Reading for Fun and Profit: Part One of Five

August 24, 2010

As a teenager, I began five successful hobby businesses, just by browsing the shelves at my local MCPL. When I was a teenager, I worked at the library putting books away. One day, I stumbled on a book about breeding cockatiels for fun and profit. I had a pet cockatiel and decided to follow the book’s instructions to buy a mate for her and build a nesting box. That bird laid eggs right away, and my flock of pets grew. For years after that, I raised hand fed baby birds which fetched a premium at the local pet stores. My birds were so tame and friendly, unlike birds from more commercial operations, from all the attention they received. It was good pocket change for me as a teenager, and fun memories I relish today; all because of a library book. I don’t raise birds anymore, because I’ve moved on to other books and hobbies, but if you are looking to find an entrepreneurial endeavor of your own, try starting with a book like Show Me the Money! : 101 Money-Making Projects For Kids by Bonnie Drew.

Check back with me next month and I’ll tell you the rest of the story.

Tiara D.
Edgerton