Is it illegal to run a mini business without a permit?

[TRish]

The legalities depend on your jurisdiction, not only the country, but also the city. I suggest you ask your parents or a teacher if they can help you research the requirements for a small business in your area. You may find that your type of business does not require any type of permit, but if it does, you can learn what you need to do to apply for one. If paperwork is needed, it is likely that your parents will have to sign something because you are a minor.

Because selling is not allowed in school (and I can see why; it can get to be a distraction from learning), I suggest you try a different business model that is somewhat popular in the U.S.: selling at parties. The way it works is that someone hosts a party at their house and invites their own friends. They let them know when they invite them that although there will be refreshments and games, there will also be an opportunity to buy pendants. (This lets them know to bring money, and also keeps them from being irritated when you get up to give your sales pitch.) The host of the party is responsible for inviting people and for having a nice party atmosphere with refreshments. You are responsible for selling your goods.

To encourage people to host parties, print up a coupon for anyone who hosts a party that gives them a discount of 2% per guest who shows up at their party. (For example, if 5 guests, not counting you and the host, show up, you will write in the coupon "10%" for the discount.) They can use this coupon the night of their party to buy themselves your merchandise at that discount. After someone has hosted a party, give them a referral coupon: If they get someone else to host a party, then at that party, they can use the coupon to buy merchandise at the same discount as that host. This gives people an incentive to provide you with opportunities to sell your goods. The actual selling is then up to you.

As you go along, you may develop more products to sell, including some that you may buy in bulk from another supplier instead of making yourself, to sell at a markup. The more interested people are in the goods you offer, the more likely they are to come to a party where they know you will be selling.

Whatever method you choose for marketing your goods, I wish you all the best in your business.