Remember summer jobs as a teenager? Those summer jobs can be an important step in helping making decisions later in life about what really interests you and are also a great way for teenagers to learn the value of money. We recently caught up with sixteen year old local Chiswick resident Alfie Howell who took the initiative and set up his own small business selling mobile phone covers. West London Mum bought a couple and were thrilled with their purchase! We talked to Alfie about his motivation and drive to start up his own side venture.
In addition to selling his mobile phone covers, he’s also available for general errands and babysitting in Chiswick.
Tell us a little about yourself?
My name’s Alfie and I’m 16 years old and have just finished my GCSEs at Chiswick School. I love sport, music and film.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to start my own business because I wanted my own money to spend over my rather long summer period. I’d much rather be working for myself and learning through a new experience than have my parents nagging me all summer to find a job that I won’t even enjoy.
What are you saving up for?
I’m not really saving up for anything. I just want to have my own money for the summer, especially because I’m going abroad for a couple of weeks. Having said that, I’d love a Mac because I’ll hopefully be studying music tech at A-level next year.
and your plans for the summer?
My plans for the summer are to try and earn as much as possible before the end of July when I go away. I’m looking to do any sort of errands and other small bits of work where possible in order to earn some more money on the side of my phone case business.
Top three tips for budding teenage entrepreneurs?
Well I don’t feel I’m really in the position to be providing any tips yet, but I’d definitely say – make sure you have a simple product and that you understand and are passionate about it. If you don’t like it, neither will the buyer.
Favourite place to eat in West London?
Probably Byron or Hawksmore in Covent Garden — however my favourite one off was The River Cafe, for my sixteenth birthday as I love Italian food.
Favourite song of the moment?
My favourite song at the moment is one of Ben Howard’s unreleased tracks which I heard at his Hammersmith Apollo gig a few weeks ago, called ‘The Burren’.
To see Alfie’s range of covers and to reach him click here
