The Grass Doctor

Can I legally hand out flyers for a lawn mowing service?

I'm 13 and I live in SC. Someone told me that I can't hand out flyers advertising a lawn mowing service of mine, they said that I would need a business license. The problem is that I'm not old enough for a business license and they cost $100. Is this true, do I really have to have a business license in order to post flyers?

Public Comments

1. Pssh... that's silly. You should be able to hand out flyers. If for any reason you get stopped by a cop, just feign ignorance.
2. No, you will be shot. Don't do it.
3. In some places you probably do have to have a business license. But there are plenty of places that will let you post. Where I live, the kids around your age usually post in our local supermarket on a little bulletin board at the entrance. A lot of family-owned businesses will also allow you to post at their establishment. It's sad we live in a society where a kid who WANTS to work can't because of some stupid, meaningless piece of a dead tree.
4. It depends on where you hand them out. If it's in front of the grocery store and they have a rule against it then no. Check around.
5. Here are some tactics: Put flyers on windshields; at convenient store windows(ask the owner/manager first); and advertise on Craigslist.com
6. Check with the city where you live. They may not allow handing out fliers. One thing comes to mind, go to your local grocery store and see if they have a bulletin board and ask the store manager if you can post a fliers on the board. If they do not have a board, perhaps you might be able to hand then out to customers as they leave the store, however get the manager's permission to do so. Try going door to door and offering your services in your neighborhood. One thing you may not do is put them in mailboxes it is illegal to do so. Good luck