Running a Business and going to College

**Encrypted** · 11-29-2008 05:41 PM

How many of you are successful at going to college and running your business at the same time? I know it has to be difficult, but is it difficult to the point in which you are about to fail out of school or are you pulling it off?

**Brainy** · 11-29-2008 08:12 PM

I am 43 now, here is a brief overview of my college education

1) Right out of high school - Started in Engineering School, also joined a Fraternity, put about 65% effort into school and 35% effort into social life, the result was poor academics yet a ton of social fun

2) Age 23: Went back to college after being in the workforce for 3 + years, got my college degree while I also worked full time, the result was that I was ready to commit to good grades and was very interested in my intellectual abilities, and working full-time made me focus on studies and I had no time for parties etc. Got all A's and B's- plus felt good that I paid for my school, bills, rent, food, etc. Increased my confidence in myself, my future, and my abilities - I guess...

**Phranksizzle** · 11-29-2008 08:37 PM

I'm only taking one class this semester and I'm dropping out next semester. Until I get my business established I won't go back.

**Mital** · 12-02-2008 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Yusio

How many of you are successful at going to college and running your business at the same time? I know it has to be difficult, but is it difficult to the point in which you are about to fail out of school or are you pulling it off?

It really depends what type of business it is. If it's a brick and mortar business, where you have to be there, it can be tough. It's a different story with an internet business, in some instances it can be easier than having a job. With my business, I work anywhere form 2-4 hrs a day when it's convient for me from wherever I am, I could of easily done it while I was in college.

Just out of curiosity, if your already running your own business, how is college going to help?

**Encrypted** · 12-02-2008 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mital

Just out of curiosity, if your already running your own business, how is college going to help?

It's mainly just to get my parents off my as*.

**byrneof** · 12-02-2008 07:09 PM

I suppose it's down to good time management. It also comes down to your course content. If you are naturally gifted at your course or your course compliments your business you might pull it off.

**Brainy** · 12-02-2008 10:44 PM

Starting a business does "sound" like a good idea, in fact if wealth is something that you are seeking than you'll find that a higher percentage of wealthy individuals do own a business. The hurdle is the mindset in thinking that "starting a business equals wealth". It doesn't. Most everything in this life requires some degree of experience (learning) before a person can be successful at an endeavor.

I didn't go to college for business or entrepreneurship, but I would have done so if I knew what I know today. When I went to college at age 18 I certainly had no idea what the real business world was like at all. Who does at 18?

Some younger people seem to think that avoiding college in an attempt to run a business is a smart idea, they believe that somehow college will delay their "success" at business. I guess I would disagree, and would guess that if you were to talk to many of the wanna be business owners that talk to either business coaches or the SCORE advisers you'll find them telling you that college is beneficial in many cases, and they might also be able to share with you that many of the individuals that they have consulted with have not been a success, or their businesses have failed.

I will say this from experience, any (also) business takes money to run. At least any form of business that I have been in or have studied takes money to get it up and running. Generally an enterprise creates more debts not less debts. Effort is great, but will not pay the debts/bills. So unless you have 3-5 years of liquid assets or cash available to inject into the business, going into a solo entrepreneurial venture might not really be a great idea. Do you have (1) Money, and (2) Experience?

I guess that business experience, I am saying years of experience working and running a business, is what most wanna be business owners lack. I would also say, from my studies and reading, that many successful entrepreneurs are now successful because of the business experiences learning in running and failing in several previous businesses. Generally the first business, the second business, and who knows perhaps up to the 5th, 7th, or 10th business start up is initially packed with emotion but lacking experience.

It's like saying "I'm gonna go swimming" without ever having had a swimming lesson or being in the water before - so you jump straight off into the ocean hoping to swim - chances are the first attempts will not result in your becoming a successful swimmer. Swimming Classes/Education would have helped you initially "start" to learn how to swim, and perhaps even taught you to practice the fundamentals and understand some of the dynamics of floating and treading water in the water.

Teachers and Coaches have a purpose in our lives, YET it is up to the student to pursue the right teachers and coaches and also "make the best of the circumstance" in any educational pursuit.

It is up to the student to get the most of the opportunity, to ask all the questions, to be motivated to learn the subject matter, otherwise going through the motions of going to college to simply "do it" is not really using all the resources to your advantage. True. ?

**pboychuk** · 12-03-2008 01:16 AM

Well, i would say college is the best time to start and run a business. I have a steady income and only have to work 1-2 hours a day. Also, I am developing and launching many more businesses. College is great, I have very few obligations, no debt, low expenses, free time. If you cant run a business in college, good luck running one when you graduate.

I will admit my grades are taking a hit, i am getting Bs instead of As, my choice, basically because I know I will work for myself for the rest of my life and studying is becoming less and less appealing. Thankfully I banked As my first two years so my GPA isnt going to get destroyed.

**leggomygreggo** · 12-08-2008 08:06 PM

I think its a good idea to go to college and start a business. I'm assuming that since you are just starting college you probably don't have entrepreneurial experience. Thats fine. The only way to get experience is to just get out there and do it. Are you gonna succeed? Who knows. Is it gonna be easy juggling school, your business, and your social life? Absolutely not. But if you truly want to own a business and become wealthy you have to try. Yes you might fail but who hasn't?

Also, by going to college while you are starting your business you get to learn while trying to make money. There is always something you can learn and the more knowledge you have about business the better prepared you will be to succeed

**Encrypted** · 12-08-2008 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Brainy

Starting a business does "sound" like a good idea, in fact if wealth is something that you are seeking than you'll find that a higher percentage of wealthy individuals do own a business. The hurdle is the mindset in thinking that "starting a business equals wealth". It doesn't. Most everything in this life requires some degree of experience (learning) before a person can be successful at an endeavor.

I didn't go to college for business or entrepreneurship, but I would have done so if I knew what I know today. When I went to college at age 18 I certainly had no idea what the real business world was like at all. Who does at 18?

Some younger people seem to think that avoiding college in an attempt to run a business is a smart idea, they believe that somehow college will delay their "success" at business. I guess I would disagree, and would guess that if you were to talk to many of the wanna be business owners that talk to either business coaches or the SCORE advisers you'll find them telling you that college is beneficial in many cases, and they might also be able to share with you that many of the individuals that they have consulted with have not been a success, or their businesses have failed.

I will say this from experience, any (also) business takes money to run. At least any form of business that I have been in or have studied takes money to get it up and running. Generally an enterprise creates more debts not less debts. Effort is great, but will not pay the debts/bills. So unless you have 3-5 years of liquid assets or cash available to inject into the business, going into a solo entrepreneurial venture might not really be a great idea. Do you have (1) Money, and (2) Experience?

I guess that business experience, I am saying years of experience working and running a business, is what most wanna be business owners lack. I would also say, from my studies and reading, that many successful entrepreneurs are now successful because of the business experiences learning in running and failing in several previous businesses. Generally the first business, the second business, and who knows perhaps up to the 5th, 7th, or 10th business start up is initially packed with emotion but lacking experience.

It's like saying "I'm gonna go swimming" without ever having had a swimming lesson or being in the water before - so you jump straight off into the ocean hoping to swim - chances are the first attempts will not result in your becoming a successful swimmer. Swimming Classes/Education would have helped you initially "start" to learn how to swim, and perhaps even taught you to practice the fundamentals and understand some of the dynamics of floating and treading water in the water.

Teachers and Coaches have a purpose in our lives, YET it is up to the student to pursue the right teachers and coaches and also "make the best of the circumstance" in any educational pursuit.

It is up to the student to get the most of the opportunity, to ask all the questions, to be motivated to learn the subject matter, otherwise going through the motions of going to college to simply "do it" is not really using all the resources to your advantage. True. ?

All true I suppose, but I am basically teaching myself at home right now before college, what I will be learning once I enter college. I was planning on going for Computer Science or something and as of right now I am reading multiple books on Windows Programming c/c++ and all that stuff. I know college would help me with all of that but still.... Anyway, I didn't exactly ask if you thought I should go to college or not, I asked if you had trouble handling your business and going to college at the same time.

**chrispalko** · 12-11-2008 11:46 AM

I'm a computer programming major taking 4 classes while doing web/graphic design. As long as you have your priorities straight, you'll be fine.

I plan on running successful businesses and having a computer programming degree as my "backup" in life.

Again, keep your priorities straight and you'll be fine. If someone or something is not having a positive effect on your progress to your goal, drop it.

Good luck.

**Allurre** · 12-16-2008 05:36 PM

I started my own business in my junior year. You need to make sure you are well tuned to time management, and set realistic goals. Don't rush. Place priorities where they really belong.

**broyaz** · 12-28-2008 06:31 PM

That's exactly what I'm doing right now.

I'm a full-time student running my own online network of blogs and Web sites. Because it's something I can do over the internet, it certainly makes life a hell of a lot more easier to manage between classes and working on my business.

The thing is, I've never been a great student. In high school I got Bs, and now in college I get Bs and Cs. Are my parents thrilled? Absolutely not. But it's something that I love and have high hopes for.

So I guess it really depends on what your business entails.

**brandon123** · 01-19-2009 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by Phranksizzle

I'm only taking one class this semester and I'm dropping out next semester. Until I get my business established I won't go back.

I agree...I'm working on my online business as well before I go back to school. I know by the time I get ready to go back to school I won't be doing it to graduate and get a good job. I'll be doing it for the college experience.