Show teaches teens about business

Staff report

KENT

Teens can discover how to launch their own successful microbusiness in the new Western Reserve Public Media production “Micro Business for Teens: Starting a Micro Business,” which will premiere at 8 p.m. Thursday (it will be rebroadcast at 10 p.m.) on Western Reserve PBS (WNEO 45.1/WEAO 49.1).

Carol Topp, a Cincinnati-based certified public accountant, hosts the 90-minute program, which is based on her “Micro Business for Teens” book series. The program celebrates National Entrepreneurship Week, which continues through Saturday.

The show is designed to help teens discover a creative alternative to earning money in the highly competitive marketplace. The program will be released nationally to PBS affiliates in the spring.

“Micro Business for Teens: Starting a Micro Business” makes the very notion of creating a microbusiness an achievable goal for those who have a good idea and the enthusiasm to design and implement a plan of action. It discusses what a microbusiness is, gives examples of businesses suitable for teens, offers instruction on writing a business plan and financing the business and more.

Topp presents the content in seminar style with a live studio audience of Northeast Ohio teens, parents and educators. The program also features six teens who are already operating a variety of profitable micro-businesses, including Aundrea Doe of Youngstown.

“Entrepreneurship is key to our economy and, according to the Small Business Administration, has been the fastest-growing segment in the current recession,” said Trina Cutter, president and CEO of Western Reserve Public Media.

Topp owns and operates her own home microbusiness through which she provides income-tax preparation, small- and micro-business consulting and nonprofit accounting services.

She is the author of seven books on the home-schooling sector and on self-employment, including a four-book series under the “Micro Business for Teens” umbrella title. Additionally, she has published numerous articles, presented workshops and delivered public speeches on the business of home schooling, finance and micro business for teens.

For free information and resources from Topp about starting a micro- business, go to microbusinessfor- teens.com.