Money Minute: Fall Into Entrepreneurship

With the fall season upon us and the autumn leaves floating, our minds turn to Halloween that just passed and the multiple holidays that will soon occur: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. In addition, some of us may suffer from S.A.D. - Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Well, I’ve got a cure for that; make some money! 

Fall is a wonderful time for you and your children to engage in entrepreneurial endeavors. This “Money Minute: is about making money during the holiday season.

Fall festivals abound. This is a perfect way to sell your products or advertise your services. Assess the skills of your household and general family members. Who knits and/or crochets? Who bakes a mean cherry pie? Who has great sewing skills? Who has way too many of something such as shoes, hats, model trains, etc. that could be sold at an event for vendors? Greeting cards or inspirational note-cards on quality paper may be the business that allows you to show your creativity (or that of the many software and online applications that make designing easy).

As a financial literacy and youth entrepreneurship educator, I have taught and even created a formal lesson plan on Halloween.

Many churches do a Halloween alternative such as a Harvest Festival. While I may not celebrate it for religious reasons, I know that billions of dollars are spent by consumers every Halloween between costumes, makeup/cosmetics, decorations, candy, etc. Statistics state that last year consumers spent a record breaking $12.2 billion dollars during the Halloween season. Can you design and sew costumes? Are you good at face painting? Can you create a fall season gift basket? Why not take a slice of that economic pie next year?

Although the focus turns to Christmas earlier every year, do not rule out Thanksgiving as a money maker. Creating fall inspired products such as a cinnamon or apple pie scented bath scrub and candles or fall themed gift baskets can help you rake in the bucks. (You see what I did there? :-) Rake, as in raking leaves that are falling in the fall season...Oh, never-mind...)

For Hanukkah or Channukah, known as the Festival of Lights, you may decide to design a 9-branched Hanukkah menorah (candelabra) or add artistic touches to one already created.

Perhaps design some greeting cards with both the English and Hebrew languages. When planning for this religious and cultural holiday, keep in mind that this eight day/night festival takes place according to the Hebrew calendar on the 25th day of the month of Kislev (November - December) therefore, it will not begin during the same day every year as with our Gregorian calendar. This winter season, Chanukah is celebrated from December 25, 2024, through January 2, 2025.

Christmas needs no introduction, so to speak.

There is ongoing debate as to whether it is a religious holiday versus secular. Whatever your school of thought, you must admit that Christmas becomes increasingly commercial each year. For those of you who choose to use grandma's pie and cake recipes in your entrepreneurial endeavors, know that you may be required to have a permit to bake certain quantities of baked goods for sale, even if it is out of your own home kitchen. I also suggest that you consider a housecleaning service as many people need their homes and apartments spruced up for the holidays and are just too tired and busy to do it themselves with all of the other tasks and holiday events. (Wow! I did it again…”spruced up” as in spruce trees.)

Consider also Kwanzaa. This post Christmas holiday, which was designed for Black Americans, is built around the Nguzo Saba – seven (7) principles in the Swahili language that are reflective of various communal practices throughout the continent of Africa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). A different principle is celebrated, in order, for each of the seven days.

This holiday is perfect for creating colorful posters, educational materials, and even clothing and accessories. My friends, Andrew and Mailaka Wells, have a business that is Kwanzaa centered. It is truly a family affair as each member of the family – two parents and four children - have defined roles in the creation, advertising, and sales of their company’s products. Having interviewed them on a radio broadcast, I sensed the sheer joy and passion that all of them have for the family business. Check out their products: https://thekwanzaacompany.com or click here. Kwanzaa means “first fruits” in Swahili. So be fruitful this holiday season and sow seeds of entrepreneurship.

I would be remiss if I did not suggest that you shop local. Intentionally seek out the goods and services of local small businesses. You can help drive the economic engine of your city, town, and county. This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 30, 2024. May autumnal elements cause you to fall into entrepreneurship! Get a free Financial Needs Analysis: Call (484) 416-0442 or (609) 908-2827 Use code AC Focus.

(Paula Goddard is a contributing writer for Atlantic City Focus. She is an award-winning writer, personal finance advisor, community organizer, and educator. She can be reached via social media @paulasuniverse and via email at paulagoddard@atlanticcityfocus.com and via telephone at (609) 908-2827.)

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