How to Start a Business as a Student in SA

Are you a student in South Africa full of ideas and thinking of starting your own business? You're not alone – lots of young people just like you are going into entrepreneurship, and with the right help, you can too.

Not only is it a great way to empower yourself, but it’s a great remedy for the student-living budget, so you’ll be able to do A LOT more.

This guide is here to walk you through everything you need to know—from coming up with unique business ideas to balancing school and your business, understanding the legal stuff, and much more – all to help you to start your business and take charge of your future.

First thing’s first…

Before you start any business, it's super important to figure out what you’re passionate about (and good at).

Think about it—if you’re working on something you love, it won’t feel like work at all! Your interests and skills can lead you to a business idea that’s not only fun but also rewarding.

Here are some business ideas that are perfect for students in South Africa:

1. Freelance Writing

Are you good with words? Freelance writing might be the business for you.

You can write blog posts, articles, or marketing materials for companies or individuals. The best part? You can do this from anywhere, like your room, a park, or even a cosy coffee shop, plus it’s flexible and fits nicely into a busy student’s schedule.

To get started, you can check out websites like Fiverr or Upwork where you can offer your writing services.

2. Blogging

Got a favourite topic you just LOVE to talk about? Why not start a blog? Sites like WordPress or Blogger make it easy to share your thoughts online with your own professional website.

And, as you grow your blog, you can even start earning money through ads or sponsored posts.

Plus, blogging helps you build essential skills like writing, planning, and marketing, which are super useful in any business environment.

3. YouTube Channel

Love being on camera? Consider starting a YouTube channel.

Whether you're into gaming, makeup, music, or crafts, there’s a global audience out there just waiting to connect with you. It takes time to build a following, but with creativity and consistency, you can eventually earn money through ads and sponsorships.

Need some guidance? Check out YouTube Creators for tips on getting started.

4. Online Marketplace for Crafts

Are you crafty? You could start an online store to sell your handmade items or even local products. This is a great way to support local artists and tap into the demand for unique, handmade goods.

Platforms like Etsy or Hello Pretty can help you showcase and sell your creations to a larger audience.

5. Tutoring Services / Selling Notes

If you’re really good at a specific subject, why not offer tutoring services?

You can help younger students with their studies while making some extra money. It’s a win-win. Start with classmates or neighbours, and as word spreads, you can expand.

You can also use online platforms like Superprof to offer your tutoring services.

If you make really good and comprehensive study notes, you can make a bit of extra money selling these – a lot of other students are willing to pay for good notes.

6. Pet Services

Love animals? Start a dog-walking or pet-sitting business.

Many pet owners need help, and this type of work can easily fit around your school schedule. With more and more people getting pets, services like Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers are in high demand. You can advertise your services in groups online for your area and on social media.

Plus, spending time with animals can be a great way to relax and de-stress from your studies!

7. Social Media Management

If you’re savvy with social media, you can help small businesses or local brands manage their social media accounts.

Many businesses don’t have the time or expertise to handle their social media presence, so they look for people who can create content, schedule posts, and engage with their audience. You can start by offering your services to local businesses or family friends who own businesses.

Websites like Hootsuite offer free courses to help you learn the ropes.

8. Photography Services

Are you good with a camera? Consider offering photography services for events, portraits, or product photos.

With a decent camera and a bit of creativity, you can start a photography business. Start by offering your services to friends, family, or local businesses, and build a portfolio to showcase your work.

As your skills grow, you can start charging more for your services.

9. Graphic Design

If you’re artistic and have a good eye for design, you can start a graphic design business.

You can create logos, business cards, flyers, or social media graphics for local businesses or individuals. You don’t need expensive software to start—there are free tools like Canva that you can use to create professional-looking designs.

As you gain experience, you can invest in more advanced software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

10. Event Planning

Are you super organised and love planning parties? You could start an event planning business.

Whether it’s birthday parties, school events, or small community gatherings, there’s always a need for someone who can handle the details and make sure everything runs smoothly. Start by planning events for friends or family to build your experience, and then expand your services.

11. Personalized Gift Services

If you’re creative and enjoy making unique items, you can start a personalised gift service.

You could create custom mugs, t-shirts, or even handmade cards. Personalised gifts are always in demand, especially around holidays or special occasions.

You can sell your items online through platforms like Etsy or Hello Prett, your own website / social media, or even offer them to local stores.

12. Lawn Care and Gardening

If you enjoy working outdoors, consider starting a lawn care or gardening business.

Many people are happy to pay someone to mow their lawn, trim hedges, or take care of their garden. You can start small by offering your services to neighbours and expand from there.

As you gain more clients, you can invest in better equipment and take on larger projects.

13. Errand Service

People are busier than ever, and they’re often willing to pay someone to help with errands like grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, or delivering packages.

If you’re responsible and have some free time, you can start an errand service in your local area. Start by offering your services to family, friends, or neighbours, and build your client base from there.

14. Tech Support

If you’re good with computers and technology, you can offer tech support to people who need help with their devices.

From setting up new gadgets to troubleshooting problems, there’s always someone who needs a tech-savvy person to help out. You can start by helping friends and family, and as your reputation grows, you can expand your services.

15. Reselling Products

If you have an eye for bargains, you can buy products at a lower price and resell them for a profit. This could be anything from clothes and accessories to electronics or collectibles.

You can find items at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces and then sell them on platforms like eBay, Yaga, Facebook Marketplace or even Gumtree.

It’s a great way to make money while learning about the basics of buying and selling.

For even more ideas and inspiration, check out these guides we’ve put together on starting a business with no money & starting a business without stock or How to Start a Dropshipping Business.

They’re full of creative business ideas perfect for students like you.

Balancing Schoolwork and Running a Business

Okay, so starting a business while you’re still in school might sound tough, but don’t worry—it’s totally doable. With a little planning and discipline, you can excel at both school and business.

Here’s how to manage your time like a pro:

Create a Schedule

Use a planner or an app to block out specific times for schoolwork, business tasks, and, of course, some chill time. Breaking your day into smaller, manageable pieces helps you stay organized and makes sure you’re not overwhelmed.

Apps like Google Calendar or Trello can be super helpful in keeping everything on track.

Set Priorities

When you’ve got a lot to do, it’s important to figure out what’s most important. Start with the tasks that have the closest deadlines or the biggest impact.

That way, you’ll make sure the crucial stuff gets done on time, and you’re not left scrambling at the last minute.

Learn to Say No

It’s easy to want to do everything—hang out with friends, join clubs, start a business.

But sometimes, you’ll need to say no to some things so you can focus on what really matters. It’s okay to prioritise your business and schoolwork—your friends will understand, and you can always hang out later when things aren’t so hectic.

Take Breaks

Don’t forget to take breaks! Working non-stop might seem productive, but it can lead to burnout. Make sure you schedule some downtime to relax and recharge.

Whether it’s a quick walk, a chat with a friend, or a few minutes of mindfulness, taking breaks will help you stay sharp and focused.

Legal Requirements for Registering a Business

Now, let’s talk about the legal stuff.

If you want to run your business officially, you’ll need to follow certain legal steps. This might sound a bit boring, but it’s really important to get it right from the start.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Choose a Business Structure

First, decide how you want to structure your business.

Do you want to be a sole proprietor (be responsible for the business on your own), start a partnership with someone else, or maybe even create a private company to protect your own finances from business debts?

2. Register Your Business

Once you’ve chosen your business structure, you’ll need to register your business and its name.

It’s important to pick a name that’s unique and not already taken by another company. You can check the availability of your business name with this nifty company name search tool.

Once you find an available name, you can register it online with the CIPC.

Registering your business is the first step to making it official, and you can do it as soon as you're 18 or older.

Why You Should Register Your Business

• A registered business looks more professional and trustworthy to customers and partners.
• Registering your business name ensures nobody else can use it.
• Many businesses and clients prefer to work with registered companies.
• Banks and investors are more likely to support a registered business – so you can get funding.
• Your personal assets will be protected even if your business gets into debt.
• You’ll be eligible to apply for government contracts.

You can get all of your registration documents sorted out in one place online with Govchain.

3. Licenses and Permits

Depending on what type of business you’re starting, you might need specific licenses or permits.

For example, if you’re opening a food-related business, you’ll need a health and safety permit. If you’re selling products, you might need a trading license.

Make sure you do your research to find out what’s required for your industry.The South African Government Services website is a great place to start.

Getting Support from Your Community or School

Starting a business can feel like a big task, but the good news is, you don’t have to do it all on your own.

Your community and school can offer a lot of support. Here’s how you can tap into those resources:

Join Entrepreneurship Programs

There are tons of programs out there designed to help young people like you become successful entrepreneurs. These programs often offer mentoring, workshops, networking opportunities, and sometimes even funding.

For example, Teen Entrepreneur is a fantastic organisation that helps South African teens and students to get started in business.

By joining programs like this, you’ll meet other young entrepreneurs and experienced mentors who can guide you along the way.

Connect with Local Business Leaders

Look around your community for successful business owners.

They’ve been through the ups and downs of starting a business and can give you great advice – and will usually be more than happy to share some wisdom, so don’t be scared to reach out. You can contact people really easily via LinkedIn and online forums.

You never know—a simple conversation could turn into a mentorship that changes the trajectory of your life, so put yourself out there.

For more info on youth entrepreneurship programs, check out the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). They offer lots of resources and opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Common Mistakes Students Make When Starting a Business

Starting a business is super exciting, but it can also be tricky.

Everyone makes mistakes, especially when they’re just starting out. But the good news is, you can learn from the mistakes others have made.

Here are some common pitfalls young entrepreneurs face and how to avoid them:

1. Lack of Planning

It’s easy to get excited and want to jump right in, but not having a clear plan can cause confusion later on. A business plan is like a map that guides you toward your goals – it should outline what your business is, who your customers are, how you plan to reach them, and how you’ll manage your money.

If you’re not sure where to start, you can use this free One Page Business Plan Template.

2. Underestimating Costs

Starting a business can cost more than you think.

From buying supplies to marketing your business, it all adds up. Make sure you budget carefully and plan for both expected and unexpected costs. You might even want to set aside a little extra money for surprises.

3. Poor Time Management

Balancing school, business, and personal life can be tough.

Without good time management, it’s easy for things to start slipping through the cracks. Make sure you set clear priorities, use a schedule, and stick to it. Tools like Todoist can help you keep track of what needs to get done.

4. Trying to Do Too Much

When you’re full of ideas, it’s tempting to try and do everything at once. But spreading yourself too thin can lead to burnout and lower the quality of your work.

Focus on one business idea at a time, and once that’s going well, you can think about expanding or exploring new opportunities.

Embrace the Journey

Starting a business as a student is about way more than just making money. It’s about learning, growing, and discovering what you’re capable of.

You’ll face challenges along the way, but that’s all part of the adventure! Each challenge is a chance to learn something new and get better at what you do. So, embrace the ups and downs with a positive attitude, and remember that every successful entrepreneur has faced obstacles and come out stronger.

You’ve GOT THIS!

As a student entrepreneur in South Africa, you’re standing on the edge of an incredible adventure, and a massive opportunity. With passion, dedication, and the right resources, you have the power to create something truly amazing. Stay focused, seek out support, and keep learning from your experiences. The skills and lessons you gain now will help you build a successful business and prepare you for whatever the future holds.

Now you’re ready to take that first step and register your business.

If you need any help along the way, our Support Team is here for you. We want to see you THRIVE!