I'm currently in college and have decided that owning my own small business is how I want to make a living. I know the kind of retail products I want to sell, (I've done a little research on current economic trends and their relation to my career goals) and am passionate about doing whatever it takes to succeed. I want to have the best possible academic preparation to assist me in attaining my business goals, and I know that an MBA or some such degree is beneficial for this, but I want to hear from self-employed business owners who know what it takes in the real world to have a competitive edge and a firm foundation for beginning this venture. So what type of college degree will propel me towards success the most? Thanks in advance to all who can help!
I have to agree with BobbyKuba back on page 1: It's not that formal education
is totally useless. It can be helpful. It's just not very efficient (or
cheap!). You are truly better off just starting ... perhaps failing a few
times ... but just starting your small business. You will get the best
education from the experience of actually running a small business. If you
fail once or twice, that's ok. Many of us had a few false starts. Go for IT!
MLMJunction | Window Shopper |
7/10/2012 - 6:29 am
Show Replied Text…
I have to agree with BobbyKuba back on page 1: It's not that formal education is totally useless. It can be helpful. It's just not very efficient (or cheap!). You are truly better off just starting ... perhaps failing a few times ... but just starting your small business. You will get the best education from the experience of actually running a small business. If you fail once or twice, that's ok. Many of us had a few false starts. Go for IT!
100% a degree is useful but not essential. The best skill you can learn is
that you can have is be prepared to take risks and also be prepared to fail.
Even famous world business leaders like Henry Ford or sportsmen like Michael
Jordan have failed before. A famous saying is that 'it doesn't matter how
hard or how many times you get hit, it's how many times you get back up that
will determine if you are succesful.' So you will fail or something will not
work out for you but keep going and keep the end goal in sight. Good luck
Jessie,
It may matter somewhat, what types of retail products you wish to sell, tough a degree in Business Administration with a specialization that best matches your interest would be ideal. A specialization in Marketing is excellent.
The reason, in my view, for the specialization in Marketing is because it will develop a hard wired mentality within you on how to view a potential product, how to view a potential customer, and the various ways one may have a domino affect on the other. You will be able to think critically about the advantages and disadvantages of all your products, new products, and how to sell a product.
Take any classes on sales that are offered and read a few books on sales while in college. Many books on "sales" are as much an understanding of psychology as they are on sales. They will help you sharpen your realization of such things as it's not how great your product is and how well you explain to the customer how great your product is, but rather finding out what your customer's ambitions and goals are, and how your product will help them get there.
Test how strong your passion is. On weekends when you have time, how often do you want to do some things related to your field and ambtion, and take action on it? Will there be many times when you really want, and do things to figure out, test and maybe embark on a small venture as a test of your idea? Can you obtain a small number of your product now and try to sell it now on a very small scale to see what happens? Find out pitfalls, difficulties and successes now?
Put yourself out there. Do things you are not normally comfortable doing. Make it where you are not comfortable only doing the safe things. Ask a merchant to carry your product. Get shot down, it will make you smarter and stronger later when it matters more.
Jessie,
You have made a bold decision. I manage a small blog. It's about financial trends, issues and how to address those. I hope you will be benefitted from that as well. Good luck on your plan. The site is www.takeshiyashima.com
Didar.
You've got the main ingredients for success already: A well researched idea, and passion. Getting an advanced degree is probably not even necessary. Do it for personal reasons, perhaps, but you will learn your business by doing it.
EA
BobbyKuba | Window Shopper |
10/15/2011 - 11:41 am
Hi Jessie,
I have 2 degrees (business and design) and I can tell you honestly that the best thing you can do for yourself is to just jump into business. You will learn 10 times more in the first 2-4 months working in business than you will ever learn in any school. And you will not waste your time dealing with the stuff you are not going to need. I think most entrepreneurs will agree with me....
MLMJunction | Window Shopper |
7/10/2012 - 6:30 am
Show Replied Text…
Hi Jessie,I have 2 degrees (business and design) and I can tell you honestly that the best thing you can do for yourself is to just jump into business. You will learn 10 times more in the first 2-4 months working in business than you will ever learn in any school. And you will not waste your time dealing with the stuff you are not going to need. I think most entrepreneurs will agree with me....
If you ask me college is a must in order to have a safety net for cases you will not succeed as a SB owner.
Surely, a more scientific degree (engineering/computer science) will probably provide a better safety net in terms of salary, however - I don't think that a specific degree will determine whether you'll succeed as an SB owner or not. You seem passionate and rational - those are the key factors rather than a specific degree.
BUT DO GO AND EARN SOME EDUCATION!!:)
udaysalunkhe | Window Shopper |
10/5/2011 - 6:32 am
the basic thing you need to know is just concentrate on college study as money might runied it so be carefull i had a bad experiance and i got fail due to self earning during college days. so eduction is must... you can join ur business after complision as well :D
regards
SellRex | Window Shopper | 7/9/2012 - 7:32 pm
is totally useless. It can be helpful. It's just not very efficient (or
cheap!). You are truly better off just starting ... perhaps failing a few
times ... but just starting your small business. You will get the best
education from the experience of actually running a small business. If you
fail once or twice, that's ok. Many of us had a few false starts. Go for IT!
MLMJunction | Window Shopper | 7/10/2012 - 6:29 am
cwill184 | Window Shopper | 7/5/2012 - 2:39 pm
that you can have is be prepared to take risks and also be prepared to fail.
Even famous world business leaders like Henry Ford or sportsmen like Michael
Jordan have failed before. A famous saying is that 'it doesn't matter how
hard or how many times you get hit, it's how many times you get back up that
will determine if you are succesful.' So you will fail or something will not
work out for you but keep going and keep the end goal in sight. Good luck
wsan12 | Performer | 10/25/2011 - 7:41 pm
Didar | Performer | 10/25/2011 - 6:55 am
etapplen | Window Shopper | 10/19/2011 - 1:37 am
BobbyKuba | Window Shopper | 10/15/2011 - 11:41 am
MLMJunction | Window Shopper | 7/10/2012 - 6:30 am
yonireshef | Window Shopper | 10/8/2011 - 7:13 am
udaysalunkhe | Window Shopper | 10/5/2011 - 6:32 am
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