for entrepreneurs just beginning to consider the benefits of franchising or others who have already determined that this business method is the right option for them.