The most important thing for a young person trying to start his or her own business is to find something he or she cares about enough to really work at and that there's a need for in the community. He or she knows the community better than someone who doesn't live there possibly could. That said, young people can provide many services to earn money. Doing simple household repairs for those who are not technically inclined, running errands, or waiting for repair people while clients are at work are all good. And many young people are much more adept than adults with computers, and that kind of help is much appreciated and may be better paid than other areas.
Young people have some real advantages in starting their own businesses.
They don't have to worry about what's going to happen to the mortgage payment if the business doesn't take off. They are also much more flexible than many older workers who are used to working for large corporations. Many low-income kids, in particular, have enormous strength and determination, which are essential to entrepreneurship. In your book, you say budding entrepreneurs become better citizens. They realize that other people are potential customers, suppliers, and mentors and that they have to treat them with respect.