Course 1: Business Basics — How Business Really Works

Level: Beginner (Ages 13–18)

Format: Self-paced course with 5 lessons

Duration: 5–7 hours

Outcome: You will fully understand what a business is, how it works, and how to come up with strong, realistic ideas.

Welcome Message from TeenBiz

“Behind every great product or service, there’s a story of someone just like you — who saw a problem and created a solution. In this course, we’ll take you step by step through how business works in the real world, and how you can be the next one to start.”

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will:

Know the core components of any business (product, audience, profit)
Identify different business models and types
Understand how businesses earn, spend, and grow
Learn how to generate original, relevant business ideas
Be able to describe what makes a business successful in the long term

Lesson 1: What Is a Business?

Theory:

A business is an organized effort to sell a product or service in exchange for money — but it’s also more than that. A real business solves a problem. Whether you’re selling lemonade or launching an app, your goal is to bring value to someone.

Key Concepts:

Product = physical or digital item (bracelet, T-shirt, app)
Service = doing something for others (editing, tutoring, babysitting)
Value = the benefit the customer receives

Real-Life Example:

Maya, 15, saw her classmates struggling with messy homework. She made a fun planner with stickers, reminders, and motivational quotes. She now sells it on Instagram and at school events.

Mini Assignment:

Identify 3 small businesses in your area. What problems do they solve?

Lesson 2: Types of Businesses

Theory:

Not all businesses are the same. Some sell physical items, some offer experiences. Some work online, others in your neighborhood. Choosing the right model depends on what you want to do, your skills, and your budget.

Business Models:

Product-based: Handmade goods, digital downloads, resale
Service-based: Tutoring, coaching, design work
Hybrid: You sell a product and offer a related service
Online: Social media stores, websites, apps
Offline: School markets, fairs, door-to-door

Activity:

Make a chart with 2 columns: “Online Business Ideas” and “Offline Business Ideas.” Add at least 5 to each.

Lesson 3: How Businesses Make Money

Theory:

Every business needs to make money to survive. But how? The key is understanding three concepts:

Revenue: total income (e.g., 10 sales × 3000₸ = 30,000₸)
Expenses: costs (materials, packaging, delivery, ads)
Profit: revenue minus expenses (e.g., 30,000₸ – 10,000₸ = 20,000₸)

Simple Example:

You make and sell 20 bracelets at 500₸ each. That’s 10,000₸ revenue. You spent 4000₸ on beads and packaging. Your profit is 6000₸.

Assignment:

Choose a business idea and calculate potential income, costs, and profit for the first 10 sales.

Lesson 4: How to Come Up With a Great Business Idea

Theory:

Most successful businesses are born from a single idea: solving a problem. The best way to find a strong idea is to observe, ask, and listen.

Sources of Ideas:

Your own problems (e.g., “I lose time scrolling — I’ll make a productivity tool.”)
Problems of others (interview 3 friends: what annoys them daily?)
Trends + gaps (e.g., eco-friendly versions of common products)